The Legend of Sushi Kappo Kobikicho is true. It is the best-kept secret Japanese restaurant in town — even my Japanese friend doesn’t know about it. It is hidden in the unpopular part of Legaspi street where buildings are currently being demolished. Thanks to Teddy for sharing this secret. 🙂
Sushi Kappo Kobikicho is an authentic Japanese restaurant that has “New York chic”. There, you can find two minimalist, private, fine-dining rooms and two sushi bars. The manager (in a tux!) and the waitresses bow twice every time they enter the rooms and before they exit. It was all a bit intimidating, but the welcoming and assuring smiles of the servers were enough to make us feel at home.
It is run by four young Japanese chefs. One of the chefs goes to the fresh market in Japan every week just to ensure that the quality of ingredients is at par with restaurants in Japan.
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Origin of Kobikicho
“KOBIKICHO is a historical town in the center of Tokyo in the 16th Century at the height of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Presently, the town is famous for its upscale Japanese restaurants (Japanese IKI style, chic) but with traditional cooking style and nuance of hospitality. This is also where KABUKI-ZA (KABUKI Theater) is located. This area is in a prominent city of Japan well-known as GINZA.”
(source: Sushi Kappo Kobikicho)
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The Main Sushi Bar can accommodate 10 people comfortably, with the Japanese chefs personally preparing the meals in front. Vivid red accents and the artistic images of Japan around the dining area create a youthful and vibrant ambiance.
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You can also reserve the smaller sushi bar for a group of 6 (or perhaps a dinner for two during Valentine’s Day). 🙂
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Eight people can comfortably sit in each of the two private rooms, which are separated by a divider that can be collapsed anytime you need a much bigger one. The white leather chairs and the tables made of tempered glass complete the room’s chic appeal.
Kobikicho Introduction | Lunch Menu 1 | Lunch Menu 2 and Kobachi Appetizer | Dinner Menu | Otsukuri and Sushi Roll | Red Wine, Champagne | White Wine, Whisky and Brandy | Sake | Beer & Softdrinks
The formula is simple: Authentic Japanese Ingredients & Chef + Minimalist Chic Ambiance + Stellar Service. All that will make you say, “WOW.”
Appetizer: Gyunikomen – Simmered beef with mushroom, tofu and onion leeks on top.
It was literally a bite-size portion, but it was full of flavor from the sauce and the other ingredients.
Appetizer: Harusame Salad with carrots and cucumber.
This Japanese Salad was so good that we tried to ask for a second serving (but to no avail).
Complimentary hot tea is served with all the meals.
We were glad that Aidan was on his best behavior because the ambiance of the place just seemed so “delicate”.
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Ginger Pork (P600+SC). Sauteed pork flavored with special ginger sauce. Served with appetizer, pickles, miso soup, steamed rice and dessert.
We expected more from this dish but it tasted like something you can order in your neighborhood Japanese store. We regret that we did not order the Daily Special (P750+SC) instead. That one comes with three kinds of dishes based on the Chef’s recommendation.
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Zuke-Don (P600+SC). Tuna sashimi marinated in special soy sauce on top of sushi rice. Served with appetizer, pickles, miso soup and dessert.
This is the bestseller, and you’ll know why the moment you see this Blue Fin Tuna Sashimi from Omabe, Japan. There are three portions of the tuna, namely: toro – the fatty cuts; chutoro – the medium fatty cuts; and akami – the lean cuts. The last one is used in Zuke-don.
This dish is topped with Ikura (salmon eggs) and has its own special sashimi sauce and fresh wasabi from Masumo Otogi.
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This small scoop of green tea ice cream is the best way to end your meal. You will forget that you almost paid P700 for your lunch.
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The secret is out! 🙂
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G-03 Corporate Plaza (former JAKA II Bldg.)
150 Legaspi Street
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Telephone: +632 752-1280
Email: admin@kobikicho.com
Website: www.kobikicho.com
Everything looks so delish! :)thanks for getting the secret out 🙂
wow, not bad considering you got good quality food (and in a nice place too!) i just had japanese at the foodcourt here in SG and spent p650 on a set meal that wasn’t as impressive as this. Thank you for sharing this, hope to try it soon 🙂
Anton, I have walked by this place countless times on my way to and from pilates on the same block. Thank you for featuring it. Will definitely try it soon. It reminds me of those authentic Japanese places tucked away in the corners of the East Village in New York. Love it!
Interesting. A Japanese friend of mine who ate there with her friends didn’t enjoy the experience (she’s a cooking instructor and her friends were Swiss hoteliers visiting). When I suggested that I’d try it anyway, she warned me not to bother. Too expensive she said, and not worth the price. I guess I’d try it someday so I can decide for myself…
saw your blog as one of the top 100 popular technorati blogs! good job! hope you can visit my blog too…
Hi Anton, would you know if the Zuke-Don is available only in the afternoon ? Planning to eat here soon pero sa evening!
great review by the way 🙂
I believe this place is co-owned by comedian Bayani Agbayani. It was once featured in a magazine.
Aha dito malamang nabasa ni Jin-jie eto hehe! He even forwarded me their website so that I can bring him there next time…
Hi Anton,
This reminds me of our dinner at Chibori http://www.janedchua.com/2008/10/08/chibori-%e2%80%93cebu/ , a Japanese restaurant in Cebu.
It’d be interesting to visit this place soon! And Zenses Neo-Shanghai for their remixes of dishes.
Jane
Between Bites
http://www.janedchua.com
been there over 2 years ago.. don’t know what the big deal is all about… overpriced!
just go to kyubei in tokyo, now thats sushi
Hi Anton,
Thanks for the insight- we love your recommendations and look forwward to trying this “secret” spot when we are back in Manila.
Joan
You’re welcome, My Japanese Friend said it is expensive so they don’t bother
to try it… but it is really good to try once
i believe all it’s expensive because:
1. authentic japanese food made by japanese chefs…
2. ALL ingredients are fresh and they really come from japan
3. the food’s good…
i think it’s worth it..
for me, it’s still in the top of my list amongst japanese restos here in manila… and i’ve been to a LOT of japanese restos…
please try it out for yourself…
happy eating!:)
This is as good as it gets in terms of Japanese food in Manila.
Not as good as the top restaurants in Tokyo, but better than 99% of what you have in Manila.
If you want over priced – do indeed go to Kyubei mentioned above. The sushi is so, so and I feel they live off their reputation.
Believe it or not, the best sushi I have had is at Sushi Yasuda in NY City. Hands-down, best. Including the numerous sushi places I have tried in Ginza and Tsukiji.
Why is that this blog is focused on authentic Japanese dining plus SUSHI and yet i don’t see any sushi on the food you ordered. how would we know the quality and the presentation of their sushi?