Filipinos have a heart for food and they are very welcoming with Japanese flavors. So when a new restaurant opened in Eastwood, we cannot help but start craving for more. This new Japanese restaurant that will fire your meals is called Grillin’ Ape.
Grillin’ Ape opened last November 25, but it is already winning the hearts of people, food lover or not. It can be found at Eastwood Cybermall Level 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City. The restaurant is accessible to many so location is a plus.
The Story Behind the Name
Expect authenticity in flavors as Grillin’ Ape promises to bring you “unpretentious, modern and convenient” Japanese dishes. Ever imagined an ape preparing your yakitori and udon? Techniques in preparing the food served to you is as genuine as that but tastes better.
This overall vision is also evident in their traditional Japanese-style ambiance. They have wooden stools, banners, and decorations with Japanese characters. It’s almost similar looking at the setting of a traditional Japanese restaurant in the anime or manga you know.
The Food
Yakitori. Grillin’ Ape serves Japanese food and they specialize in Yakitori. They serve 13 different yakitori sets such as the following: kaarage, chicken, chimp, meatball, pork, belly, ape and wings. Price per set ranges from P190 to P220. One serving can tame a growling tummy for that affordable price.
If you are with friends, you can also try their Yakitori Big Bowl which has everything in it. For only P599, you can already enjoy a bowl loaded with pork belly, chicken fillet, grilled corn, pork meatballs, liver wrapped in bacon, and quail egg which lies in a rice seasoned with teriyaki sauce. All in all, there are twenty sticks to savor with your friends and loved ones.
Sushi Rolls. If looking for something phenomenal, have a bite of their sushi rolls. They have a vegetarian roll, caterpillar roll, spicy salmon roll, bacon roll, tuna crunch roll, and overloaded roll. Theirs is one of the best. We always order sushi, and was accustomed of eating one at Japanese restaurants. We even initially asked for soy and wasabi because that’s how you usually eat it. Turns out, we do not need them because they are good on its own.
For first-timers, we suggest you try the spicy salmon roll and tuna crunch roll. Though all the rest taste amazing, these two have nailed the texture and crunch we look for sushi. Price per serving ranges from P120 to P170.
Sushi Donuts. They also have sushi donuts, which we find unique. Choose from salmon belly, California donut, lava donut, or bacon donut, and bring your appetite to an exciting level. If you have never eaten sushi or donuts this way, Grillin’ Ape is the best place to do it. We recommend you pick lava donut from the menu to further enhance that experience. It is a sushi made with egg, yuzu kyozu mayo and mozzarella cheese topped with tempura. Lava donut costs P230, and the rest of the sushi donuts range from P195 to P230 per serving.
Udon. Aside from yakitori and sushi, Grillin’ Ape also makes superb udon bowls. Especially during the cold months, a warm savory udon can delight anyone’s night. This dish is made of high quality noodles and tasty broth topped with a generous amount of meat of your choice, egg, and herbs. Some of the toppings you can choose from are the pork belly and smoky bacon. We prefer these two types of their udon bowls because the pork goes well with the broth.
Desserts. Alas! The best way to end the night is to dig in their delectable desserts. They feature delectable banana sweets which is a must-try such as the creamy banana ape. It’s something you would not want to miss.
Sake. It is not Japanese without a sake. The interior of the food house does not only displays bottles of sake in their location, they also sell one. We tried the peach sake and it is all so worth it. Especially if pared with your favorite yakitori, this sake will both excite and condition your taste buds.
More about Grillin’ Ape
The food in Grillin’ Ape are truly unique and authentic. More importantly, they offer the food at an affordable price while not sacrificing the quality and flavors. In addition, they provide vegetarian options such as their vegetarian sushi roll. They are also LGBTQ-friendly and good for adults and kids alike.
Grillin’ Ape is open every day from 10AM to 10PM.
https://www.zomato.com/manila/grillin-ape-libis-quezon-city
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