Beef Sukiyaki

Once upon a time, a family passionate about food decided to build a cozy Japanese restaurant in the vicinity of Las Piñas. And the story of Kari-Nabe, the House of Hotpot began.

“We are [a family] who actually likes to eat, [including] Japanese food. We felt that the Filipino market treats Japanese cuisine as comfort food,” shares Eleanor Letran, one of the restaurant’s co-owners. Aside from being food lovers, Letran and her relatives aim to present curry in a different light to the Filipino market through the restaurant. “We observed that the [Philippine] market lacked what we call a ‘curry market.’ Most Filipinos are not too keen on spicy food and curry is usually associated with spice. But when you talk about Japanese curry, it’s more flavorful rather than spicy,” says Letran.

“We also think that Japanese food should not be expensive and it should also be satisfying,” Letran furthers. This statement is evident in Kari-Nabe’s menu that offers generous servings of Japanese cuisine without burning a hole in your wallet.

For starters, should you wish to take a rest from the requisite sushi and maki, you may opt for a Japanese siomai, much like the ones found in every dimsum shop, only that it is uniquely wrapped with nori and topped with crabstick bits.

Kari-Nabe’s Beef Sukiyaki is one of its best sellers. The dish combines the elements of crisp and fresh vegetables; thin, tender slices of beef; firm noodles—all soaked in a clear, brown soup that’s rightly sweet, topped with one raw egg—and served in a hot metal pot.  It is a veritable meal in itself already, with servings good for two persons.  However, it’s advisable to leave some space for your tummy if you want to explore the potential of the restaurant’s line of dishes.

For example, the Ika Tempura has squared chunks of firm squid engulfed in a crispy yet light tempura batter. Another staple is the Yakisoba, stir fried noodles with toppings of vegetables and meat. The slices of cabbage and green and red bell peppers thrown into the mix neutralize the entire dish to make it into a flavorsome meal. 

Should you crave for rice, the Kari-Nabe Fried Rice is a pretty fair choice, with kernels of corn, chopped onion leeks, and shrimp, among others.

To truly savor the authentic Kari-Nabe experience, you may indulge your senses with a selection of rice toppings from Mixed Seafood Fry to the chewy Gyuniku beef dish, a typical rice topping dish served in a Japanese clay hot pot which comes with a siding of fried egg and a sauce of your choice: curry or teriyaki.

Poured all over your dish, the sauces, though, have something to root about all on their own.  Contrary to the usual strong spice-filled flavor usually associated with a curry sauce, the restaurant’s version is mild yet flavorful while the teriyaki sauce starts off quite subtle but as it lingers in your tongue long enough, you can taste the hints of soy sauce and wasabi making a play on your taste buds.

All of these and more are best served with a cold and refreshing drink of your choice with the recommended Kari-Nabe Iced Tea, a concoction of green tea and fruit juices that quenches your thirst with a fitting juxtaposition of flavors.  Kari-Nabe, House of Hotpot is located at Unit 201, SM Center Las Piñas. For further inquiries, call (02) 403-2990 or send an email at rkarinabe@yahoo.com.