MATSURI (Order All You Can)

MATSURI
Tomas Morato, Quezon City



I heard about this place from a fellow MTC member many weeks back but it was only recently that we were able to try it. Much like another Japanese Inspired Resto named ZENSHO, this resto also offers the Order All You Can/Eat All You Can concept were you can order freshly ordered dishes as much as you like. Price I think is 595 per head during sundays and dinners and 495 during weekdays.





Interiors doesn't really resemble much of a traditional japanese inspired resto. Why even the music was a little on the upbeat side (the ones played in clubs and bars) which is kinda opposite of the tranquility that most other japanese inspired restos have.

For this particular lunch service, they don't have stock of beef which is quite alright with my parents since they like more seafoods. I was also a bit concerned at the serving size of each dish given that it was only the three of us, so I requested to the server that our order (except for the sashimi) be Tasting Portions.

CRABSTICK & SALMON SASHIMI



In fairness to the salmon, they were somewhat nicely sliced so that you get a nice smooth "melt in your mouth" texture unlike the ones at Zensho were the raw fish were butchered beyond recognition. (I'm exaggerating a little of course on the butchering part) though I think they didn't get the best salmon I have tasted. While I likie my sasahimi with a nice firm bite to it. These ones were a bit too soft and mushy. On my second order of the salmon, there were still small pieces of the fishbone that wasn't removed from the meat.

The crabsticks tasted a bit dehydrated already ....... probably from being kept too long in the freezer.

I also ordered some tuna sashimi (just forgot to take a picture) and the sushi chefs forgot to properly thaw the raw fish as i can still taste some ice crystals.

CALIFORNIA MAKI



My mom isn't fond of raw fish, so she ordered this one (which I am sure I had to help her finish off the plate)

My personal preference for a good suahi rice is that it should be sticky enough so that it won't fall apart when you pick it up with your chopcticks or when you LIGHTLY dip it in the soy sauce. At the same time, it should not be overly glutinous that it feels like you are eating a piece of mochi (japanese rice cake)

Well the sushi rice was ok, slightly on the glutinous side but not overly sticky. I however wish that they used sweeter mangoes.

SPICY SALMON


Not really as spicy as I would like and the Tempura Batter Flakes sprinkled on top was a big distraction as one can't really taste the salmon.

MATSURI SALAD



Well I think thats what its called since I forgot to write it down..... the strawberry vinegarette was too sweet for me which almost completely overpowered the taste of the other components.

KANI SALAD



Too much of the finely sliced cucumbers and too little of the crabsticks. Plus the cucumbers were a little watery.

CHICKEN TERIYAKI



The white meat of the chicken were slightly on the dry side but the dark meat was ok. It's good that it wasn't overly sweet.

SEAFOOD TEPPANYAKI





Our first order was actually just the Salmon,

but at the recommendation of the friendly server, we also ordered the Mixed Seafood Teppanyaki.

The seafoods were nicely cooked and that there wasn't that overpowering taste of butter. I was however looking forward to some squids but they weren't included.

TOFU STEAK



They don't look anything like Tofu Steaks to me but rather more like Tofu Agedashi. Perhaps they were de-constructed ???? I don't really know.

Don't get me wrong though ...... this dish is actually good with the light crispy batter, then a nice contrast with the soft melt-in-your mouth japanese tofu. I just think its more appropriate if they call this Tofu Tempura.

EBI TEMPURA



Big pieces of prawns, light coating of batter that is not heavy on the stomach of which my parents enjoyed. (I'm not a tempura fan)

JAPANESE SPAGHETTI



I actually forgot what its called so I will name it as such for the moment. Pretty much tastes like spaghetti carbonara to me. (I'm actually wondering how an italian inspired dish got here) The sauce is a bit rich which can easily make us full. (A No-No if you plan to eat a lot of the other foodstuffs)

GRILLED SALMON HEAD



This wasn't in the buffet menu, but the server said we can still order it with no extra charge.

It's actually just half a head, but nevertheless, its still a nice piece of grilled salmon head.

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Location: From the Timog- Tomas Morato Rotunda, Just take Tomas Morato going into the direction of ABS-CBN. It's just across Guilly's and a Hotshots Burger joint.