4 favorite Japanese dishes in one food hall

A recipe has no soul; it’s the chef who puts soul into a recipe.

I have always been an avid fan of gastronomic creations where the best produce and ingredients bring forth the most amazing cuisine. Just like magic, the chef whips up a culinary delight that we can only imagine.

Imagine the most delicious tempura made of sweet, succulent shrimp deep-fried to perfection. Savor a soulful bowl of Ippudo ramen, where Hakata-style noodles complement a rich, 15-hour pork bone broth. Enjoy the art of grilling with yakitori, each skewer bearing the smoky signature of Binchotan charcoal.

This delicious cuisine can be found in Kiwami, inviting you to appreciate the authentic essence of Japanese culinary craftsmanship.

The Concepcion family, through The Standard Hospitality Group, drives Kiwami’s success. Established in 2011, their group operates four brands across 39 locations, prioritizing innovation, quality, and genuine hospitality. As world-class operators, they aim to lead in innovative processes and warm customer service.

Welcome to Kiwami Masters Kitchen in Alabang Town Center, a toast to impressive cuisine that features four favorite Japanese dishes of Filipinos housed within one food court. This is the second branch of a gustatory gem of a restaurant, the first being in BGC.

I sampled Yabu’s tonkatsu; the crispness of these tender pork and chicken selections will surely leave you wanting more. How can one resist Ippudo’s Tonkotsu Ramen, served in custom “aritayaki” porcelain bowls from Mount Izumi, Japan? Crafted with imported, 15-hour tonkotsu broth and 30-hour slow-cooked, torched chashu, Ippudo’s ramen is a cut above the rest.

Hachibei presents yakitori flavors with each skewer featuring Binchotan charcoal’s unique smokiness. Each skewer is a burst of taste using only the finest ingredients. One or two skewers is never enough.

One favorite dessert that is very popular here is the Hokkaido Soft Cream — creamy, velvety, and with just the right sweetness, this is the perfect ending for Kiwami’s cuisine.

An omakase-style meal at Alabang Town Center invites guests to savor new dishes soon to grace Kiwami’s menus. What could be more authentic than the presence of esteemed Japanese master chefs and Kiwami’s founders, who flew in from Japan for the occasion?

While exploring the culinary wonders of Japan, businessman par excellence John Concepcion and his family encountered the finest offerings, including Ippudo ramen, tempura, yakitori, and more. Struck by the desire to bring only the best of Japanese cuisine to the Philippines, John envisioned a culinary haven that would transcend ordinary dining.

Driven by this vision, John sought the expertise of Michelin-starred consultants and chefs, inviting them to impart their knowledge and skills to local chefs through specialized training sessions. The collaboration between these culinary maestros and the local talents laid the foundation for Kiwami, a concept that blends authenticity, excellence, and innovation in Japanese gastronomy.

Focusing on Ippudo, globally recognized as a premier ramen brand, the excitement continues with their Limited-Edition Yakiniku Ramen and Yakiniku Bun. This culinary innovation is part of a series titled “Great Ramen, Great Sides,” showcasing Ippudo’s dedication to ramen mastery and exceptional side dishes.

The excitement continues with a quarterly unveiling of new, limited-edition ramen and an array of sides that goes perfectly well with Ippudo’s cuisine.

The star of this culinary revelation is Yakiniku Ramen, boasting Ippudo’s signature creamy 15-hour pork bone broth, Hakata-style noodles, and a teriyaki-spicy miso with thinly sliced pork. Fresh nori and shio tamago add the finishing touches to this flavorful ramen symphony.

Complementing the Yakiniku Ramen is the equally flavorful Yakiniku Bun, a soft, steamed bun filled with sweet and savory tender beef slices, crisp lettuce, and kara mayo — a blend of Japanese mayonnaise and mustard that perfectly balances the rich flavor of the yakiniku meat.

For those seeking a diverse experience, the Trio Buns Set presents three bun flavors in one delightful ensemble. Featuring the signature Pork Bun, Fried Chicken Bun, and the new Yakiniku Bun, this set lets you savor an array of flavors in a single sitting.

The Limited-Edition Yakiniku Ramen, Yakiniku Bun, and Hokkaido Soft Cream are available from now until April 30 at all Ippudo locations.

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Follow @IppudoPh on Instagram for details and updates.