Yuki
Unit 106 Garden Level, Assembly Grounds at The Rise, 7248 Malugay Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(SPOT.ph) Metro Manila isn’t exactly lacking in Japanese restaurants, and while the cuisine is well-loved, it can be a bit challenging for new establishments to stand out from what’s already out there. Enter Yuki, the new Japanese-inspired restaurant-café that may just change all your preconceived notions—if you let it.
From outside of the newly opened Assembly Grounds mini-mall at The Rise Makati, Yuki already has a welcoming ambience that’ll draw you in and make you want to cozy up at one of their long, pillowed bench tables. The predominantly bright interiors instantly make the place feel spacious and homey, not unlike the clean and modern home pegs you probably have saved on a Pinterest board. When you take a look around, you’ll probably notice that the interiors don’t look like traditional Japanese restaurants in the Metro, and that’s exactly what Yuki is.
You can still find familiar Japanese dish staples here: There’s the no-fail, classic appetizer, the Kani Salad (P190), a plate of finely cut crab sticks tossed with mango bits, carrots, cucumber, cabbage, and Japanese mayo.
A surprising entry on the menu is the traditionally Chinese Mapo Tofu (P260). Yuki’s version is an uncomplicated spicy tofu dish with garlic, ginger, and ground pork. It’s got just the right amount of heat and spice that’s perfect for every palate, and makes for a filling merienda all on its own.
And can a restaurant really call itself Japanese without rice meals? Yuki’s Beef Gyudon (P290) is overflowing with thinly sliced beef and onions that are simmered in a mildly sweet sauce before being tossed over a bowl of steaming hot rice, while a delicately poached egg sits as its crowning glory.
But equally common as these familiar flavors are dishes you don’t expect to see at many Japanese, or even Asian, joints. Yuki’s own version of Ham & Cheese Sandwich (P280) is a stepped-up take on a childhood favorite, complete with leafy lettuce and juicy tomato sitting with the ham and cheese in between lightly toasted bread. It also comes with a side of Japanese-inspired nori-seasoned potato chips, and honestly, who could say no to that? Yuki also has Spaghetti Bolognese (P250) on the menu, al dente pasta topped with a savory bolognese sauce. Simple and straightforward–exactly how a spaghetti dish should be.
While you’ll find the savory dishes enough to satisfy a wide range of comfort food cravings—Japanese or otherwise—it’s the desserts that will keep you coming back.
Take, for example, their Taiyaki (P160), where you can get a taste of Hokkaido. These waffle-like pastries are baked with your choice of filling and later on come served with a side of creme brûlée, freshly cut fruit, and hearty cream. If the fun fish shapes of Yuki’s taiyaki don’t have you posting a photo on your IG food feed, then the burst of flavors with every bite will get you raving. Choose among three fillings: cheese, Nutella, or azuki. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a real treat.
If it’s your first time, go for their Classic Banana Nutella Waffle (P240), a pair of golden-brown waffles with a delicate drizzle of Nutella, served with a side of lightly glazed banana slices. You can even opt for the Liege version of their traditional waffle options, which are on the crispier side thanks to its yeast base and pearl sugar.
Fancy crepes? Don’t be surprised that Yuki has a few options, too. Their Mango Dulce de Leche (P240) has an added but welcome bite that deviates from typical pillowy crepes. It’s served with fresh silky mangoes that add another dimension of both texture and flavor to the crepe’s otherwise sugary caramel filling.
But perhaps the star of the show is Yuki’s take on the ultra-soft, ultra-fluffy Japanese Pancakes (P240). These jiggly pancakes come dusted with finely powdered sugar, then drizzled with lip-smackingly sweet maple syrup. While they may appear dense at first glance, you’ll soon discover that it simply melts in your mouth with each bite. Dive right in; it’s almost like eating a cloud—if that cloud were made of flour, eggs, and cream, that is.
Between its broad menu of traditional Japanese favorites and the welcome blend of comfort dishes and desserts, Yuki can be your next go-to spot when calling the squad together for a good time. Everything is familiar and homey—and isn’t that what makes any dining experience worth it?
Photos by Jericho San Miguel
