AT THE age of five, Diane Uyking fondly remembers eating with her family regularly at their favorite Ramen Tei, a cozy Japanese restaurant along the old Davao Airport.

“Those were joyful times because our family just loves Japanese food,” reminisces Diane.

Ramen Tei eventually closed its doors and was reborn as Tadakuma Japanese Restaurant.

“It was much later that I realized that Tadakuma had the same roots as my beloved childhood resto. I was ecstatic!” she enthuses.

So, when Diane was deciding on a business to franchise, Tadakuma Japanese Restaurant was expectedly her number one choice.

“For me, Tadakuma is incomparable and authentic. It serves traditional Japanese dishes with high-quality ingredients at reasonable prices. There are no substitute ingredients and fusion here,” she declares.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Diane discloses that she was considered a jack of all trades. “I have been a bank teller, law firm assistant secretary, inventory assistant at an oil company, and an assistant teacher in Montessori,” the Japanese music and art aficionado recites.

“These past working experiences became useful and have molded me into who I am today and for who I will be tomorrow,” the Ateneo de Davao marketing graduate confides.

Blessed with a great team, Diane and her staff strongly commit to uphold the excellent standards of Tadakuma. “We want our dishes to be eye-catching and delicious. Making our customers happy and satisfied with Japanese food is our main goal,” she said.

Among Tadakuma’s best-selling dishes are its Seafood Ramen, Sukiyaki, Gyudon, California Maki, Salmon Sashimi, Atsuyaki Tofu, and Gyoza.

Tadakuma prides itself in using the freshest ingredients. Dishes are only prepared once you order them; from the slicing of the meat and vegetables, and cooking of the noodles. Their ramen is likened to Tokyo’s ramen which has a bolder and stronger taste. The broth is boiled on low fire the whole day and vegetables remain crisp because it is cooked with high pressure. Customers are advised to eat their ramen within five minutes after it is served so the noodles will not become soggy.

To the young entrepreneurs who have dreams of opening their own business, Diane shares a quotation from Christian author C.S. Lewis: “If you never take risks, you’ll never accomplish great things.”

Diane believes that life is all about taking risks. “When we talk about business, there will always be risks that we should take. And, in every risk, there are ups and downs; success, and even failure. I would rather take the risk than settle for the easy way out,” she said.

From a young five-year-old loyal Ramen Tei customer to a 27-year-old Tadakuma franchisee, Diane’s happy taste of childhood is now something she can savor every day.

Special thanks to Davao Food Guide for the food photos.

Tadakuma’s new branch is located at RPlace Building, Palma Gil Street (next to Nidea Street), Bo. Obrero, Davao City. For reservations, you may contact 09171137888 or 09338502139. Tadakuma’s Obrero branch is open on Mondays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.