Paradise Found: A Culinary Haven for Japanese Cuisine at Yurakuen

There's just something about enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine by the bay in old Manila, and Yurakuen comes top-of-mind... 

Named after the Japanese word for "paradise," Yurakuen at Diamond Hotel is truly a culinary haven for Japanese cuisine. Yurakuen's extensive menu features everything you love in Japanese cuisine, from the staple sushi and sashimi, to the most succulent beef, pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, welcome to the haven of authentic Japanese flavors by the bay...

And it was great to be back at Yurakuen. Ever since my very first post on Yurakuen almost four years ago (more on that first-time at Yurakuen on my post, A Japanese Feast at Yurakuen, and a memorable teppanyaki dinner, All-You-Can-Eat Teppanyaki at Yurakuen), it's nice to see that Yurakuen still maintains their high and exacting standards, staying true to the name "paradise." Start with the refreshing Ebi Kyuri Wakame Sunomono (P 280), fresh shrimp with cucumber and seaweed in a sweet vinegar sauce, and you're on your way to an authentic Japanese dining experience at Yurakuen...

Continue your feast with a pair of refreshing salads, like the Mango Vegetable Salad (P 480, L), with sweet mangoes adding a layer of tropical flavors, and the Crabmeat Stick and Seaweed Salad (P 680, R), with the briny notes and sweetness of crab and seaweed weaving seamlessly with the freshest garden greens.

Looking for a light and satisfying salad with a beefy punch? Yurakuen's unique Beef Shabu-Shabu Salad (P 780) should do the trick, with thinly sliced rolls of tender beef filled with fresh vegetables, mango, and crab tossed with crisp greens and tart tomatoes. 

The starters alone, with its fresh and clean notes, opens up your palate for the next round of dishes. Then, it's time for Yurakuen's signature hand-rolled sushi and maki...

The Vegetable Maki (P 680) offers a unique spin to the usual rice roll, with the fresh and crisp notes of vegetables punctuated by the tart sweetness of ripe mango adding both flavor and color to the dish.

The Yurakuen Roll (P 920), with soft-shell crab, cream cheese, tobiko, cucumber, mango and prawn, is another must-try dish. The blend of distinct flavors come together in perfect balance with every bite, highlighting Japanese cuisine's unique play on flavors.

A trademark of Japanese cuisine is its visual presentation, with the aim of first feeding the eyes before the palate. The Chef's Recommendation, 9 Kinds of Sashimi (P 2,780), is an impressive visual feast, a sumptuous platter filled with the freshest sashimi and vegetables capped by vapor to complete the presentation.

There's always time for one last appetizer before the mains. The Beef Negi Maki Teriyaki (P 380), charcoal grilled beef roll draped in teriyaki sauce, offers tasty small bites that's big on flavor. The smoky hint from the charcoal grill and the sweet teriyaki glaze on tender beef combine for rich flavors.

The first of the mains were then served, the Buta Kakuni (P 520), slow-braised tender pork with asparagus in a light, mildly sweet and savory sauce. The fork-tender pork's rich yet delicate flavors are kicked up by the sweet sauce, bursting with savory pork notes coating your palate. The Japanese have a way with pork without overpowering its mild notes.

Yurakuen also offers a variety of set lunches for lunch and dinner, like the Shinju Set (P 1,480), a complete bento set meal with tender Sliced Grilled Beef Teriyaki, Grilled Salmon, Maguro Tosazukuri, Salad, Steamed Rice, and Miso Soup. The set also comes with Homemade Ice Cream for dessert. Beef, salmon, salad, and dessert, all in one neatly packaged meal, just can't get better than that.

Yurakuen's new hot pot dish, the Chiri Nabe Seafood Hot Pot (P 2,600), is another comforting dish that's just perfect for the season's rainy afternoons by the bay. Served hot and simmering over a gentle fire, it's another satisfying set from Yurakuen. The flavors of the fresh seafood and vegetables enrich the light broth with each soothing sip, and I would understand if you wouldn't share this dish.

No meal at Yurakuen is complete without their signature beef dishes. And here's the beef. The US Black Angus Tenderloin Steak (P 2,900), served with grilled vegetables on a hot cast iron plate...

The dish comes with three sauces, but the steak is really good on its own. The fork-tender beef delivers a solid beefy burst of richness that lingers long after the first bite, as you go for a second, and a third piece...

Make it even more special with some premium Wagyu beef, with Yurakuen's Wagyu Steak (P 3,300), Japanese Wagyu Sirloin Steak served with grilled vegetables. Perfectly grilled to medium with a juicy pink center, the tender slices of Wagyu steak just melts in your mouth, releasing all the flavors you need for a satisfying finale to cap your feast at Yurakuen. If you find yourself this side of old Manila by the bay, make Yurakuen your first stop, and discover a haven for authentic Japanese flavors...

Yurakuen is located at Diamond Hotel Philippines, Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila or call 528-3000 extension 1121 for inquiries and reservations.

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