THERE’S something about soup that make you crave for it every time the weather is rainy. Thus, we were craving for Japanese ramen since those torrents of rain came drowning the city.
Except that… we couldn’t get our schedules together.
That was until the other week, when finally, the group got together to try this new Japanese restaurant along Ecoland West Drive (that street in between SMS City and Dona Luisa), named Matsuri Ichiban was once was named Casa Maria, and was exclusively a function venue. Now it has become a Japanese restaurant that will soon have a Wagyu (drool now) steak house and an inn.
Albeit new, it already has a good following as there were many customers when we arrived. Families most of them.
At one corner is an old Japanese man making sushis. Is he the same man who used to make sushis in that Japanese restaurant along Jacinto Extension, he looks like that man, but we can’t be sure.
We zeroed in on the ramen, the salmon sashimi, the katsu, the California maki and the vegetable tempura because Miggy is pesca vegetarian, and our test for good Japanese food – the gyoza.
Verdict: Food is good.
I particularly like the fresh salmon. It didn’t have those fat lines of farmed salmon. Not that we’re saying farmed salmon is bad, as there is now a more responsible salmon culture going on in the world, but, wild salmon of course will be a plus.
The gyoza has enough stuffing, and the katsu is generous in size and the California maki. Add to that: service is fast and efficient.
It’s really worth a try.
Just drive on off to Ecoland West Drive, it has a huge signage, you won’t miss it.