Savor heavenly Japanese fare at Aozora Bistro & Cafe in Tagaytay

Tagaytay City is of the best weekend destinations since it’s only about two hours away from all the busy-ness of Metro Manila.

Surrounded by the scenic view of the Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, foodies flock to Tagaytay for awesome food finds and the cool weather. But we must admit, for those of us who absolutely love Japanese cuisine, there’s really no viable option in Tagaytay… Until Aozora came along.

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Bringing Japan to Tagaytay
Addressing the need for an authentic Japanese restaurant in Tagaytay, entrepreneur Christine Villongco teamed up with Japanese chef Seiji Kamura and opened Aozora Japanese Bistro and Cafe on May 2015.

“Aozora” means “sky” in Japanese, the perfect name for a place that serves heavenly Japanese food and showcases the gorgeous blue sky over Taal Lake.

The interiors also reflect Japanese minimalism, shifting the focus to the food instead of the decor

Chef Kamura, with over 30 years of culinary experience under his belt, shared that about 90% of their ingredients are imported from Japan or suppliers from Metro Manila where other authentic restaurants get their goods.

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“We make sure our ingredients are fresh and authentic, we [spare no expense],” Chef Kamura said.

When you want nothing but the best, finding the right supplier could be a challenge. But with Chef Kamura’s connections—some of which come all the way from the land of the rising sun—they were able to find a viable source for their ingredients, making every dish at Aozora taste like a meal right out of Japan.

“Since we are the first and only authentic Japanese restaurant in the area, we want to set the bar really high,” Chef Kamura said. “We do not [skimp on ingredients] and we prioritize [taste over convenience].”

Heavenly treats
One visit to Aozora won’t be enough to try everything on their menu, but Chef Kamura suggests trying their best-sellers when you visit.

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To start the meal, Chef Kamura recommends their Tuna Avocado Salad—served in a hollowed out avocado shell, the salad is a generous serving of creamy and spicy mixture of avocado and fresh tuna.

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After the salad, be amazed by their signature dish: Dragon Maki. It’s a giant prawn tempura wrapped and rolled into a maki. Served with its tail and head for an additional wow factor, the sweet fresh prawn goes great with the salty nori (seaweed wrapper) and bits of crispy tempura batter. The tangy Japanese mayo completes the dish and provides a creamy background for the crunchy texture.

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For the main dish, make sure to order their signature Bulalo Ramen—the delicious marriage of Japanese and Filipino comfort food. Firm ramen noodles and a soft-boiled egg are served within the warm and flavorful bulalo broth with tender beef chunks and sweet corn. The hearty meal is served over a candle warmer to make sure the dish remains warm despite the Tagaytay weather.

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The Mango Sherbet is a delightfully light and simple palate cleanser to end the meal.

“Aside from our great food, we also take pride in our friendly staff,” sous chef Homer Aseneto shares with Expat. “We try our best to give all guests an authentic Japanese food experience and our service also reflects that.”

Aozora Japanese Bistro and Cafe | Open Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Domicillo Hotel, Km. 58, Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City | +63 936 980 9656