Surprise: Juicy-AF Hamburg Steak Is the Standout on Ikinari Steak’s Menu

Ikinari Steak
G/F MOA Square, Seashell Lane cor Marina Way, Pasay
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ikinariph

(SPOT.ph) Steak is always a good idea, and if there's anyone who knows a thing or two about cooking great beef, it's the Japanese. Fancy as the dish sounds, there is one Japanese dining spot that dishes out great steaks in a more casual setting: Ikinari Steak. And after months of salivating over old food pics from Japan, it’s finally here.

Also read: Is the Japan-Famous Ikinari Steakhouse Coming to Manila?

Ikinari Steak makes its PH splash at MOA Square:

Also known as Sudden Steak, Ikinari is a mainstay on many a tourist’s itinerary while in the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s an easy spot to add to the list wherever you’re going, considering that it has over 400 branches in the country, making it one of Japan’s biggest and most recognizable restaurants.

You’ll find Ikinari Steak’s newest branch—its very first in the Philippines, and Southeast Asia on top of that—at MOA Square, just an escalator ride down from IKEA. Yup, that makes it an excellent stop for lunch if you’re not in the mood for meatballs.

From out on the street, the restaurant looks almost nondescript, with only the signage and a glimpse of customers wearing bibs through the huge windows hinting at the fact that you’re right outside Japan’s biggest fast steak chain. Basically: If you know, you know.

But if you don’t, in fact, know and are wondering what “fast steak” even means, the premise of Ikinari is simple: thick, high-quality cuts of meat, a casual and relaxed setting you won’t need to dress up for, and most importantly, reasonable price points that won’t make you feel like you just set your wallet on fire.

Walk into the restaurant, and you’ll find yourself greeted by a huge window facing into a gleaming kitchen, where busy cooks are prepping and grilling beautifully marbled certified Angus beef. The open kitchen is the centerpiece to the open, no-nonsense, yet still warm space designed by A+U, the partner design firm of the restaurant chain in Japan. One special feature here is that unlike its Japanese counterparts with standing room only, this take on Ikinari Steak houses tables and comfy chairs perfect for those needing a good rest after navigating the Mall of Asia complex.

Like the space, Ikinari’s lean and mean menu gets straight to the meat: there is steak and only steak here, with literally six dishes available all showcasing high-grade beef, with no appetizers or sides to distract your inner carnivore (unless you count the beef soup, a small salad, and a bowl of rice).

And if your inner carnivore is starving, you’ll be glad to know that Ikinari makes an already-decent cut of 200 grams the pre-portioned default for their steaks—but allows you to adjust how thick or how much of it you want based on weight. Also: every item on the menu comes with a bowl of rice!

When in doubt, put on your complimentary bib and order yourself Ikinari’s signature Ribeye (P1,199/200 grams). Rich and buttery, this juicy-AF steak arrives with a swirl of margarine melting into it (chef’s kiss) on a sizzling plate, which allows you to adjust its doneness however you like. Also of note: the helping of broccoli and onions on the side that’s generous enough to take you back to a time when there wasn’t a black market for the latter.

If you’re on a mission to remember that the world still has some good in it, then the Tenderloin (P1345/200 grams) is a showstopper when it arrives sizzling away, topped with toasted garlic chips. It’s Ikinari’s thickest and most premium cut, but you wouldn’t know it from how tender and buttery it is as you take bite after juicy-AF bite.

Those with the decisiveness of a stereotypical Libra—or thinking “how different can parts of the same kind of cow taste anyway?”—can also try a bit of everything on one sizzling plate with Ikinari’s Assorted Cuts (P920/200 grams). This features their premium order cuts like ribeye and their Wild Steak, a certified Angus chuck eye steak chock-full of fatty, meaty flavor. You get a surprise with every bite, and it’s one of the few items on the menu that’s cut up for you already, making it easy to share with whoever you’re dining with.

The light seasoning on each these steaks makes them glorious on their own, but the Ikinari Steak experience wouldn’t truly be complete without their sauces (choose between sweet or spicy) or condiments (garlic paste, wasabi), which you can mix and match to find your own magic combination.

However, there is one dark horse on the menu that has no need for these condiments, instead being the only one to come with its own special sauce—and plot twist, it’s the cheapest dish you can order. The unassuming Hamburg Steak (P475/200 grams, P610/300 grams) is the most addictive item on the menu—and you'll need more than one incredibly tender bite of its peppery, buttery goodness with its sweet and umami onion sauce to be convinced. It’s the stuff of dreams, with richness, saltiness, and sweetness playing off each other in a vicious cycle of I-can’t-stop-eating. Pro tip: this is one dish where you absolutely won’t want to skip the rice.

Sugar fiends, take note: Ikinari Steak has no dessert on the menu. But if you’ve got a hankering for something sweet to end your meal, you can order a bottle of their ceremonial-grade Matcha Latte (P180). Creamy and sweet in the mouth—and deliciously frothy after a good shake—this take is great for those who prefer their Matcha Lattes light on the grassy flavor.

If you plan to get your fill of great steak that won’t break the bank, make your move soon: Ikinari Steak has an opening promo where you can get 100 grams of their addicting Hamburg Steak for every order of steak from December 18 to December 25, 2022. But if you miss this deal, try catching their lunch promos instead, which serves up special plates you can only get at midday, such as the Wild Combo, which puts together a juicy combination of Ikinari’s Wild Steak and Hamburg Steak on one sizzling plate for just P777.

Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.