Jan Domingo and his wife were walking along Osaka in Japan when they came across a curious food combination that they thought would appeal to fellow Filipinos back home.
They tried the Takoyaki and Yakisoba and the light bulbs just lit up as their tummies get their fill. The unique complementary combination of the two just works and they just knew they have found their next food concept for their new store.
Jan partnered up with JC Cabalatungan in bringing the hearty combination of Takoyaki and Yakisoba to the Philippines through their company Tastexperts, Inc. Adding up to the authentic flavors from Japan is the catchy word play on their names and so, Yaki Yaki was born. Bringing in a taste of Japan with the Filipino branding, Yaki Yaki offers Takoyaki for 49 pesos for 4 pieces, yakisoba for 99 pesos, and a bento box at 155 pesos.
JC and Jan opened Yaki Yaki in the middle of the pandemic in May 2021 in Calsada Tipaz, Taguig. Not everyone can go to Japan especially at that time, but maybe they can bring Japan to everyone here. The two knew they had to build on a solid product, and worked hard in conceptualizing and coming up with the kind of food Pinoys will love.
Yaki-Yaki’s Takoyaki is as authentic as it can get, made of octopus and not squid. Their Classic Takoyaki and Scallop Cheese Melt are their best-sellers. Yaki Yaki also offers other products such as bento boxes that also come with pork tonkatsu and chicken katsu. Born during the pandemic, and so they naturally are available for online delivery.
Yaki Yaki currently has 21 branches all over the Metro, and they have strategically opened in SM Malls and supermarkets. Yaki Yaki is open for franchise, and should they hit 30 stores, they are planning to get an endorser to further promote Yaki Yaki and more people can come to know and love about it.
JC and Jan’s advice to budding entrepreneurs out there is that there are more opportunities during the pandemic. They even like calling it “The Great Equalizer JC and Jan did not even have previous formal culinary training, but were food service distributors before Yaki Yaki.
They believe you need to have the 3 P’s on your side — product, people, purpose — these are what they believe matter the most.
Yaki Yaki is celebrating its anniversary soon, and to thank their customers, Yaki Yaki is holding an Anniversary Promo until May 31, 2022. Under the promotion, customers who buy a 4-piece Takoyaki can get the next one for only one peso. Visit your nearest Yaki Yaki store and dig in.
