‘Watamazing’ dishes at Watami

Fresh from his multiple victories at the Philippine Culinary Cup of the World Food Expo where he was judged Chef of the Year 2014 with a medal haul of five golds and five silvers, The Bistro Group executive chef Josh Boutwood wields his magic ladle once again, not to please the judges this time but to amaze regular diners at Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant with his “Watamazing” new dishes.

After all, Watami is not just about ramen, rice bowls or tonkatsu. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu — from sushi, sashimi, skewers and hotpots to stone pots and so much more — to satisfy whatever cravings diners may have.

“In any restaurant, the menu gets boring after a while,” says chef Boutwood as he lets us sample the Spicy Salmon Tempura Roll. “Sure, you’ll always come back for your favorite dishes, but sometimes you may also want to try something different so you may not suffer from taste fatigue.”

Our eyes rolled with delight as we indulged in the fried tempura-style sushi roll. The spicy salmon is complemented by the sweet taste of the yakitori sauce.

If it’s beef you like, try the Yakiniku Beef Roll. The delicious layers of yakiniku beef with sweet Anko paste sushi roll is something to live for.

Aside from his interesting maki selection, chef Josh also whipped up a steaming rice dish (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl Set) topped with chicken chunks perfectly cooked in scrambled eggs; a bowl of Ebi Tonkotsu Ramen with shrimp skewers; and Sumo Wrestler Hotpot, a delish combo of tofu, pork belly, fresh mussels, clams, squid and shrimps simmered in butechige soup and tategi paste. Using the freshest ingredients, chef Josh’s meals are worth the calories.

“The secret to a good Japanese meal is freshness,” he adds. “You start with great ingredients and work your way up to the presentation.”  

According to chef Josh, it took him and the Japanese chefs — who flew into Manila for the collaboration — two months to conceptualize the new menu.

“We want to have an authentic Japanese flavor. If we did it without the supervision and assistance of my Japanese counterparts, we would fail on the authenticity factor — the tradition and culture of Japan — because our palate isn’t trained for it. The collaboration started as soon as I briefed them (the Japanese chefs) about what the Filipino diners want at the moment (ramen and takoyaki),” explains chef Josh.

The Japanese snack takoyaki was made popular by a street vendor named Tomekichi Endo in Osaka in 1935.

At Watami, there are several takoyaki flavors to choose from. There’s the Omatsuri Takoyaki (coated in a special sauce, sprinkled with Aonori and bonito flakes topped with mayo); and the Kansai-style Takoyaki with Mentai Cheese (drizzled with tempura flakes and topped with Mentai cheese). The bite-sized treats explode with flavor with every bite. Eat them while they’re hot.

EVERYTHING’S YUMMY AT WATAMI

Rooted in the “Ishokuya” concept, which features a balance of three elements: delicious food, great ambience and good service, Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant is the brainchild of Japanese businessman Wataname Miki, who in 1984 aspired to launch a dining destination that would bring smiles to guests. The concept was widely accepted, and by the early 1990s, Watami became an Asian sensation.

“Watami’s concept is all about providing a variety of delicious and authentic Japanese food in a casual environment at an affordable price,” notes Lisa Ronquillo, AVP-Marketing, The Bistro Group. “While we keep the traditional Japanese taste in our dishes, the interiors of the restaurants depict a modern Japanese lifestyle.”

Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant at the new East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City sports a casual look and ambience enhanced by its modern interiors.

“And since it carries the authentic Bistro Group of Restaurant signature service, guests are given the utmost customer care the moment they enter the resto,” enthuses Lisa.

Indeed, amazing things are now happening at Watami!

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Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant has branches on the second floor, Veranda/Bayside section of SM Mall of Asia; sixth floor, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City; and the ground floor of The New Glorietta Mall, Ayala Center, Makati City.

For reservations, call 836-7141.