Street food differs in each country, and it’s a good glimpse of what their culinary culture is like. In the Philippines alone we have savory options like grilled pork barbecue and fried quail eggs, as well as sweet ones like mais Street food differs in each country…
Street food differs in each country, and it’s a good glimpse of what their culinary culture is like. In the Philippines alone we have savory options like grilled pork barbecue and fried quail eggs, as well as sweet ones like mais con yelo and turon. Meanwhile, in Japan, specifically in Osaka’s Dotonburi area, they have fried skewers called kushikatsu.
This is another Japanese delicacy I was not familiar with until I got to try it at Kushikatsu Daruma—a new restaurant found in Uptown Mall, BGC.
The resto first opened in Osaka back in 1929. Charlie Paw, the entrepreneur behind Wrong Ramen and Hole in the Wall, visits it often when he’s in Japan and decided to bring the franchise here in the Philippines. “What I like about it is that it serves simple food that also happens to be highly addictive. One or two sticks is never enough,” he says.
As you enter, you are greeted with colorful wall decor containing the restaurant’s mascot Mr. Ueyama. His fun yet stern expression can also be found on the signs that say “NO DOUBLE DIPPING,” as if he was ready to scold you if you do.
The fried skewers are made with several meats and veggies which are deep fried with panko bread crumbs for three to five minutes. You can order individual sticks of traditional kushikatsu for P39 to P59 each, while the special Japanese Oyster and Foie Gras cost P129 and P199, respectively. Not to mention that there are 30 kinds of skewers to choose from.
While waiting for my order to arrive, I picked at a bowl of boiled edamame beans (P155).
