MANILA – Fifteen years after he founded Teriyaki Boy in 2001, entrepreneur Bryan Tiu debuted his latest Japanese restaurant concept with Ichiba, which opened at Newport Mall of Resorts World Manila last Friday.

Ichiba, which means “market” in Japanese, is perhaps Tiu’s most ambitious project since he sold 70% of Teriyaki Boy to the Pancake House Group. As president and CEO of I-Foods Inc., Tiu has created new brands like Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken, Stackers Burger Café and Kogi Bulgogi.

But Japanese cuisine seems to be Tiu’s specialty. After Teriyaki Boy, he also opened Tokyo Café, Miso-Ten Ramen and Tempura and the fine-dining outlet Wafu.

“We try to get inspiration from markets all over Japan like Tsukiji Market in Tokyo,” Tiu said in a speech at the launch of Ichiba, which he called his “dream project.”

Asia Brewery executive Hubert Tan, whose company opened the first-ever the first ever Asahi Super Dry bar in Ichiba, praised Tiu for coming up with an “innovative and first-of-a-kind” concept.

“This is certainly the most exclusive dampa concept you will ever find,” Tan said.

Ichiba’s lively interiors mimic the ambience of Japan’s bustling markets, with aquariums, where guests can select live ingredients from lobsters and crabs to a variety of fishes and shellfish. They can then have these cooked the way they want – fried, grilled, baked, steamed or stewed, among others.

Tiu noted that with its location near the international airport, customers can expect fresh ingredients flown in from Japan, just like the whole tuna which was expertly cut by a Japanese master and was the highlight of Ichiba’s opening party.

Meanwhile, at the center of the restaurant are stalls, where Japanese street food like yakitoris and takoyakis, as well as all-time favorites like tempura and ramen, are prepared in full view of guests.

Although seafood is the specialty at Ichiba, meat lovers can also choose from a range of high-grade steaks and meats from Wagyu to Angus beef, which the chefs can also prepare just the way they like it.

There is even a small Japanese grocery near the entrance.

Here’s what you can expect at the metro’s latest destination for Japanese food.

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