MR. ROBOTO is a Retro Japanese Robot-themed restaurant by Dani Ramos and David Mendoza, 2nd generation restaurateurs from the famed Neil’s Kitchen in Alabang. They are millennials who grew up with their parent’s 80’s music and loving the Japanese Robot genre heroes like Voltes V, Mazinger Z, Daimos, and Voltron.
The name of the restaurant is inspired by the song Mr. Roboto by Styx, with the famous lines “Domo Arigato” and “Secret Secret”.
Their Japanese food is a lot better than Omakase’s and is serious competition for Ooma’s but with a millennial twist.
Here’s what to expect at this promising Modern Japanese comfort food destination in Alabang…
MR. ROBOTO
Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center (Sykes Bldg), Madrigal Avenue, Alabang
Email: mr.robotoph@gmail.com
Mobile: +63 919 955-3035
Facebook: Mr. Roboto Modern Japanese
Instagram: @Mr.RobotoPH
Operating Hours: 11 am to 10 pm
Mr. Roboto is located at the back of the Sykes Building in Alabang Town Center, near Silantro and beside Señor Pollo.
Mr. Roboto Menu: Appetizers, Gendai Sashimi, Chirashi, Donburi, Katsu, Meshi | Gendai Sushi, Dessert, Drinks
The highlight of the ambiance is the wall of retro posters of Japanese Robots with the heads of Gundam, Daitarn, Daimos, Voltron, Voltes V, and Optimus Prime.
To be able to relate to the concept, you have to watch and sing to this 80’s MTV of Mr. Roboto:
“Mr. Roboto” by Styx
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto [どうもありがとうミスターロボット],
Mata au hi made [また会う日まで]
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto [どうもありがとうミスターロボット],
Himitsu wo shiri tai [秘密を知りたい]
You’re wondering who I am (secret secret I’ve got a secret)
Machine or mannequin (secret secret I’ve got a secret)
With parts made in Japan (secret secret I’ve got a secret)
I am the modern man
…
(Trivia: The Mr. Roboto song is played every hour in the resto)
Appetizers
Nori Nachos (P350). Nori Chips • Crispy Kani • Pickled Tuna • Spicy Salmon • Cream Cheese & Wasabi Mayo
A healthy version of nachos using crispy seaweeds with kani fries and bits of tuna and salmon.
Order the Nori Nachos on your arrival while you decide on the rest of the menu.
Gendai Sashimi
Salmon (P370). Salmon Slices • Spicy Salmon • Negi Salmon
Their Gendai Sashimi options are served three ways–like this Salmon served as raw slices, spicy, or with mayo and onions.
The serving sizes are big enough to share. The other versions are tuna, ebi, or ika.
Chirashi
Mr. Roboto Chirashi (P695). Assorted Special Sashimi • Aburi Egg Yolk • Furikake Rice
It’s like a poke bowl but Japanese chirashi-style, with assorted raw seafood on top of rice flavored with furikake. Don’t forget to mix the egg yolk at the center with the rice.
Gendai Sushi
Secret Secret (P395). Diced Unagi • Pickled Radish • Caviar
Slices of unagi with caviar and pickled radish to balance out the taste. Yum! 🙂
Ika Nigiri (P220). Secret Secret Sushi Rice • Pickled Aburi Squid • Sesame Mayo & Teriyaki Sauce
Unagi Nigiri (P495). Secret Secret Sushi Rice • Unagi Slices • Fresh Uni • Secret Secret Unagi Sauce
They specialize in Nigiri, which is rice topped with seafood.
Order these if you like squid ink rice or want to have more unagi slices than the secret secret sushi.
Shake Nigiri (P245). Secret Sushi Rice • Negi Salmon • Soy Truffle • Secret Secret Beets Sauce
Our favorite and one of the signature sushi of Mr. Roboto is the beetroot rice with tobiko and soy truffle topped with salmon!
Katsu
Lamb Katsu (P525). Australian Ground Lamb • Grilled Vegetables • Roboto Curry or Roboto Gravy
We also love the unique Lamb Katsu, which is like a hamburg steak made with ground Australian lamb and presented like katsu and served with grilled vegetables.
I love both the curry sauce and the gravy because of the homemade umami taste. I recommend mixing these with their cheese sauce…Oishi!
Sojukult (P295). Yakult • Jinru Soju
Order their signature drink of yakult mixed with soju for that probiotic zing.
Donburi
Chashu (P450). Cut Pork Belly • Vegetable Tempura • Crispy Skin • Roboto Donburi Sauce
I love the big cut of pork belly with their own donburi sauce.
It’s good for sharing. Hopefully we can order just the belly on its own in the future, without the withered fried vegetables.
Chahan (P165). Beef Sukiyaki • Soy Truffle • Shiitake Mushroom
We like their chahan paired with the chashu or lamb curry instead of the rice they use in their donburi or katsu.
Desserts
Banana Cream Pie. Graham Cracker Polvoron • Butterscotch Cream • Aburi Bananas • Vanilla Ice Cream
Don’t leave without trying Dani Ramos’ specialty desserts like the Banana Cream Pie a la Mode!
Final Thoughts
Overall, we love the Millennial Retro Japanese Robot theme of Mr. Roboto!
We liked their nostalgic take on Voltes V, Mazinger Z, and the rest of the Japanese robots we watched during our childhood days–from the walls down to the signature serving trays. It would be really cool to see displays of the actual robots.
Order the Nori Nachos as appetizer, Gendai Salmon Sashimi and Shake Nigiri for your Sushi/Sashimi course, and finally the Chashu with the Chahan or Lamb Curry for your main dish. End on a sweet note with the Banana Cream Pie.
Budget about P700/head. Best to go with a big group because their serving sizes are good for 3-5 people.
They currently put more emphasis on rice dishes. I would love to see more a la carte options for different meats in the future. The flavors are a bit subtle and more balanced, but we think they should be bolder and in-your-face, which is more in tune with the 80’s theme and the Neil’s Kitchen heritage.
Hope to see more dessert creations from Dani in their secret secret menu!
Congratulations to the Ramos and Mendoza families for another restaurant hit in Alabang!
MR. ROBOTO
Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center (Sykes Bldg), Madrigal Avenue, Alabang
Email: mr.robotoph@gmail.com
Mobile: +63 919 955-3035
Facebook: Mr. Roboto Modern Japanese
Instagram: @Mr.RobotoPH
Operating Hours: 11 am to 10 pm
hashtag: #secretsecret #domoarigato
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of Mr. Roboto. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Mr. Roboto is on soft opening from Monday, June 26 to Sunday, July 2 for lunch (11am – 2pm) and dinner (5pm – 8pm). Strictly by RESERVATION ONLY!
Slots are limited so please call 0919-955-3035 to reserve and get 20% off your bill!
its gordian not optimus prime.