January 20, 2012

Yutaka Izakaya Japanese Restaurant- Affordable Japanese Cuisine in Aurora Blvd.

My family loves Japanese cuisine but seldom dine at Japanese restaurants due to the hefty pricetag. When we saw this small Japanese restaurant named Yutaka Izakaya near UERM along Aurora Blvd., we decided to give it a try. 

It has this dark facade with red Japanese lanterns and some bamboo plants that bring out an authentic Japanese ambiance. 


Upon entering the place, guests would be warmly greeted by all the staff. 

"Irasshaimase!"

It adds a more welcoming touch to all their customers coming in. 


There's a sushi bar on the inner corner of the restaurant where the Japanese owner himself makes the sushi and sashimi orders. 

We were each handed out a menu with their wide variety of choices. We were surprised to see that their prices were really affordable. I guess they made it affordable since most of their market are students from nearby colleges and universities. 







After getting our orders, the waitress offered us some wet hand towels to wipe our hands with and some hot tea to drink while waiting.




We ordered for their Kani Salad (P75) which was not bad for its price. It had lots of mango and tamago pieces but the Japanese mayo used was a little bland.



My brother got the Nabeyaki Udon (P200) which has 2 pieces of shrimp tempura, beef slices and egg. It was served in a big Japanese casserole clay pot to retain the hotness of the soup while eating. 

Their serving was big! This order could be shared by 2 people already.


Then we got an order of their Shake Sashimi (P195) which has 8 chunky slices of fresh raw salmon.


I also ordered for their Okonomiyaki (P180) which was again incredibly affordable compared to other Japanese restaurants.


The whole thing was big and was cut into 8 pieces. I love the katsuobushi or bonito flakes on top that moves as if someone's blowing them. 

Taste wise, I would not say that I liked it very much. The pancake was quite hard and the batter didn't taste flavorful too. I guess only the toppings and the sauces made the dish ok.

We also decided to go for an order of their Set A (P711) which includes:
- 3 pcs. Gyoza (pan fried dumplings)
- 8 pcs. California Maki
- 4 pcs. Futomaki
- 6 pcs. Tamagoyaki 
- 3 pcs. Ebifry (breaded shrimp tempura)
- 3 pcs. Torikaraage (fried chicken)
- 3 pcs. Ebisushi 


Everything was served in a large serving platter shaped like a boat. It was really huge! What I like most about this set is their Futomaki. It was very flavorful and quite big too.

The rest was okay. Not that bad considering the price, but not that great either. 

Their prices are just right for an inexpensive Japanese dinner.

"Domo Arigato Gozaimashita!"- The waitresses would again happily shout as you're on your way out. :) 


Yutaka Izakaya
GF 41D Unit-X Aurora Arcade,
Aurora Blvd., Quezon City
7136558
Taft Branch:
2570 Taft Ave., Malate Manila
Just Beside Vito Cruz LRT Station

68 comments:

  1. Oh I know this place. We almost dine there, kaya lang parang walang diner at that time, so we didn't go in anymore. Judging by what you had it seems good naman.

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    1. Yup it was good naman..not bad for their prices :)

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  2. visited this place some years ago, and the food is good for the price. the chef or the owner is japanese, i believe, which adds to the place's authenticity.

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    1. Yes, the owner is Japanese with a Filipina wife who is also hands on with the business. They are very friendly and truly knows what customer service means :)

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  3. I'm not too keen on Japanese but I'll recommend this to my friends. :)

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  4. I haven't visited this resto yet but I am planning to go to their Taft branch really soon.. :D The prices nga are really affordable! I think when I visit this, I'll pig out on sashimis.. ^^

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    1. Im not a big fan of sashimis but my parents said that they were good! :) saw their taft branch too and hopefully we could visit that branch nmn soon :)

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  5. The price is cheap huh? Sashimi ang mura lang, grabe! :D I love japanese foods so I might visit this one time. :D Thanks for sharing!

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  6. this looks like delicious place to go, and cheap price for good food? sign me up!!

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  7. There's a branch near where I used to study, so I was able to try this place out years ago. I can't remember the experience though. :( The okonomiyaki looks incredibly tasty, but I guess it's just the appearance...? Though so far most okonomiyakis I've tasted were kind of bland, so maybe that's just how it should reallytaste (I hope not!)

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    1. Maybe you're right. haha! I guess its all about the toppings and fillings then. :)

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  8. I love japanese food pero yung mga hilaw di ako kumakain. hehehe!

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    1. Me too.. not really a fan of sashimis but I like then when they are sliced really thin. :)

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  9. i haven't tried this resto but looks yummy and affordable too.. will give it a try hopefully soon!! ;-)

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  10. I haven't tried Japanese food yet but I do want to try kaso ayun nga mahal haha. I wold try to fins this resto and grab my friends here someday XD

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    1. This is definitely a Japanese resto to go when on a budget!:)

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  11. i love Japanese foods! and those Izakaya restaurant is awesome.. in Japan most Izakaya can be found in most CBD just like jolli jeeps.

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    1. Really? never been to Japan. But I guess prices there are really expensive. haha!

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  12. Whoa, noted! I love Japanese cuisine and this would be the perfect place to dine when I start to run low on cash. XD Haha!

    I'm Aileen btw, I happened to stumble into your blog. :>
    My blog is : http://foodiefromthemetro.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for dropping by Aileen! :) Followed you :)

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  13. Japan is one of the places that I want to visit. Rich culture and sumptuous food, you got me there.

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  14. I actually don't enjoy Japanese food maybe because some are literally uncooked but I love their breads

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  15. Awww!!!Okonomiyaki is love! I have tried it back when I stayed with my sister in Cebu where she managed a Japanese Resto. And everything on this post looks pretty familiar - made me reminisce my close to a year vacation in Cebu.

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  16. love your blog!!! makes me want to eat some more!! Lol!

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  17. sarap naman dito, lalo na ung sashimi (kinilaw)... Yahweh bless.
    http://trunklocker.blogspot.com/2012/01/viva-senior-santo-nino.html

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  18. Japanese food, authentic as this is one of those I crave after my trip to Osaka hehe. Good that they have this is in Aurora Blvd at affordable din sya. Sa province namin kasi wala. hehe. The last time I dined in a Japanese restaurant was in Panglao, Bohol which the price is so darn expensive.

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  19. Japan na japan yung entrance! I love the place!

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  20. I love Korean, Indian, Japanese and Filipino food. Sayang I am living here in Pampanga.. mukhang masarap ang mga foods nila :)

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  21. really nice! Japanese food really look inviting. I never tried eating in a Japanese resto but would love to try it
    ----
    from EDMARATION

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  22. Dear Berylle Kaye Hong,

    Good Morning!

    First of all, thank you for visiting my blog and the comment as well (http://www.mazydoll.com/2011/12/from-necklace-to-cordless-phone.html).

    Things are getting pricey now because the crisis is still not yet over.

    Yours,

    Vicky David

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  23. What a Japanese food! What a price also! The foods look nutritious. Of course, those veggies I like them.

    Yummy remarks from Gil Camporazo of RandomThoughts!

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  24. whenever I visit manila my aunt takes me to her fave japanese restos, hopefull ma-try ko eto

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  25. Ang layo lang kasi sa amin ... I love the Japanese decor outside. The inside though seems plain to me. But the food looks really good.

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  26. There's always a place for good food at the right place. You just have to look for it. Thanks for the info.

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  27. I really love Japanese food. I think I'll try this out. Natakam ako dun sa udon!

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  28. I love everything Japanese! And this post makes we want to make sushi in the middle of the night. hahaha!

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  29. I'm not really into Japanese cuisine..
    I think, I can't handle raw food like the salmon up there

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  30. I love Jap foods! i hope to visit this place one day and try out the food...

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  31. I love Japanese food too! And looking at their menu, its pretty affordable. It sucks though because their branches are too far from my place and work. Thanks for sharing.

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  32. This looks like another great find, great food and great prices! Thanks for the tip, will check this out soon!

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  33. not really into Japanese cuisine but it does look delicious

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  34. there are lots of new reaturants and fast food along UERM unlike before during my dentistry years iin UERM .Ilan ang kainan at siksikan pa.wala pang SM dati . i missed those day .sana may Yutaka na dati.at pati mga menu laki na ng minahal.

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  35. I like their seafoods cuisine and their salads, very appetizing. Great find. God bless.

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  36. nice japanese restaurant! is that new here in philippines?you had a great time.I noticed that they treat their guests very well. i want to experience that towel pampering too hehe =)

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  37. I love japanese food. We might try it there someday. I like that idea that it's owned by a japanese chef. This makes it very authentic. This is a great find. Thanks for sharing.

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  38. nakakagutom! never seen that building along the sta. mesa area. i hope i could drop by there.

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  39. I'm also a sushi lover too, haik, the price range is affordavle.. moshi..moshi..

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  40. Sayang naman at hindi ako mahilig sa Japanese foods :)

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  41. one thing I like eating in any japanese resto is their very accommodating reception dagdag mo pa ang free tea before and after meal

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  42. I love japanese foods too. My favorite is the crunchy roll and calamari. Hahaha. And beer. Lol. I am trying to make cali mak but i always faiil. Tsk. Hahaha.

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  43. I like Japanese food! I'll try to go there! waaa tulo laway ako!

    http://travel-on-a-shoe-string.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-to-say-happy-new-year-in-chinese.html

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  44. I know the place but have not tried dining there yet. Maybe one of these days. Thanks for the walk through of the restaurant

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  45. nakaka gutom naman yan....

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  46. Thanks for visiting my site :) I love Japanese food <3 I must try some in this restaurant soon. Thanks again!

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  47. The Okonomiyaki looks interesting! will definitely visit the resto soon :)

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  48. Hey! I've heard of this from someone before. Those prices are not bad at all :) Glad to have stumbled on this blog :)

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  49. Yummy pics you have there! Jap food are really good!

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  50. Nice, ito ang mga lugar na pwedeng-pwede sa akin. Hindi masyadong intimidating puntahan.

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  51. Ang mura naman dito and medyo malapit lang yung place sa amin! :) Mukha pang masasarap yung mga foods! :)))

    xoxo,
    http://spoonfulofstories.blogspot.com/

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  52. I live 3 blocks away from their branch in Aurora Blvd but haven't tried eating there yet. Actually it was included in my list :)Sarap ng Japanese food :)

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  53. So enticing. Perhaps I'll give it a try. :)
    Thank you for following my blog, mademoiselle.

    http://iifatree.blogspot.com/

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  54. I only tasted Japanese food once but it really is yummy and tasty.

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  55.  we often eat here ng boyfriend ko. we both love japanese food! :) good thing very affordable ang prices nila compared sa ibang japanese restos! :D everybody should give it a try :)

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  56. Their California maki is a must-try!

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  57. Ann CagalinganJune 03, 2015

    Foods looks so yummy and tasty! i love japanese foods too esp.yakitori!

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