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Other than anime, I love the Japanese because of their food (LOL). I’ve always had the pleasure of eating Japanese food at an early age since my grandfather, the late Senator Blas Ople, usually hosted a family get together every Sunday at Saisaki along EDSA. I remember being excited waking up every Sunday morning since I know I would be able to eat lots of Tuna Sashimi, Fried Rice, and Steak, hehe. Anyway, a few days ago my girlfriend, my brother, my friend Paul, and I went out for dinner at one of my favorite Japanese restaurants - Kimono Ken. They have several branches already but the best one is their branch along Tomas Morato in Quezon City.
QUICKIE FACT SHEET
Name: Kimono Ken
Location: Tomas Morato (they have several branches though)
Type: Japanese Food
Price Range (per dish): P150 - P500
My review of some of Kimono Ken’s most famous dishes after the jump.
Before I start, let me just say that one of the reasons I love going here is convenience. They have valet parking which makes life a whole lot easier especially since it’s always crowded in Tomas Morato. The staff here are also very courteous and warm. Maybe it’s because they know me already since I there 3-4 times a month, hahaha! Let’s get on with the review.
Their Beef and Chicken Teriyaki are two of the most affordable dishes on the menu. The serving is quite generous for the Beef and Pork versions but the Chicken is a bit lacking. I’m not 100% sure but they should set you back P150-P180. I know what you’re thinking… is the Chicken Teriyaki here better than Teriyaki Boy? Nope. Teriyaki Boy trumps Kimono Ken on the Chicken Teriyaki department. Next up, we have one of the most amazing Japanese salads ever - Kimono Ken’s Kani Salad.
This one costs P250 but it is well worth it. The servings are enough for 3-4 people and the salad really has a lot of crab meat on it. The salad dressing also tastes excellent and the dish comes with two pieces of Ebi Tempura. A lot of people come to Kimono Ken because of this salad. It truly is one of their best offerings. Since we’re already talking about Tempura, let’s jump to the next dish - Kimono Ken’s Ebi Tempura.
Now this is the reason why I find myself coming back to Kimono Ken a lot. The Ebi Tempura is just superb. Normally the Tempura you eat at various restaurants around the metro has more breading than shrimp. An example would be Saisaki’s poorly made Tempura these days. Even Teriyaki Boy’s Tempura sucks. Hell - there’s this restaurant along Makati Avenue called “Tempura” but their Ebi Tempura tastes so bad I couldn’t eat more than 1 piece. What I love about Kimono Ken’s version is that they really pick huge pieces of shrimp. You know, the “very” meaty kind. The breading also isn’t overkill so it’s just enough to enhance the taste of the shrimp and not overpower it.
I’ve had nothing but good words for Kimono Ken… well I do have a few gripes. Their fried rice costs P60 bucks and it’s just one small cup. Come on management! I’d gladly fork over P60 but can you at least make it worth my money? It pains my heart to order extra rice because of the insane price paired with the small serving. Other than that, I also don’t like the placement of seats in the Tomas Morato branch. It can be too crowded at times but if the restaurant isn’t full, then it’s just alright.
SUMMARY
Rating Card
1 - Waste of money
2 - Satisfactory - just okay. Nothing special
3 - Wow, something to remember.
4 - OMGWTFBBQ I WANT MOREZZ PLZZ
FOOD QUALITY: 4
DISH PRICES VS QUALITY: 2
CUSTOMER SERVICE: 3
RESTAURANT CLEANLINESS: 3
RESTAURANT OVER-ALL RATING: 3
Kimono Ken can be a good place for dates or family meals but this isn’t the perfect spot to have barkada get-togethers. It can be a bit pricey, especially since they put a hefty price tag on the rice and the sodas. If you do have cash to burn though and you want quality Japanese food, then this is the place for you.
Sponsor: Internet Marketing PhilippinesTags: Ebi Tempura, Japanese Food, Kimono Ken
January 26th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I like Japanese food but I don’t like Ebi, Kani and raw fish, which are in more than three quarters of the dishes in any Japanese restaurant I’ve been. I mainly stick with beef dishes like Yakiniku and Gyudon, fried rice like Yakimeshi, Tamago Sushi, and dessert. I also eat Vegetarian Sushi but I was told it isn’t real Sushi because it was invented in California. Maybe I’ll ask some friends and eat at Kimono Ken and try their Beef Teriyaki and Pork Teriyaki. I’ll even try the Kani Salad and see if I’d change my mind about eating crustaceans. Do you have any thoughts on their SM North Edsa branch?
January 26th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Hi man,
I haven’t tried their SM North Edsa branch yet but I was able to eat in Kimono Ken Shang. I noticed that the shrimp there seemed smaller than the one in Tomas Morato (WTF). They should implement stricter quality control to address this issue.
Anyway, I’ve also tried their Gyudon and Yakiniku as well and it’s nothing out of the ordinary. If you want you can try their steak dish (I forgot the name). It’s P295 and it has a small serving of fried vegetables at the side.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:55 am
The Kani Salad look superb! So does the Ebi Tempura.
January 26th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
If you want cheaper and delicious fried rice go and eat at Savory Chicken it only cost 28php per serving (same amount and even better than the 60php serving there, back 10 yrs ago(1999) Chowking’s fried is better and cheaper than Savory Chicken. Where 1 fried rice cost only 18php compared to Savory Chicken’s 24php. The soup would make you keep on coming back and it only cost 30php but it is worth the money.
For the Chicken, you can go to the Worlds Best Chicken it cost 115php but it very delicious and worth the price beaten Savory Chicken on taste.
Both are on the food court in Glorietta altough the main branch is in Pasay.
Tokyo Tokyo still better with the meats and cheaper.
As for delicious tasty Angus Beef, it is best eaten at Dads.
January 27th, 2009 at 2:42 am
@Memories:
I’m an avid fan of Savory chicken. They used to have a satellite branch inside the cafe I played in sometime in 2005. They used to have this “value meal” which had a 2 piece chicken, pancit, rice, and iced tea for less than P150!
I haven’t tried World’s Best Chicken but I’ll definitely put it on my list.
For Tokyo Tokyo, the only thing I eat there these days is the Beef Misono. Their branch in Eastwood and SM North EDSA sucks like hell though. You can literally see the baby cockroaches moving along the counter.
Lastly, Dad’s Angus Beef. Yes it is yummeh.
January 27th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Haha! Nice! I haven’t tried Kimono Ken, but seeing as it’s not super duper pricey, I think I just might.
I’m just not too sure if the part-owner is the same as that of another Japanese Restaurant I know. Try to drop the name Chef Seiji Kimura and see if it rings a bell to the staff. hahaa.
If you’re looking for another authentic Japanese Experience, I’d recommend this small, quaint and very very secret place here in Makati (Salcedo St. corner Gamboa) called Sousaku. Price is a bit steep (250-500 — pero set meal na) but food is worth it (at least when I was eating, it rivaled Sugi and at half the price too!).
January 28th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
wow they all look delicious but in jap restos i prefer to eat the sashimi hehe coz its pretty exotic you know compare to those common (cooked) food hehe anyway thanks for the review i think ill try it some other time
PS: i think you have a typo on your first paragraph “since I there” hehe
January 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I love Kimono Ken!!! Well, anything Japanese at that. Hahaha… try mo rin SumoSan and Omakase… HOnga pala, ndi na tayo nagkita kita.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
@Frankie: With Ate Ann and Lee? I was able to meet up with them the night before Lee left. last minute thing so I wasn’t able to round the YFC peeps up
Lee’s coming back naman on September. Let’s set a YFC reunion then!
February 11th, 2009 at 1:37 am
the steak dish is gyu hireniku thats my all time favorite at kimono ken moist and juicy steak cubes
May 3rd, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I go there for their Asparagus Mayo Spaghetti. If you happen to find other places that serve that, please share