There’s nothing quite like okonomiyaki in the world of food. It’s a savory pancake that somehow reminds of an omelet or even our very own ukoy. It’s that odd dish that combines a hodgepodge of ingredients held together with a flour-based batter, grilled on a teppan, and topped with even more ingredients to deliver a truly filling meal in one.

Believed to have originated in the Kansai region, this Japanese original is associated with the city of Osaka where one can find it most anywhere, either at DIY grills or diner-style eateries. One such restaurant, Chibo Okonomiyaki, is famous for cooking its okonomiyaki on a teppan grill. Established in 1973 at Sennichimae in Osaka, this restaurant is one of the most prominent okonomiyaki and teppanyaki restaurants in the city, with its six-story flagship dominating the celebrated Dotonbori food and shopping arcade.

This Osaka landmark has since expanded around Japan, and overseas with outlets in Hawaii, Vietnam, Thailand, and now the Philippines, with a first branch in Conrad S Maison, followed by a second one at the newly revamped Podium Mall.

The Chibo Okonomiyaki menu lets you choose from a large selection of okonomiyaki, from the standard Butatama with pork, to the generously layered Hiroshima Yaki filled with cabbage, bean sprouts, pork, shrimp, squid, scallops, noodles and egg. But it’s not just okonomiyaki that’s on the menu, with a variety of yakisoba and seafood and wagyu beef teppanyaki dishes on offer as well. The Podium branch exclusively has premium executive lunch sets prepared by the group’s Executive Head Chef, Kanji Nakamura, himself. The Pork Ju is composed of spinach, onions, and pork belly slices in shoyu wine sauce. The Mixed Seafood Ju has Norwegian salmon, US scallops, squid, and tiger prawns in salt garlic sauce. The US Angus Steak Ju comes with garlic ginger wine sauce. The Unagi Kabayaki Ju has with freshwater Japanese eel marinated in sweet sake and dark soy sauce. Prices range from P488 to P888, with all sets served with rice, salad, miso soup, and house blend iced tea.

Whether you order the okonomiyaki, or go for the teppanyaki or the set lunches, Chibo Okonomiyaki promises a true taste of Osaka with every bite.

2/F S Maison, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, (02) 898-3333

5/F The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, (02) 721-0333

chibo.ph