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KAZUNORI is a 3-in-1 Japanese Restaurant concept — Kazu Cafe, Sushi Bar and Fine Japanese Restaurant specializing in seafood sushi and sashimi. It is located inside the Mazda showroom, along the slowly gentrifying area of Pasong Tamo Extension.
The restaurant is named after the chef himself and was conceptualized by Ryan Cruz and Elbert Cuenca of Yushoken and Mendokoro Ramen fame.
We previously visited Kazu Cafe with our friend Lui from Australia, when it just opened to a lot of hype. We recently tried it again with our boys and here’s what we think about it…
KAZUNORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
2301 Chino Roces Avenue (Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati
Telephone: +632 989 3152
Operating Hours:
Kazu Cafe: Open daily 11.00am to 11.00pm
Japanese Restaurant: Monday-Sunday 11:00am-2:30pm and 6:30pm to 11:00pm
Facebook: @kazunorijapanese
Kazunori Menu: Sushi and Sashimi and Sushi | Zensai, Kushiyaki, Agemono, Menrui | Kazu Cafe Menu
The casual Kazu Cafe is located up front and immediately visible from the Mazda dealership facade.
It’s unusual to be eating inside a car dealership, but I guess you can quickly explore the showroom if something catches your fancy.
Go for the sushi bar omakase if you like sushi and sashimi prepared in front of you by the chef.
The restaurant is supposed to be the fine dining type, but currently, the menu in the cafe and the restaurant is the same.
Drinks Menu: Wine, Shochu, Sake | Whisky, Spirits, Beer
Start with a Sapporo Draft (₱200), a Japanese whisky, or even sake to unwind and relax.
The Miso Soup has a darker and more intense flavor than what we’re used to. The Chawan Mushi is silky smooth with a smoky flavor.
Kaisen Chirashi (₱1,200) served with miso soup.
I agree with our friend Ray Reyes of Lynne Enroute that this is a value-for-money dish for the quality and generous servings of sashimi you get.
It’s a good sashimi sampler. It even has a slice of melt-in-your mouth otoro that people have been raving about.
Uni Cream Spaghettini (₱470) served with chawan mushi.
Order this creamy uni pasta if you’re looking for something comforting to enjoy.
They often recommend the Kakiage, which is their big version of vegetable tempura.
Kakiage (₱420)
Best to use your hands to break pieces off the big crunchy ball, which you can enjoy throughout your meal.
Tempura Sushi Roll (8 pcs, ₱340)
They also have the typical sushi rolls, but it’s better to stick to the sashimi.
Oyakodon (₱390) served with miso soup, chawan mushi, and tsukemono.
I recommend this chicken rice bowl with egg if you’re looking for something filling and satisfying to share with the family.
Beef Curry (₱480) served with Chawan Mushi.
The curry rice dishes are decent and good options if you’re craving for a Japanese curry.
Karai Niku Soba (₱460)
This is our favorite! The sauce is spicy with yakiniku beef strips, which you use as a dipping sauce for the soba noodles. We usually finish the soba noodles early so we could put our extra rice in the leftover sauce. This is served with fresh wasabi and more chili for those who want to spice it up some more.
Surprisingly, even the kids loved the raw sashimi and the soba noodles. But they do have special plates and utensils for kids in Kazu Cafe.
The hype behind Kazunori is real, as evidenced by the packed crowds they still get every weekend. You can really taste the high quality of their seafood, which is air-flown from Japan.
I recommend the Kaisen Chirashi, Otoro Sashimi, and the Karai Niku Soba. The other dishes are decent, and it’s good that they have some variety for those times you’re craving for your favorite Japanese comfort food. Budget about P1,000/head.
You can order their off-menu Saito Special with Uni, Otoro, Ikura, and Chutoro (P5,000) if you want to impress, celebrate, or simply indulge.
Make sure to reserve if you’re eating at the restaurant with a big group during the peak weekend dinner hours. But you can usually just go in casual attire and eat at Kazu Cafe without reservations.
Congrats to Ryan Cruz and Elbert Cuenca for another winning Japanese concept!
KAZUNORI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
2301 Chino Roces Avenue (Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati
Telephone: +632 989 3152
Operating Hours:
Kazu Cafe: Open daily 11.00am to 11.00pm
Japanese Restaurant: Monday-Sunday 11:00am-2:30pm and 6:30pm to 11:00pm
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We paid for our meal. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. I wonder how many people, after eating here, would even consider buying a Mazda?