BUDGET-FRIENDLY JAPANESE FOOD AT ZIPANG

Let's admit it, wherever in the world you are, Japanese food is always pricier than average. In fact, one of the priciest meals you can ever have on Earth is a ￥30,000 (or USD241 or SGD340 or PHP11,156) sushi tasting at Jiro Ono's Three Michelin starred Sukiyabashi Jiro. All the hype around it makes it a bucket list item for food lovers. I mean, how can you not be even a little bit curious? They make it sound almost magical. 

But as much as almost everybody loves Japanese food, not everyone's wallets run as deep as the Mariana's trench. Luckily, there are still safe havens that charge reasonably for decent portions of the much loved cuisine. One of which I was able to drop by with my mom and boyfriend. She discovered Zipang through my foodie aunt and uncle. It's near Tomas Morato, but on a more residential street. This quaint enclave is ran by a Japanese guy who warmly greets you from his sushi counter when you first walk in. It might look ordinary, but I kid you not when I say it's an uni lovers' paradise. We had an enjoyable meal that was heavily boosted by an abundance of budget-friendly uni. If you love uni, this is the place for you. ;) Itadakimasu! Let's eat -

rice tea

mom grounding sesame seeds

sashimi platter - it comes with uni! ohmygod, where else can you find that?!

mom's katsu set

katsudon

ebi tempura

uni sushi

chirashi don (also comes with uni, omg)

Zipang is located at 6 11th Jamboree, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila, Philippines