Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can at Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant by Diamond Hotel Philippines

Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can of Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant at Diamond Hotel Philippines, may be deemed as a bend from the usual buffet and eat-all-you-can-fare. Yet, having experienced utmost gastronomic teppanyaki night , realization sets in that it was an impeccable gustatory experience made all the more special with a flair of culinary entertainment.

Recognized as one of Philippine's Best Restaurants for 2011 by Asian Tatler Dining, Yurakuen is a Japanese word which translate to paradise. And indeed this pride of Diamond Hotel is a paradise in Manila where expectations to authentic Japanese cuisine and excellent five-star service are not just met, but exceeded. While it is a pleasure to savor dishes as one gaze into the sophisticated interior highlighted by glass cherry blossom tree in the middle, the gastronomic wonders that can happen inside the teppanyaki rooms are not to be missed.

Teppanyaki by definition is a traditional Japanese cooking method where an iron griddle or propane-heated flat surface grills is used to cook food. The word literally translate to ‘iron plate’ (Teppan) ‘grilled’ (yaki).  Aside from the feast of fresh ingredients, demonstration of culinary skills of the chef cooking in front of the guests is what makes teppanyaki dining an experience in itself.

There aren't many places in Manila which offers teppanyaki, so our recent Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can dinner at Yurakuen left a beautiful impression of what this dining experience is all about.

The thought of having a chef cook in front of us is already enticing but what really rocked our world about Yurakuen's Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can is the unlimited parade of food we can devour to our heart's content.

One of the beautiful things about teppanyaki is the way it can get interactive between the diners and the chef preparing the food. The chef assigned to us in particular send our experience a notch higher not just with his culinary skills but with his flair for theatrical entertainment as well. His impressive maneuvers coupled with some dancing on the side surely kept us entertained all through out the dinner.

It is also noteworthy how our chef occasionally dished out tidbits of information regarding cooking while throwing in ingredients to the grill. How a red wine can mellow down the distinctive taste of the egg and why is medium well steak is more preferable than well done were explained and carefully suggested.

Astralis (closed) and The Cake Club, both by Diamond Hotel took my breath away in terms of the quality of food they serve. As expected, Yurakuen do not disappoint in that same league. 

Truth be told, the price of Php1,970++ (unlimited standard drinks, local and Kirin beer included) can be a little steep for some but given the fact that you can have unlimited servings of all manners delicious about teppanyaki, you would realize that it is worth the price.  There are premium items on the menu which calls for an additional Php500 on top of the promo price, but that entitles you to unlimited servings of those items as well. These premium items were included on the list I have provided below.

While the raw fresh ingredients were being prepared by the friendly kimono-clad food attendants, variety of appetizers were immaculately presented at our table. Sashimi, sushi, maki, tekamaki, and salad of different types can be devour with no limit, hence it was a festive way to start the dinner.

Sashimi Selections: Tuna, Grouper, Red Snapper, Salmon.

Sushi Selections: Tuna, Grouper, Crab Stick, Sea Urchin, Mackerel, Flying Fish Roe, salmon, Eel, Tamago Yaki, Rare Grilled Teriyaki Tuna, Rare Grilled Teriyaki Salmon, Rare Grilled Teriyaki Grouper, Rare Grilled Teriyaki Red Snapper, Tuna Temari, Grouper Temari, Salmon Temari, Shrimp.

Maki Selections: California Roll, Rainbow Roll, Dragon Roll, Tempura Roll, Spicy California Roll, Sea Urchin.

Tekamaki Selections: California, Tempura, Tuna, Salmon, Sea Urchin.

We are still munching on our appetizers when the chef started working his wonders by the grill pan in front of us. There were platters of vegetables, seafood, and meat which got everyone of us really excited in anticipation of what was about to transpire the next few hours. 

Vegetable Choices: Spinach, Oyster/Shiitake, Enoki Mushroom, Onion Rings, Pumpkin, Eggplant, Asparagus, Vegetable Jelly (Konyaku Black/White), Red and Green Red Bell Pepper, Had Tofu, Local and Korean Brean Sprouts.

Our vegetable platter has spinach, asparagus, enoki, shiitake and konyaku (Vegetable Jelly). It was grilled in a special sauce hinting of teriyaki flavor which fits to my liking.

Our gorgeous seafood platter was a sight to behold. The combination of U.S. scallops, tiger prawns, salmon, and black cod weer already enticing to look at in its raw form and when everything was cooked I was ecstatic in every bite.

The U.S. scallops were the biggest scallops I have ever seen. It was plump and juicy to the bite and I enjoyed it immensely like a kid. The tiger prawns were equally palatable. The chef did a great job in seasoning it well and cooking it to perfection. The salmon which I would rather have raw most of the time was surprisingly pleasing. And the black cod were flavorful and juicy.

Seafood Choices: Grouper, Red Snapper, Blue Marlin Belly, Tuna Belly, Mackerel, Salmon, Spanish Cod, Squid, Cuttlefish, Tiger Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops.

Premium Seafood:  Black Cod, Chilean Seabass, Spine Lobster.

Our meat platter consist of US Beef Tenderloin, Ribeye, US Wagyu Beef Striploin, and Baby Lamb Chops. Unlimited servings of these heavenly things are already well worth the price of the entire teppanyaki package I must say. And the way that these were cooked were equally impressive.

Meat Choices: US Beef Rib Eye, US Beef Sirloin, US Beef Short Ribs, US Beef Tenderloin, Beef Roll, Baby Lamb Chop, Pork Tenderloin, Pork Belly, Chicken Thighs,

Premium Meat: US Black Angus Beef Tenderloin, US Wagyu Beef Sirloin Center Cut, US Wagyu Beef Striploin, US Wagyu Short Ribs.

 

The photo above shows the bite size pieces of our premium meat choices. One can request however if they prefer whole slab of the meat to be cooked as it is. The chef consistently asks the guests as to how they want the dishes to be prepared so suggestions and recommendations are encouraged to give the ultimate satisfaction for the guests.

Variety of soups were also available, but our able chef suggested that we try the Lobster Miso Soup, wherein the head and the spine of the lobster that he cooked for us was used to further enhanced the flavor of the soup.

Soup Choices: Miso Soup, Egg Soup, Seaweed Soup

Salad Choices: Garden, Chukka Wakame, Seaweed, Crab Stick

I always find miso soup rather bland and unappetizing, but just for the record,  Yurakuen's Lobster Miso Soup is the sexiest I've had so far. It is safe to say that it gives a new dimension to the usual sad unassuming soup I am used to. 

Our host Melanie was kind enough to suggest having rice at the middle of the dinner. As culture dictates, Japanese usually have their rice towards the end of the meal, but since were Filipinos, Yurakuen can make adjustment to that. The seafood rice that was served to us was a meal in itself. Packed with flavors that can put even my most favorite yang-chow to shame.

Rice Choices: Seafood Fried Rice, Mixed Fried Rice, Kimchi Fried Rice, Japanese Pizza (Okonomi-yaki), Rice Omelet.

Noodles Choices: Yaki Soba, Yaki Udon

Believe it or not, the photos didn't do justice in showing how festive the teppanyaki dinner was. And I was already on the verge of collapsing when we were told that the desserts are ready to be served. Regardless of the degree of fullness, I succumb to the enticing homemade ice cream and sherbet that were served to us. I have raved about their ice cream before at The Cake Club and given the fact that it was the same ice cream that they will be serving, I decided it is not something to missed.

As if the desserts were not enough, we were also served with seasonal fruit platter and pancakes with sweetened black beans on top and strawberry ice cream on the side.

Dessert Choices:  Assorted Seasonal Fruits, Assorted Ice Cream with Grilled Fruits, Pancakes with Black Beans and Ice CReam, Chocolate Pudding.

Yurakuen's Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can is something buffet purveyors or simply food enthusiasts should not missed. Available every lunch and dinner for P1970++ including unlimited standard drinks, local and Kirin beer. 

Like what I have mentioned, the sea food and the meat choices alone are already well worth the price so the unlimited servings of all the other things included in the teppanyaki package are just an added perks. Not to mention the entertainment you'll get from the chef who will be cooking for you. 

Diamond Hotel Philippines is known as one of the best hotels here in Manila and it is impressive how their line of restaurants is at par in terms of quality service and customer satisfaction. This proves that a break from the usual buffet is worth to be savored at Yurakuen's Teppanyaki Eat-All-You-Can.

Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant

Lobby of Diamond Hotel Philippines
Roxas Blvd. cor. Dr. J. Quintos St.,
Manila, Metro Manila
Contact No.: (02) 528-3000 loc. 1127
Website: www.diamondhotel.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/diamondhotelphilippines