Takumi is located at Windsor Square in Makati. Handout
There's a new Japanese restaurant in Makati, and it lets diners have a taste of a traditional cooking method that is not yet widely available in the metro.
Located at Windsor Square along Arnaiz Avenue (right across Dusit Thani hotel), Takumi is operated by a Kyoto-based company that has more than 35 restaurants across Japan. Named after the Japanese word for "skillful" or "artisan," it was launched in the country through a partnership with The Vikings Group, a homegrown interactive buffet chain.
Inside Takumi. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Takumi co-owner Kotaro Miyake. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Just to get it out of the way, Takumi is not an all-you-can-eat concept, although its menu has a dizzying amount of dishes that include sushi, tempura, and yakitori, among others. But don't get distracted as the real star here is warayaki, a traditional Japanese grilling technique that uses dried rice straw.
I've always enjoyed Katsuo no Tataki whenever I'm in Japan's Shikoku island, and I was delighted to see that a version of it is served at Takumi during the media launch. Katsuo Warayaki is fresh bonito (skipjack tuna) flash-seared over burning straw, leaving a charred, smoky crust while keeping the inside completely raw like sashimi.
This can be ordered a la carte or as part of a sampler platter that includes more straw-grilled items such as salmon, duck, sea bream, and even A5 wagyu. To enhance the flavor, you can add ponzu, soy sauce, or salt (the meats go well with garlic and ginger), which are all served on the side.
This warayaki platter (left) includes bonito, salmon, sea bream, duck, and A5 wagyu, all prepared in Takumi's live grilling station (right). Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News/Handout
"Our recommendation is the 5 kinds of warayaki," Takumi co-owner Kotaro Miyake told ABS-CBN News through an interpreter. "But my favorite is the straw-grilled A5 wagyu."
"Warayaki uses straw but we only grill the outside. The inside is still rare," he added. "So diners can enjoy the aromas and the texture."
Takumi's live stations provide culinary theater as you get to see ingredients grilled on an open flame. Aside from warayaki, the restaurant also offers robatayaki, which uses hot charcoal similar to barbecue. Options range from giant tiger prawns to Hokkaido scallops, oysters, and even a whole fish.
Takumi's chefs in action. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Sashimi platter and yakitori sampler. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
There are at least two pages on the menu dedicated to sushi if you're looking for something more filling, as well as ramen, udon, soba, steak, salads, fried dishes, and dessert. Takumi also has a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, and the sake options come with notes to help diners pick which one suits their palate.
Overall, it's a nice place for any celebration. It's big enough to accommodate large groups and even has private rooms that can be booked with a minimum consumable amount, starting at P3,000.
Open from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, Takumi is located at Lower Ground Floor, Windsor Square, 1030 Arnaiz Avenue, San Lorenzo, Makati. Book a table here.