I have very fond memories of dining out in Japan back when I had frequent business trips there. One of the foods we ate often and that I really liked is yakitori, grilled chicken skewered on a bamboo stick and barbecued over charcoal. Fortunately, we have the Japanese franchise Nanbantei of Tokyo in town, giving us easy access to this Japanese favorite.

Inside, the place looks like a quaint little restaurant in suburban Tokyo, complete with servers in kimono-like garbs. Dark wood furniture and Japanese decor accent the area. Despite being a grillhouse, Nanbantei seems to have good ventilation, as we didn't smell like smoked food after dinner.

Here are pictures of what we had.

S&B Nanami Togarashi (Seven Spice) and Sanshyo (Japanese pepper) — distinct seasoning spices to go with the dishes

A little bowl of fresh vegetables to start off

Japanese dipping paste (miso?)

Shake Sashimi (P165) — delectable raw salmon

Chicken balls! yummy

Yaki Onigiri (P75 each) — grilled rice balls

The Tori Special Platter (P730) — with tebasaki, negima, tsukune, uzura tamago, chicken tail, hatsu, and leba (21 sticks)

Quail eggs

The Best Sellers Platter (P785) — with aspara maki, tebasaki, pork garlic yaki, shiso maki, negima, corn, and poteto maki

Bacon-wrapped potatoes

Asparagus

Matcha Ice Cream (P95)

Coffee Jelly (P95)

Service: Standard satisfactory service as to be expected of a Greenbelt establishment, nothing extraordinary. Price: ~500-600 per head.

Overall Verdict: Nanbantei of Tokyo seems to be the only restaurant of its kind in a conspicuous commercial area as Greenbelt, and it certainly does not disappoint with its delicious yakitoris and very reasonable prices. Recommended if you're in for some good Japanese food in the Greenbelt area but running a tight budget.

Nanbantei of Tokyo
3/F Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center
Esperanza St., Makati City
Philippines
Tel. #: + 63 2 757-4130

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