Where to Eat in Tagaytay : Aozora Japanese Restaurant

Review: Aozora Japanese Café + Bistro

We celebrated Raina’s birthday in Tagaytay, which is a favorite getaway spot these past few years. Not only is it famous for its cool weather and breathtaking views, it’s also a paradise for food lovers. With hundreds of dining places to choose from, how do you decide on where to eat in Tagaytay?

Since we were all craving for Japanese food, we decided to try out Aozora, which is the first authentic Japanese restaurant in Tagaytay. I’ve already tried dining at Aozora before, but they’ve recently opened their second branch, which is located near Picnic Grove, so we went to that branch instead.

Ambiance

The view of Taal volcano and lake is a bit better at its first branch located at Domicillo Hotel, but the classy and intimate feeling is still intact. The minimalist and rustic design makes you feel like you’re dining in a neighborhood Japanese restaurant.

Food

To jumpstart our meal, we got Aozora Salad (P330). I was excited to try out this dish since I was craving for salad that day. It did not disappoint! I had to stop myself from engulfing the crunchy bits of kani to save space for other dishes.

They also serve different sushi, maki, and sashimi, and it’s something you cannot miss. Their signature Dragon Maki (P385) is created to resemble a, well, dragon. Filled with kani tempura and topped with seaweed, each crunchy bite is guaranteed to be flavorful. We also tried Spicy Tuna Maki (P295) and Spicy Salmon Maki (P305), which were stuffed and generously topped with even more raw fish. Spicy foods have a special place in my heart, so I absolutely loved these two. If you want to try out different maki flavors, I suggest you order their colorful Rainbow Maki (P345). A set of Rainbow Maki includes Tuna, Salmon, Shime Saba, Tamago, and Mango.

If you’re not a fan of raw food, you can check out their grilled and rice meals. For a satisfying main course, we ordered Chicken Karaage Curry (P310) and Mixed Seafood Teppanyaki (P550). For the chicken, the meat was really tender and flavorful. The seafood was a mix of shrimp, salmon, tuna, and squid.

Having Japanese cuisine in incomplete without ramen. Their bestseller – Aozora Ramen (P350), is the best way to warm your belly from Tagaytay’s cold weather. Infused with the famous bulalo soup of Tagaytay, this Japanese dish is a must-try! If you’re a big group, you may want to order a Shabu – Shabu Hot Pot (P850) instead.

We paired our meals with Aozora Iced Tea (P130), their signature drink made with lemongrass, panda, cucumber, and home-grown mint leaves. You can also try their shakes (P145 – P170) if you’re looking for something more refreshing.

 My thoughts

The drive to Tagaytay is easy, whenever you find yourself there, drop by Aozora Japanese Restaurant.  With the high-quality Japanese cuisine made with imported Japanese ingredients and fresh local ingredients, you are bound for a comfort meal kind of dining experience.

Aozora Japanse Restaurant

Address: Purok 157, Tagaytay-Calamba Road, Sungay East, Tagaytay City

For an easier way to find it, click this map