Botejyu: Beyond Okonomiyaki and Okosoba, and A Look at its Flagship Store in BGC!
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| Botejyu Flagship Store at One Bonifacio High Street |
When it comes to cuisine, give me Japanese food everyday and I'll take it! Japanese cuisine has grown a special place in my heart... or tummy, and I know it's the same for a lot of Filipinos that's why you can find several Japanese restaurants in the country. There are various ramen houses, sushi places, teppanyaki or katsu restaurants popping up all over the Metro. But this restaurant I visited is special because it is Japan's pioneer Okonomiyaki and Okosoba specialty restaurant -- Botejyu.
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| modern Japanese vibe |
Despite already having several branches, Botejyu's 13th and Flagship Restaurant opened officially last March 01, 2019 (soft opening since February 12, 2019) at the 3/F One Bonifacio High Street. It has a simple yet modern Japanese vibe and they even have a small function room for intimate gathering.
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| view from the other end of the resto | Function Room |
Before we indulge with food, here's a quick trivia about Botejyu. You might be wondering where the word "Botejyu" came from. Doesn't sound Japanese, right? Well, because it is not. It is a combination of two words: "bote" (the sound of a just-flipped okonomiyaki) and "jyu" (the sizzling sound when cooking on teppan grill). Onomatopoeia! Not only its unique and creative name will stick to our minds, but also their flavorful dishes reflective of Japan's true taste.
Premium Moonlight Oko (395Php)
Beef, pork, shrimp, squid, and fried egg
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| Premium Moonlight Oko |
Okonomiyaki in Botejyu roots back to 1946 in Tamade, Osaka, around the time Japan still suffered from post-war aftermath. It was Eikichi Nishino of Botejyu who developed okonomiyaki from American flour available at that time, and topped it with mayonnaise.
Fast forward to seven decades later, here we are, enjoying authentic okonomiyaki. This Premium Moonlight Oko is recommended if you have to choose among the okos. It is loaded with meat and flavor, but remains fluffy and soft on the inside.
Beef and Negi Okosoba (430Php)
Beef and spring onion
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| Beef and Negi Okosoba |
With Botejyu's creativity, they were able to develop Okosoba -- a combination of okonomiyaki and yakisoba. As this contains noodles, expect this to be more filling. The flavor and umami are still there.
Takoyaki All-Star (245Php)
Sauce & Mayo, Spicy Mentai Mayo, Umami Sauce & Mayo, Salt Garlic Sauce, Tomato Sauce, and Thick Spicy Sauce
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| Takoyaki All-Star |
I have a confession to make, and I've probably mentioned this before -- I'm not a fan of takoyaki... before. I find the texture too squishy and I cannot take it. But then I learned that not all takoyaki are like that. I just have to find the good authentic ones. And yes, the ones from Botejyu are great! Still not my favorite Japanese food, but something I would eat compared to before. Go for their Takoyaki All-Star. Just be warned that there are two spicy flavors.
Pork Paitan Ramen with Char-siu (425Php)
Thick pork broth combined with the magical oil is the secret to this flavorful soup. Try it once, and no doubt you will be addicted
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| Pork Paitan Ramen with Char-siu |
This is the greatest surprise when I dined in Botejyu -- their Pork Paitan Ramen with Char-siu. Being an okonomiyaki and okosoba specialty restaurant, it is expected that their okos will be great. But their ramen, it's a "wow!" from broth to noodles, char-siu and even tamago. The broth is rich but not overwhelming. The soft char-siu and perfectly-cooked tamago added variety, flavor, and texture. Even the noodles added to the wow factor with its right bite.
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| Pork Paitan Ramen with Char-siu | Pork Paitan Ramen with Char-siu |
Shrimp Tempura Platter (340Php)
Tempura is one of the representative Japanese food. Enjoy the natural and the umami flavor of the ingredients
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| Shrimp Tempura Platter |
Shrimp Tempura Platter is a nice addition to your table with its crunchy breading and good combination with the sauce.
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| Shrimp Tempura Platter | Amiyaki Grilled Pork Rice Bowl |
Amiyaki Grilled Pork Rice Bowl (325Php)
Local specialty of Hokkaido originating in Obihiro over 90 years ago. This rice bowl dish is topped with pork grilled with a special soy sauce-based savory-sweet sauce
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| Amiyaki Grilled Pork Rice Bowl |
If you're going solo and wanted to dine in Botejyu, no need to worry as they have rice bowls. Huge rice bowls, I must say, such as this Amiyaki Grilled Pork Rice Bowl. Not for a light eater as each bowl is filled with Japanese rice, salad, and grilled pork slices smothered with sweet and savory sauce.
Amiyaki Grilled Pork Kalbi (regular - 295Php, for sharing - 545Php)
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| Amiyaki Grilled Pork Kalbi |
Also available in for-sharing serving size.
Green Tea Ice Cream (85Php)
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| Green Tea Ice Cream |
I love Botejyu's Matcha Ice Cream. You can feel the earthy matcha taste but not too strong to turn you off. It remains delicious as it is without being too milky or too creamy.
Honey Toast
with Brown Sugar Syrup and Creamy Kinako (Soybean Powder)
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| Honey Toast |
Another dessert I love -- Honey Toast! There's honey and caramel, vanilla ice cream on top of crunchy toast. So simply put together but so satisfying. So no, don't skip dessert when you dine in Botejyu as they have simple yet good selections.
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| Honey Toast with Brown Sugar Syrup and Creamy Kinako |
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| my Honey Toast! |
There you have it! A peek at Botejyu's flagship restaurant at the 3/L One Bonifacio High Street, recommended Okonomiyaki and Okosoba, plus all other authentic Japanese dishes you can enjoy at Botejyu! If this branch in Bonifacio Global City is not that convenient for you, don't worry as they have 12 other branches to serve you, and might be more in the future! Watch out and follow their social media accounts. See details below.
Botejyu
Level 3, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 28th Street Corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Botejyuph/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/botejyuphilippines/
Disclaimer: I was invited as a blogger to feature this restaurant. Photos with my watermark are mine and shouldn't be used without my permission.
