Understanding Japanese Food at Miyazaki

Miyazaki in Molito, Alabang, Metro Manila,  is a well-loved Japanese restaurant. On the weekends, you’ll often find it full of customers, with maybe even some waiting outside for their turn. They have quite an extensive menu, and this month, we are combining a little bit of Japanese food education while also discovering why this restaurant is a hot spot for the dwellers of the south. 

If you are lucky enough to be able to choose where to sit, you might find yourself a little spoilt for options. Of course, they have the regular tables and chairs, but they also have a teppanyaki station, wherein you’ll be able to see the chefs in action. If you want a different kind of dining experience, then this could be a fun choice since it does involve a slight bit of thetrics. If you want something a little more laid back, then you can opt for the sushi bar. They’ll be slicing, cooking, and assembling the food in front of you, which means you can observe the precision and skill that goes into every dish you order. If you’re looking for something more private, then you can also try out the tatami rooms. They also have yakiniku rooms where you have a grill at your table, which makes for an interactive dining experience.

The menu is quite extensive, which may be overwhelming at times. Let’s go through some of the dishes you can find while learning the language of Japanese food along the way. 

Just like most, you’ll probably be drawn to the sushi and sashimi sections first, and understandably so! There are a few things that are as satisfying as fresh fish on a bed of rice. If that’s all you want, then you'd best get the Maguro Don or Salmon Don. The word ‘don’ in Japanese is actually short for ‘donburi’, which means a rice bowl dish. The shortened version just means that whatever it is, it is served on top of a bowl of rice. You might be wondering what the word maguro is as well. Maguro is the general term for tuna. There are other words that can be used to describe other parts of the fish when it comes to sushi and sashimi; however, you’ll find that maguro is the most common one you’ll see being used in menus. 

Under the sushi category, you’ll see other words that may be unfamiliar, like hotate and amaebi. Hotate is the word for scallops. If you are looking for something different instead of the usual salmon and tuna, then this is a great option. Scallops are succulent and can also be quite sweet, and just as great cooked, baked, or raw. Amaebi, on the other hand, refers to shrimp. However, not just any regular shrimp, it specifically refers to sweet shrimp or pink shrimp, which are delicate, sweet, and sashimi-grade. Usually, we are used to seeing the term ebi instead of amaebi. The difference is that ebi is the blanket term for shrimp, while amaebi refers to something more specific. 

While perusing the rest of the menu, you’ll also see kaki and hamachi in some other sections aside from the sushi and sashimi. Kaki is oysters, which you can find some options under the Agemono section, also known as the category for deep-fried dishes. They do a Kakiage, which is oysters in a light flour coating that comes out with a crispy texture and is satisfyingly crunchy when eaten. Hamachi, on the other hand, can be found in the Yakimono-Nimono section, which means grilled, pan-fried, and boiled dishes. Hamachi is the Japanese word for young yellowtail fish. There is another term, which is ‘buri,’ but that refers to a more mature yellowtail that tends to be fattier than young yellowtail. Again, if you are looking for other options beyond tuna and salmon, then try out the hamachi instead. 

If you are not in the mood for sushi or sashimi, then definitely check out the ramen section. Considering we are in the midst of the rainy season, this is a great option for those cooler and grey days. It’s always comforting and delicious. They have plenty of options in the ramen section; however, if you want other kinds of noodles, then you can find those in other sections as well, which may not include soup. For example, they have a Yakiudon, which is a thick stir-fried noodle dish that comes with meat and a variety of vegetables. They also have a Zaru Udon, which is served on a bamboo plate. The noodles are dry, but you do get a bowl of cold dipping sauce, which is a different kind of noodle experience as well if you are feeling a little adventurous. You’ll notice that both contain ‘udon’. Udon is a type of noodle that is made with wheat. It’s different from the yellow noodles we are used to seeing, which are usually made with egg. Udon is also different in texture since it is thicker and has a chewy quality to it. 

There are many other options available at Miyazaki, even if you don’t want sashimi or noodles. They have a list of Japanese curry dishes as well as hotpot, rice, teppanyaki options, and many appetizers that contain both seafood and non-seafood choices. I guess that’s why people keep coming back, since they have options for whatever mood you may be in. Whether you are eating alone or with a friend, or even if you are in a big group, there’s something for everyone. With consistent good-quality and fresh ingredients, it’s easy to see why this is a Southie’s favorite.

Now that you are familiar with the Japanese terms and names, be sure to check out Miyazaki during their opening hours, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM on weekdays and 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM on weekends.