Named after an upscale neighborhood in Tokyo, this restaurant is all about bringing modern Japanese dining to the city, while serving up authentic Japanese dishes and flavors.

Azabu’s Cherry Blossom

Dining here is definitely an experience—upon arrival, diners are served with green tea, which can be taken iced or hot, and the amuse-bouche (hors d’oeuvres) that the chef decides the make that day. The same goes at the end of the meal—the chef serves a selection of deserts that diners can enjoy inclusive with the meal.

What sets Azabu apart from the rest of the Japanese restaurants in the market is their dedication to using only the highest quality ingredients for their dishes. Kobe beef and seafood like octopus and toro—Japanese tuna sashimi that melts in your mouth—are imported straight from Japan, flown in chilled not frozen and stored in the kitchen for no more than three days, if supplies even last that long. Not to say the local tuna they serve isn’t good either—the Cherry Blossom has crabstick and cream cheese in rice and wrapped in tuna, and every bite is delicate and flavorful goodness.

The Cherry Blossom isn’t on the menu though—in fact, Azabu has special dishes that the servers will be happy to share with you, and can even cater to personalized requests. A must-try that is on the menu is the Ebi Tempura, jumbo prawns in a light coating so every bite is full of meat, to be dipped in Azabu’s dipping sauce that’s delicate so as not to overpower the tempura.

Azabu’s Ebi Tempura

• JY Square Prestigio
• Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City
• (032) 239 6849

(Edited from the published article Traveling Plates in Zee Lifestyle March 2014)