Japanese food has always had a special place in Filipino diners’ hearts. Many consider tempura, sushi, sashimi, and tonkatsu as their favorite, but for pure beefy enjoyment, nothing beats the Japanese beef bowl known as gyudon.
This unassuming dish became the pillar of Yoshinoya’s success in Japan, allowing it to expand into other countries, including the Philippines. Jollibee Group recently bagged the franchise rights for the brand in the country, and with the reopening of Yoshinoya, Jollibee Group hopes to bring the humble gyudon to the forefront of the dining public.
“Japanese food lovers in the metro are in for a treat. We will give our customers the authentic Yoshinoya experience, as if they were dining in Yoshinoya Japan. This forms part of our commitment to offer Filipinos with great tasting food and make Yoshinoya the No. 1 Japanese quick service restaurant in the country,” said Ned Bandojo, Business Development Head of Jollibee Group Foreign Franchised Brands.
Yoshinoya’s beef bowl features thin strips of tender beef, slowly simmered in the brand’s signature gyudon sauce. The gyudon bowl can be enjoyed in many ways, including adding togarashi, red ginger, green onions, and even cheese toppings. Yoshinoya Philippines also offers “onsen” egg or the traditional Japanese slow-cooked egg with custardy egg white and egg yolk, as an optional topping that makes the beef bowl comfortingly creamy.
Rounding Yoshinoya’s entrée choices are other Japanese favorites such as tempura, chicken karaage, chicken teriyaki, and beef yakiniku. Seasoned shrimps are coated with a light tempura batter before being deep-fried for a crispy treat that can be enjoyed either as an appetizer or as a meal on its own. Meanwhile, chicken karaage is the Japanese version of fried chicken. Yoshinoya’s take features large pieces of boneless chicken thigh which are marinated and breaded before being deep-fried until crisp and golden brown.
Yoshinoya also offers ramen and other side dishes such as gyoza, kani salad, miso soup, among others. For dessert, customers can enjoy the brand’s Matcha Mochi Ice Cream and Coffee Jelly.
The opening of the new Yoshinoya store officially seals the Jollibee Group’s first foray into Japanese food. The Jollibee Group recently formed a joint venture with Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc. to establish the Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods, Inc, which will operate the Yoshinoya stores in the country, with plans to expand to 50 stores in the long term.
