It has already been six years since I first tried Zark's Burgers at their pioneer branch.  Zark's has gone a long way since then.

Would you believe that from a hole in a wall it has around 20 branches now?  I can now enjoy it even at malls like the last time I was in SM Megamall. 

Food
We love Zark's and we love its American burger concept.  But, at the back of our minds, we secretly wish that it would be a bit closer to our Filipino preference like having some rice dishes.

Asian Curry (149 php)

So I'm very happy to try Zark's new signature burger steaks.  I wasn't expecting much but when the the Asian Curry was served, I was impressed.  Look!  So bongga!  Based on visual presentation, this matches Japanese curry shop items that are worth twice as much.  How about the taste?  Hmm... For the price, not bad!  A bit on the salty than peppery though. 

♥ Garlic Mushroom (149 php)

If you ask me what's my favorite?  Its the Garlic Mushroom!  This is comfort food at its finest!  Yum yum!!!

♥ Chipotle BBQ (149 php)

Second runner up is the Chipotle BBQ.  I love the sweet and flavorful blend that makes me want to indulge into this with more rice!  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Zark's has done a great job with their Signature Burger Steaks!  I find this a bang for the buck choice with a generous serving of rice and sauce to complement the burger steak.  I especially appreciate it being cooked fresh upon order.  I will definitely order these again when I'm in the area.  The service at Zark's is superb as well considering it doesn't even have a service charge.

Tip: Tomorrow May 28, 2018 is Zark's Jawbreaker Day! 

I only had an hour to spare for lunch today so I walked to the nearby Jollibee.  




When dining at fast food joints, I always find myself checking out what's new to try.
 
The BIG Burger Steak caught my attention.  It seemed like a bang for the buck meal for less than a hundred bucks.

BIG Burger Steak Meal (95 php)

For 95 php, here's my BIG Burger Steak Meal.  Not bad right?  The ala carte is even cheaper at 89 php.  The BIG Burger Steak is thick 1/3 pound champ patty with generous amount of flavorful mushroom gravy served with a cup of rice.

Big Burger Steak Meal (95 php)

With undeniable prices increasing everywhere and most food items getting smaller in terms of serving size, I do appreciate good offerings like this.  It's difficult to find a meal below a hundred that would satisfy me.  Now, this BIGatin meal soothes the kuripot me. =p 

Like This Post? Subscribe here Follow @tsinoyfoodies                              

The Up Town Center in Katipunan which is 2-floors filled with restaurants is a new foodie haven.  What is interesting about the UP Town Center is that it offers new and pioneer concepts such as the Tokyo Tonteki which has no branch elsewhere in the Metro except there. 

While I intend to venture with the rest, Tokyo Tonteki seemed like the ideal first stop because it was very fresh concept for me.  I've tried Japanese izakayas, the hyped ramen shops and katsu shops, home-cooked style Japanese and many other Japanese restaurants but I've never once encountered Tonteki.  During my visit, I also noticed that it drew the most number of diners among all the establishments in the area.

Tonteki did not actually originate from Tokyo.  It is a famous dish of Yokkaichi City in Mie Prefecture.  Tonteki is derived from Ton which means "Pork" and Teki which means "Steak".  Chef Shusaku Namikawa noticed that there is no restaurant serving Tonteki in Tokyo so on April 15, 2007, he opened the first Tokyo Tonteki offering his own tweaked version of Tonteki in Shibuya Prefecture in Tokyo, Japan.  It became an instant hit which paved way to his opening of three more branches in Japan. 


Although the place is not as spacious with only 40-50 seating capacity, I love the modern and clean interiors with its white soft lofts, soft yellow lighting and wooden walls. 

I bet it took a lot of craftiness to produce this.

Their open kitchen is really open!  There is no glass or anything that separates it from the dining area. 

I also loved there cute black wall with print on some parts of the wall.  The drawings are the same as with their other branches in Japan.

Each table is complete with condiments, sauces, utensils and even small plates.

 Upon ordering, they will place these Tokyo Tonteki cast iron brandished cork pot holders on your table.  What's unique about Tokyo Tonteki is that their servers are also cooks.  All of them are capable of doing every work required in the restaurant.


Food

♥ Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg (175 php)

Upon being served the Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg, I knew I was in for a whole new dining experience.  I consider this dish of modern Japanese.  It's onsen egg and avocado slices wrapped in lettuce and then prosciutto topped with alfalfa laid on a bed of chili mayonnaise.

♥ Spring Roll of Prosciutto, Avocado and Onsen Egg (175 php)

Onsen egg is the Japanese traditional way of cooking the egg in hot springs which are approximately 70°C for 30-40 minutes of slow cooking to produce a milky and creamy custard-like egg white and dark and creamy wet yolk.  This dish is sensational with the beautiful oozing yolk and custard-like egg white, smooth and flavorful avocado slices, crunchy lettuce, slightly salty and chewy prosciutto and lightly tingly alfalfa.

Tonteki Sets (Served with UNLIMITED pork miso soup, rice and cabbage)
For all the sets, you can request extra servings of the pork miso soup, rice and cabbage. The pork miso soup is a miso soup with ground pork and onions.  For the cabbage, you can choose from Balsamic Vinegar, Wafu Dressing or Japanese Mayonnaise.

♥ Ginger Flavored Pork Steak Set (350 php)

The Ginger Flavored Pork Steak Set is one hefty meal!  It's a pan-filled with Ginger Flavored Pork Steak and shredded cabbage served with a bowl of Japanese rice, pork miso soup and Japanese cucumber pickles.

As the Tonteki used are thicker than traditional, the pork steak is fried for about 5 minutes before grilling and being topped with the sauce and other ingredients.  The Ginger Flavored Pork Steak had a slightly sweet gingered sauce which was greatly complemented by the walnuts.  The pork meat is tender and juicy. 



Tonburg

♥ Cheese Tonburg Steak Set (400 php)

For a hearty option, I'd suggest the Cheese Tonburg Steak Set.  It is a pan-filled with Tonburg or Hamburger Steak covered in zesty melted cheese and their special Tonteki sauce.  This is gastronomic with savory, soft and fine ground meaty goodness in every bite. 

Chicken Steak Sets

Chicken Steak Set with Onion Steak Sauce (325 php)

The Chicken Steak Set with Onion Steak Sauce is chicken steak glazed with sweet caramelized onion sauce.  This would be the ideal option for those who don't eat pork.  But I have to admit that the pork delivers a bolder flavor.


Side Dishes (Available only for dinner 6pm onwards)

♥ Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew (280 php)

I'm still wondering why the Sundubu Style Tonteki Stew is listed as a side dish when this dish alone could make me a happy camper with just a cup of rice with it.  We just fell in love with it's sweet, spicy and savory stew with tofu, egg, green onions, beef and wood ear mushrooms.  Perhaps this is the modern Japanese counter part of the red hot and spicy Korean Sundubu Jjigae?

Stir-Fried  Bean Sprouts (190 php)

The Stir-Fried  Bean Sprouts is a small pan filled with buttered crunchy beansprouts and leeks topped with Shichimi Togarashi (seven spice chili powder).

♥ Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms (220 php)

The Stir-Fried Japanese Mushrooms is a mini pan full of buttered three kinds of mushrooms: matsutake, shitake and enoki topped with bonito flakes.

Dessert

Homemade Almond Pudding (110 php)

The Homemade Almond Pudding is a bowlful of silky smooth almond pudding cubes in creamy almond milk.

♥ Cheesecake (140 php)

The Cheesecake is souffled and topped with blueberry syrup.  As expected from a Japanese style cheesecake, this is not as dense as the typical cheesecake.  Yet, it is still profoundly cheesy and creamy and not the cotton chiffon type which is probably why it was heavily sinking on the center.  We enjoyed this!

Other Reviews at UP Town Center
Cafe Shibuya
Casa Verde
Dulcelin Gourmet
Ginza Bairin
Lucca Bakery

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I whole-heartedly welcome Tokyo Tonteki in the Philippines!  I'm sure it will gain as much or even more fame in the Philippines as it did in Japan.  It offers a truly remarkable variety of dishes that can't be enjoyed elsewhere.  The food variety and quality, ambiance and service is outstanding.  The price in relation to the ingredients and serving portions is very reasonable too.