davaofoodie's favorites in Davao City

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Japanese and other Asian treats

If you ever think that Davao is all about tuna, grilled chicken and eat all you can rice then you can't be more wrong. You can have a great food adventure here aside from the dining routine you might be subjected to.

try the small little Japanese restaurants such as TADEKUMA, ASEYA BISTRO and AKIKO.

TADEKUMA - This is now the name of this quaint Japanese coffee shop resto that sported many names before. Situated near two Davao landmarks The Venue and the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Operated by a Davao raised Japanese who speaks better Bisaya than most imigrants to this wonderful City. Try their noodles and you will be very much delighted. The other offerings are also good such us your standard Donburis and Tempuras. Quite pricy by Davao standars but it is as authentic as can be. The Menu is extensive and if the owner happens to be present which is often you can have a chat and perhaps be able to order of the list items. the guy is a fishing enthusiast and knows his fish well.

AKIKO - Is another Japanese operated place and serves Japanese coffee shop dishes such as omu rice, Curry rice as well as hamburger steak japanese style. Quite pricey but very authentic. Sometimes service is slow but hey its not fatfood and you get quality and its worth the wait. This restaurant is situated at the restaurant row in the Victoria plaza area.

ASEYA - This restaurant serves a limited amount of Japanese food apart from Thai and Pilipino specialties. nevertheless the Japanese selection is quite good. Try the donburies ( the gyudon is to die for)and you will be hooked. The tempura is crisp and light and the specialty of the house is the Kamameshi rice. A flavored rice cooked in a special kettle with various toppings such as chicken, seafood and Kani sticks. Very authentic. No wonder because the owner is Japanese mestiza Lisa Enrile who's family owns the Kamameshi House restaurant chain in Manila. try their chicken tepan as well as the beef. The thai food offering is also very good and the Tom Yum Kung is a popular choice as well as their Phad Thai. Lisa's big burly husband cooks the thai specialties the way they do in the streets of bangkok. there are also pilipino food to satisfy the pilipino palate. The slamon sinigang with UME and Japanese miso is a real winner. They are situated at the ground floor of Humbertos restaurant at Palma Gil and Padre Gomez Streets. the price hovers at around 100 pesos per dish and believe me the portions are quite generous.

In all these three restaurant the food is unpretentious and atmosphere is homey. the owners take special care of their clients and are usually on the floor to welcome you and then rush to the kitchen to cook the food themselves.