Laplap Sashimi, Tuna Tekka Maki, Asahi Super Dry
Lapulapu sashimi, tuna tekka-maki, and Asahi Super Dry are Japanese dishes and beverages offered at Misaki Bistro, a Japanese restaurant located in ""Little Tokyo"" in the Makati district of Manila, Philippines. These items incorporate locally sourced fresh ingredients and authentic Japanese cooking techniques, gaining popularity among Japanese expatriates, local residents, and visiting tourists. Lapulapu sashimi features slices of a premium fish caught off the Philippine coast, tuna tekka-maki is a traditional thin rolled sushi, and Asahi Super Dry is a well-known Japanese dry lager beer. Together, they represent the adaptation of Japanese food culture to the local setting and its international spread.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 735 Philippine Peso
- Meal Date
- 2/24/2024
- Food Travel Log
- Third stop in Little Tokyo: Misaki. Overwhelmed by the vast Japanese menu, I ordered lapu-lapu sashimi. It was firm and tasty, but not as fresh. The tekka maki had fragrant nori and solid tuna, but the rice was a bit hard. The extensive sake menu was a plus. I was highly satisfied with little to complain about.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Lapu-Lapu Sashimi
Lapu-Lapu Sashimi is a dish served by thinly slicing the premium white fish "Lapu-Lapu" (Japanese: Madarahata) raw, following the traditional Japanese sashimi style. Lapu-Lapu is abundantly caught in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines and is known locally as a symbol of good fortune. Its flesh is refined white with a slight translucency, characterized by a delicate flavor and subtle fat content despite its light taste. While Lapu-Lapu is not common in Japan, it is increasingly being served as sashimi in Filipino restaurants and Japanese eateries both domestically and abroad, using freshly sourced Lapu-Lapu.
Lapu-Lapu in Food Culture
Within Filipino food culture, which is strongly influenced by Chinese cuisine, Lapu-Lapu has traditionally been prepared in a variety of ways, such as steamed whole or in sweet & sour sauce. Recently, however, as Japanese cuisine gains popularity, it has also been adopted as an ingredient for sashimi and sushi. From a Japanese perspective, Lapu-Lapu is often compared to high-end fish like sea bream and flounder due to its firm texture and refined taste, but it is especially noted for its light, mild flavor unique to tropical fish. It pairs well with various condiments, soy sauce, and citrus-based jellies.
Maguro Tekka Maki
Tekka Maki is a traditional Japanese sushi roll made by combining vinegared rice, fresh lean tuna, and fragrant nori seaweed. It has been a classic menu item since the Edo period, with its name said to come from the energetic work of sushi chefs at gambling dens ("tekkaba") and the vivid color of the tuna. Today, it is loved worldwide, including within overseas Japanese communities such as in Manila, where it is a staple menu item. The pairing of good-quality tuna and crisp nori enjoys high recognition even outside Japan.
Asahi Super Dry
Asahi Super Dry is one of Japan's leading beer brands, first released in 1987 by Asahi Breweries (now Asahi Group Holdings). It is a modern lager distinguished by its "dry" (crisp and unsweet) profile, characterized by a clean finish and refreshing aftertaste, making it exceptionally compatible with Japanese cuisine and seafood. Not only popular in Japan, it is also widely served in Japanese restaurants and upscale establishments across the world, including Southeast Asia. It combines easily with locally sourced sashimi and sushi, making it a staple beverage supporting the global Japanese dining experience.
About Misaki Bistro in "Little Tokyo," Makati, Manila
"Little Tokyo" is a Japanese district located in Makati, part of Metro Manila in the Philippines, known for its concentration of Japanese restaurants, izakaya pubs, and specialty food shops. Since the 1990s, the area has developed alongside the increased presence of Japanese companies and expatriates, earning support not only from Japanese residents but also from Filipinos and locals of various nationalities. Misaki Bistro is highly regarded as one of the Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo, featuring a rich variety of Japanese dishes, fresh ingredients, and an extensive selection of sake and beers. While upholding the traditions of Japanese cuisine, its innovative use of local ingredients has greatly contributed to the spread of Japanese food culture in the Philippines.