NIHONBASHI TEI

Was  supposed to be trying out this japanese noodle house along the same  street, but for some strange reason they were closed. Another noodle  house along Makati Avenue was our second option, but somehow my thoughts  keep wandering back to this japanese inspired resto that I have been  hearing about....... In the end, it was Nihonbashi Tei for us.

Our meal started with some complimentary appetizers......



Looking like a cabbage roll and it tastes very much like kimchi with the exception that the spice level is a few notches down.




I  forgot to ask the friendly servers as to what they call our 2nd  appetizer, but they are some sort of adobo squid. It was a bit too chewy  so I didn't really enjoy it.


Sashimi Teishiyoku



Both the salmon and the tuna sashimi are fresh and firm to the  bite, but  what really impressed me is their squid sashimi which had  little or  none of that sliminess.

The sashimi set also comes  with a serving of plain rice and miso soup.  (delightfully surprised  that the soup had extra servings of seaweed and a  couple of pieces of  clams)


California Maki



My personal criteria for a good sushi roll is that the sushi rice  should  be sticky enough to hold everything in place even after dipping  it lightly into the soy sauce. But at the same time should not be  overly  sticky that it's going to get stuck in ones teeth after every  chew. And  fortunately, this one did not disappoint. I guess my only  minor issue is  that the sushi rolls were cut into too big pieces that  it's quite difficult to eat it with a single bite.


Tanuki Soba (Tempura Flakes Cold Noodle)









A cold noodle dish that basically resembles the more popular zaru  soba  with the exception of the added tempura flakes which actually  doesn't  add any additional flavor except to give it an added crunchy  texture.

Either way, I enjoyed this cold noodle dish as it's quite refreshing on a hot day.


Beef Soba



This shoyu based noodle dish is served piping hot, the beef slices  are a  little on the tough side, the buckwheat noodles are nice and firm  to  bite. And as compared to some other Japanese inspired restos wherein the shoyu broth is overly sweet, this version is just right.


Lapu Lapu Sashimi



Still not satisfied with my fill of raw seafoods, I was  contemplating on either their Uni (sea urchin) or their lapu-lapu. And  since not too many Japanese inspired rests serve Lapu Lapu sashimi, I  went for the latter. The meat is fresh, firm and slightly chewy to  the  bite.

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My dad also ordered the Una Jyu (Grilled Eel Rice Toppings). I forgot to  take a picture of it. (as well as forgot to taste it since I was busy with the sashimi) but my dad swears its really good.

At the end  our meal, we were given a choice of either hot or cold coffee at no  extra charge. (which I think is a standard in most japanese inspired  restos in the makati area)

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Nihonbashi Tei is located along Arnaiz Avenue corner Amorsolo St., Makati City