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Something Japanese in Cebu City, Philippines - TEMPURA

Ebi Tempura or Shrimp Tempura is another Japanese dish that I love, aside from salmon sashimi, salmon sushi, miso soup and gyoza.  And to a foodie, like me, it is but a great delight to have a restaurant in Cebu City Philippines that brags to be the best tempura in Manila (capital of the Philippines located outside Cebu).  This restaurant is worth visiting indeed.


The name of the restaurant is nothing special as it simply is called TEMPURA.  But its being sounding so simpleton makes its appealing as it does not need further elaboration on what it offers.  The name TEMPURA is so straightforward that allows no room for questioning and imagination.


Fast Fact: Tempura  is a Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. - wikipedia


The restaurant's complete name is TEMPURA JAPANESE GRILL and has several branches in Luzon and Visayas regions.  The restaurant is located at the upper ground floor and is seemingly accessible.  However, it was only last year, 2016 that I had first visited them despite having been existent at SM City mall maybe for several years, by the look of their dilapidated MENU cover, see topmost photo.

My love for Japanese food had encouraged me to dine in this restaurant despite of my negative impressions of the interior layout and lighting of the restaurant.  But my first dining experience was a blast since my favorite orders of salmon sushi, gyoza, tempura were all unbelievably delish.  So a second visit happened.  Followed with third and fourth, with a companion this time, my cousin.  Then the fifth one happened to be with more number of people, my family.


My mother is not a fan of Japanese cuisine but her preference for a restaurant is its accessibility.  Since we were too hungry that time and while walking to and from the Northwing of SM City, TEMPURA seemed to have many vacant seats.  So I was able to convince them that we have dinner there.  My craving for Japanese foods was granted.


We ordered for the HOKKAIDO GROUP MEAL as we were four people about be fed with Japanese foods.  It is always a bonus when restaurants offer set or group meals because the sets are expected to compose of the restaurant's bestsellers.  So this gives the customers a great opportunity to taste all of their bestseller dishes at a cost that does not hurt the pockets.  And this kinds of set also offers a complete / full meal from appetizers, soup, entree, to drinks.  SULIT! (worth it!).

The HOKKAIDO GROUP MEAL has eight EBI TEMPURAs, so each of us got two!  See photo above.

Disclaimer:  I am apologetic of this set of photos since all are a bit blurry, improperly lit (restaurant lights used the yellow bulb) and definitely not photogenic.


A plate of 5 pieces of GYOZA and gyoza sauce was served.


  1. This was how the TORI TEPPANYAKI looked like.  Surprisingly, it tasted sumptuous too!

    F.Y.I. via the wikipedia:
    1. Teppanyakis is a Japanese dish of meat, fish, or both, fried with vegetables on a hot steel plate forming the center of the dining table.


Four cups of GOHAN (Japenese word for rice) were served.  I love Japanese rice since they are naturally perfect for chopsticks.  Presentation is oh so kawaii because of the black seeds which accentuates the expectedly white rice.


Another reason why I love Japanese cuisine is because I am extremely engrossed with the thought and the act of dining with chopsticks!  That is also why I love Chinese foods, aside from the taste, but also Chinese uses chopsticks in their meals.


  1. This was how the platter  of GYUDON appeared after unsuccessfully attempting to mixed them altogether.

    F.Y.I via the wikipedia
    Gyūdon literally beef bowl, is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with dashi (fish and seaweed stock), soy sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine). It also often includes shirataki noodles, and is sometimes topped with a raw egg or a soft poached egg (onsen tamago).


My Ratings:
Restaurant Concept = 10 of 10 
( I love Japanese cuisine)
Menu Options = 10 of 10 
Food Serving Size = 9 of 10
Group Meal Concept = 10 of 10
Overall Food Taste = 9 of 10
 Lay-Out and Interior Designing = 7 of 10
Size of Restaurant = 7 of 10
Restaurant Lighting = 6 of 10 
(I dislike dinner time since most restaurants uses yellow bulbs and prefer dim lighting) 
Ambiance = 6 of 10 
(affected by my complaint on lighting)
Services of Staff = 8 of 10 
Money Value = 10 of 10 

OVERALL RATING = 83.64% Recommended
(Mainly because I love Japanese foods and their food taste is superb!)

Friendly Suggestion to the Restaurant: 
Kindly upgrade your menu since it appears too dilapidate and may be a turn-off for some customers.



This particular branch of TEMPURA Japanese Grill is located at Ground Floor 109-110 Northwing SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Mabolo Proper, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines.


Photos taken using Samsung S Duos cellphone.


Eat good food, everyday!

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