By Abigail Javellana
Chaya is our go-to place for Japanese food in Baguio. Owned by a Josef Moselina and his Japanese wife Sonoko Taguchi, the homey resto would make anyone skeptical to find delicious, authentic Japanese dishes being served in such a typical cottage home.
This should be no surprise, however, as the wife’s cooking experience comes from growing up in her grandma and aunt’s restaurant in Japan.
Here’s what we liked from our revisit to Chaya…
CHAYA BAGUIO
72 Legarda Road, Baguio City
Telephone: +(63 74) 424-4726
Mobile: +63 915 9054820
Email: greenchayabaguio@gmail.com
Facebook: Chaya Baguio
Website: www.chayarestaurant.com
Operating Hours: 11.00 am – 9.00 pm, daily
The restaurant still has the same honey Baguio vibe but with more items on the menu.
Chaya Menu: Appetizer | Salad | Rice Bowl | A La Carte | A La Carte | A La Carte | A La Carte | Sushi | Sashimi | Sweets | Drinks
Complimentary Appetizers that vary every visit.
We were served with a savory cooked tuna and salmon in sake and soy sauce. It resembles our “paksiw” but is prepared in a Japanese way.
The other appetizer was local spinach steamed with ponzu sauce.
Complimentary Tea
Make sure to order the lemongrass tea. It has a subtle citrus flavor and clean finish.
Agedashi Tofu (P180)
Soft fried Japanese Silk Tofu served with dashi sauce, topped with onion leeks, sesame seeds, and bonito flakes.
The dish is light, sweet, and savory. I just love how Japanese tofu melts in your mouth.
Spicy Tuna Salad (P390)
Our favorite spicy tuna sashimi turned into a salad.
Fresh tuna is mixed with mayonnaise, chili powder, onion leaks, and tempura chips, with fresh lettuce, red radish, and cherry tomatoes in sesame dressing.
The generous portion of tuna were a treat.
Tofu Salad (small – P220, full – P290)
Japanese Silk Tofu and vegetables topped with sesame dressing.
Ramen (P300)
A steaming bowl of ramen noodle soup, perfect for the cold Baguio weather. Slowly simmered chicken bone broth with a rich flavor, topped with smokey chashu, marinated bamboo shoots, soft boiled egg, onion leaks, and nori.
Too bad they don’t make their own noodles, but still good ramen. 🙂
Maki Sushi Variety (P650)
Mix of their California maki, kappa (cucumber) maki, and tekka (tuna) maki. Quite big, good for 3 to 4 people.
Sashimi Variety (P650/ P450)
Chaya takes pride in their sashimi selection that is delivered fresh daily.
Their tuna comes from General Santos and they serve two grades–Maguro Akami and Maguro Toro.
Maguro Akami tuna is the normal tuna or red meat that we are used to eating in regular sushi restaurants in Manila, while Maguro Toro is the medium fatty tuna found in the belly tip. I love the fatty marbled texture that slightly melts in your mouth.
Homemade Shime Aji Sashimi
The pickled mackerel was a bit salty for me (would’ve liked it to be more sour), the uni was full of umami flavors, and the squid sashimi was creamy.
The kajiki toro sashimi (blue marlin) and the pink Salmon sashimi were fatty and fresh.
Mixed Tempura (P380)
A well-plated variety of prawn, squid, kamote tops, eggplant, sweet potato, okra, and squash flower tempura.
The batter had the right amount of thickness, which is just the way I like it.
Chocolate Parfait (P180). Vanilla and chocolate ice cream with cereals and banana.
Cream Anmitsu (P180). Vanilla and green tea ice cream with sweetened red mongo, mango, jelly, grapes, and banana topped with whipped cream.
Dessert at Chaya is a must! Their ice cream isn’t so sweet, with a very smooth and thick texture. I like how all the toppings compliment each other.
We’re glad that the Chaya we’ve come to know and love still maintains its charm. The authentic Japanese dishes and the homey feel really make this place unique and memorable.
Order their sashimi platter, agedashi tofu, tempura, and dessert!
Make sure to reserve seats ahead of time.
CHAYA BAGUIO
72 Legarda Road, Baguio City
Telephone: +(63 74) 424-4726
Mobile: +63 915 9054820
Email: greenchayabaguio@gmail.com
Facebook: Chaya Baguio
Website: www.chayarestaurant.com
Operating Hours: 11.00 am – 9.00 pm, daily
Live an Awesome Life,
Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our experience was courtesy of Chaya. We wrote this article with our biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. “Chaya” refers to a spice in Japan, commonly used by the wife to prepare her food.