Savoring the rich and colorful flavors of Japan is now within reach for Filipinos, visa not required, as Mitsukoshi in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) opens more dining outlets that capture the culinary scenes of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
In an exclusive media food crawl, Mitsukoshi BGC highlighted the best of the retail center stating with the offerings at Itadaki Food Court.
Located at the basement floor, the food court is inspired by the phrase Itadakimasu, a Japanese expression of gratitude before meals. Here, diners can enjoy a flurry of options that take root from Japan.
There are familiar favorites like Saboten Express, a go-to for Japanese food enthusiasts who can’t get enough of crispy tonkatsu and savory curry sets. Sides such as Agedashi Tofu and Chicken Karaage complete the meal. Bad Bird follows suit with its Umami Fried Chicken paired with Torched Corn & Cream Cheese and a glass of Grape Cream Soda.
Tenya Express, known for its tendon and tempura, offer the bestselling Asakusa Special Tendon, a feast complete with black tiger prawns, green beans, and tempura over Japanese rice drizzled with original don tare sauce. For Japanese curry fans, try the Pork Cutlet Omelette Curry from Coco Ichibanya, which combines tender, breaded pork cutlets with a fluffy omelette and aromatic Japanese curry sauce.
Noodle lovers will delight at Mitsuyado Sei-men’s Tsukemen, offerings, especially the bestselling Cheese Tsukemen that feature freshly made noodles and a Yuzu Broth.
For burger fans, Mos Burger presents a tasty menu with timeless offerings like the Wagyu Classic Burger as well as unique bites like the Beef Yakiniku Rice Burger.
Adding to this culinary adventure, Chibo Okonomiyaki tempts diners with bite-sized Takoyaki and the iconic Okonomiyaki. For a taste of comforting tempura, Nadai Fujisoba offers Ebi Ten Tempura, featuring sweet shrimp with a light, crispy batter, alongside Yasai Kakiage Tempura featuring seasonal vegetables.
There are also exclusive restaurants within Itadaki Food Court, including Cuddle, a quick stop for authentic Japanese home-cooked meals; and Ajisho, where diners can create their own custom rice bowl with fresh ingredients like sea urchin and salmon.
Besides Japanese offerings, Itadaki Food Court also carry other cuisines such as Negrenese (courtesy of Manila Nasal), Cantonese (Lam’s Table), Chinese (Lam Mein).
The wide variety of cuisines continue on the second floor with Spice & Soy, another Mitsukoshi BGC exclusive. Here, the vibrant flavors of Hong Kong blend beautifully with Japanese influences. Be sure to try the Pork Belly Muy Chai, which offers a perfect balance of salty, sour, and sweet flavors, and the Steamed Chicken Fillet with Black Mushroom in Lotus Leaves.
A must not miss at this level of the mall is Bijin Nabe by Tsukada Nojo’s Collagen Hotpot. Be sure to try tts exquisite broth, made from natural collagen sourced from premium chicken, which simmered with fresh ingredients for over eight hours to fully extract the collagen.
Tilting a little towards Western cuisine, there’s the Prologue D’Fined, where French-inspired cuisine shines with fine dining flair, showcasing Hokkaido Octopus and Pumpkin Flower Tempura, as well as mains like French Duck Breast and Jade Perch Aqua Pazzo.
Diners can also indulge in Spanish cuisine at El Born. Currently accessible only in Mitsukoshi BGC, chef David Amoros’s Catalan-Mediterranean dishes — like the Pollo Al Josper, Arroz De Carne Iberica, and the much talked-about El Born Cheesecake — offer a delicious detour.
For those who want to end the food crawl on a sweet note, there’s the Sawada Ichigo Cafe, the first and so far the only Japanese café in the Philippines that use authentic Beni Hoppe strawberries in a variety of exquisite desserts. Satisfy cravings with the refreshing Kezuri Ichigo (shaved frozen strawberries that don’t use ice and sugar), Shirayuki Kezuri, and the Ichigo Milk Smoothie. For a limited time too, diners can enjoy the seasonal white strawberries that give dessert more sweet and less tang.
Meanwhile, Key Coffee Kissaten and The Matcha Tokyo both opened their first branches in the Philippines at Mitsukoshi BGC, offering a delightful array of beverages and treats. Key Coffee Kissaten serves delicious brews alongside imaginative offerings such as the Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Additionally, there is a new sweet twist for car lovers at Key Coffee Kissaten. The Japanese roasters partnered with Lexus Philippines to brew up an exclusive menu meant to deliver a unique experience that blends the world of sleek cars with artisan coffee. Available only at the Lexus showroom inside the mall, the exclusive menu offers signature Key Coffee beverages and Lexus-inspired dishes like Wafu Salad and Wagyu beef burger.
Looking for doughnuts? Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory will satisfy with decadent treats made from Hokkaido milk, including best-selling Nama Doughnuts available in different flavors like Mascarpone and Custard, Rare Cheese, and the seasonal Salted Caramel.
Mitsukoshi BGC is not about eating authentic flavors of Japan. With Mitsukoshi Fresh, the premium retail space can also be a destination for home cooks who want to whip up Japanese dishes using authentic ingredients.
This vibrant marketplace offers a selection of hard-to-find ingredients and delicacies, including fresh produce and air-freighted frozen fish and sashimi. Discover locally harvested fresh and baked oysters, as well as premium A5 Wagyu beef straight from Japan, renowned for its exceptional marbling and rich flavor.
Products like clear shoyu, cherry blossom-shaped pasta, and sake adorned with golden flakes, are all perfect for adding a unique touch to homemade creations.
The market place also turns the grocery shopping experience into a multi-sensory celebration. As customers stroll through the aisles, they are greeted by the sizzle of the grill at The Meat Kitchen, where expertly cooked meats are served as skewers or comforting rice bowls. They may also notice the enticing aromas of hot meals and freshly baked goodies from Cafe Dolci. For coffee enthusiasts, the UCC Experience hub at the heart of the store also offers a chance to sample freshly ground beans.
While Mitsukoshi is a great destination for those who dwell outside BGC, the upscale mall is another perk for the residents of The Seasons Residences, an upscale residential condominium with a distinct Japanese concept.
The Seasons Residences is developed by Federal Land, Inc. in collaboration with Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. The result is a harmonious coexistence of authentic Japanese traditions with the warm spirit of Filipino hospitality.
With direct elevator access to Mitsukoshi BGC, the residents of The Seasons Residences are just a few steps away from indulging in the rich flavors and authentic experiences that the upscale retail destination has to offer. It’s not just a visit, it can be their way of life.
Learn more about The Seasons Residences by logging in at www.theseasonsresidences.ph or visiting their showroom located at 7th Avenue corner 34th Street, Grand Central Park, BGC.
