Izumi Sake Bar in Fort, A Taste of Japan in Manila Giveaway!

I've always kept my Favorite Guiltless Date Places in Manila post in this travel blog as one post. I have been thinking about featuring and highlighting restaurants of different cuisines in Manila for some time now but the posts are written for my other blog Manila Overload. Since I now have plans to merge my blogs, today is the day that I will change all of that. Let me tell you about my experiences here instead. For me, eating out in Manila is just like going to another country or other Philippine province and you know home is a car ride away. Today, let me tell you about Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig for Japanese food!

izumi sake bar fort

If you've read my post above that I constantly update, you will read this:
Eating different cuisines in Manila is a great way to experience a slice of life in different parts of the world. I am not an expert in differentiating which one is more authentic because you would have to have a good palate, a good memory and a thick wallet to do that. I do, however, have my own list of favorite restaurants in Manila that serve different cuisines. If you ever decide to try them out, you will be able to get a taste of my food preferences and how restaurateurs perceive either their own food or an adaptation of another cuisine through their restaurants. Sometimes, they even try to provide the same ambiance, culture, language and service of the country they are representing. Oftentimes, everything suits your taste that you end up assuming that this must be what I would be served when I go to that country. Note: Some restaurants here adjust their recipes to satisfy the Filipino senses.
Let me treat you to a glimpse of what Izumi has to offer today.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

A brief introduction of my food preference: I'm not fond of Japanese restaurants because people always order raw food and no cooked food (for me) so I always end up hungry. My sister says I loved sashimi when I was young and would be the one to eat lots of them but then I suddenly stopped eating raw food and shrimp. I do remember that I have always loved noodles (ramen is on top of my list) and beef (sukiyaki cut) ever since I was young. My favorite cooked Japanese food has since increased since my awesome last trips to Japan =) As for drinks, I can't consume lots of alcohol.

Back to Izumi - First up for appetizer, Spicy Edamame! I've had plain boiled edamame before in Dohton bori Osaka and it was good. This spicy version of Izumi was very addicting; I kept going back for it. Perfect for waiting and bar chow too!

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

The Maguro Izumiyaki (seared tuna) came out next. Jeff and the others thoroughly enjoyed this bestseller.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

Obviously, I got the torched end part. The peppers were intense enough to mask the raw fish. If I were blindfolded, this would probably pass for freshness, the simple flavor and tenderness. See how many peppercorns were in the one I ate!

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

The Tori Karaage (chicken with three sauces) was one of my favorites. I loved my chicken stick fully coated with mandarin glaze the most!

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

Here are the other appetizers: the Salmon Poke (raw),

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

the Mushroom Gyoza that didn't need any more sauce (you'll see what I mean when you bite into it)

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

and the more exotic Soft Shell Crab with Lime Salt and Ponzu.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

For the main menu, this was my favorite - the Buta Bara. It's pork belly glazed with den miso sauce! It's probably the closest to my Pinoy tastebuds (think rich, thick and soft liempo). It was grilled and glazed to perfection.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

Jeff was most impressed with the Portabello Mushroom Steak. The mushroom just soaked up all that flavorful marinade.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

There's also the Salmon Steak.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

We couldn't order any more rice with all of these... Again, perfect for pica-pica and if you want to try sake (Japanese wine), then you only have to call the waiter at Izumi.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

For late night party-goers or just plain cravers, Izumi has ramen (available for order from 12 a.m to 3 a.m. only). Two of them are the Curry Tonkatsu Ramen (comes with tonkatsu on the side) and Mapo Tofu Ramen (more of a Chinese dish).

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

I liked the Curry one better.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

I've been to this place before and I must say that Izumi has transformed itself from being just a bar period to a place where you can still get your sake and where you can now order exciting Japanese food, other drinks and bar chow until the wee hours of the morning! I bet we can only do this here in our own country, on familiar territory, and where there is no language barrier like in Japan haha.

Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig Japanese food

Let me tell you about another good news. I am in a Japan streak at the moment as you can see from my most recent posts and I would like to celebrate with a Japan-themed giveaway! This is your chance to experience a taste of Japan in Manila! I'm giving away one (1) P1000 Izumi Gift Certificate each to two (2) readers! Contest Period is from August 26, 2012 12:01 a.m. EST to September 17, 2012 12:01 a.m. EST.

Feel free to subscribe to my updates via email on the top left part of the sidebar.

Please enter through Rafflecopter below:

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Restaurant Details:
Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant Address
29th Street corner Rizal Drive
Forbes Town Center, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig
Open Mondays to Saturdays 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
856-4090 / 0922-8371860 / 0928-9683199
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