MANILA, Philippines – Ichiba Japanese Market bustles with the energy of Japan’s renowned food markets – only, it’s in Manila.

Ichiba seeks to recreate what it feels like to be at the likes of Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market or Osaka’s Kuromon Ichiba. Its flavors are inspired by the tasty fresh seafood distinct to the markets of Kyushu in the south and Hokkaido in the north.

Found at Newport Mall in Resorts World Manila, Ichiba is strategically located right across the airport – which means ingredients can be air-flown, so whatever’s in front of you is guaranteed fresh. Take for example this Bluefin tuna culled from the seas off Nagasaki that costs a whopping P150,000:

We found our Japanese favorites at Ichiba, but what truly sets it apart is their freshness – from the market, straight to your tables. Here are what we tasted:

Market Menu

Ichiba also has a live seafood market where sea bass (P1,300/kg), alimasag (blue swimmer crab, P650), tiger lobsters (P5,000), swahe (shrimp, P680), and more are waiting to be caught for sumptuous dishes.

These can be prepared in a variety of ways – fish done sashimi style (P115/500g, P200/1kg) or grilled with lemon butter (P135/500g, P235/1kg); shrimp fried as tempura (P170/500g, P315/1kg) or thermidor (P170/500g, P270/1kg).

They also have a so-called Fishing & Eating Adventure where you can reel in your own meal, and you have only 30 minutes to do it. The fishing is free, but of course, you have to pay for what you catch and the cooking, too.

The live aquarium section of @ichibaph #ichibaph pic.twitter.com/Rt08pJpAOR

— Paolo Abad (@PaoloJAbad) March 4, 2016

Yakiudon (P320)

Try to resist the urge of slurping these savory udon noodles with stir-fry meats and vegetables thrown into the mix. There’s even a sprinkling of bonito flakes to lend more umami flavor to it.

Ebi tempura (P385)

Ichiba’s tempura can be made fresh from the prawns they keep at their live aquariums, so the fritters are succulent and sweet on the inside.

Takoyaki (P105)

Watch the cooks make the takoyaki fresh from the griddle, and enjoy the tasty and chewy octopus inside, plus the crunchy and savory crust. These little spheres explode with umami flavors.

Takoyaki, anyone? @ichibaph #ichibaph pic.twitter.com/WGe5Cgsv0Z

— Paolo Abad (@PaoloJAbad) March 4, 2016

Chicken karaage (P245)

A bona fide favorite, these crunchy deep-fried chicken bites are great on its own, but better when they’re paired with ramen (Half paitan/chicken broth ramen with 3 pieces, P335).

Yakitori (P40-P135)

Fresh from the grill, Ichiba’s yakitori skewers are of course, smoky and flavorful as expected. The price points range from P40 for tori kawa (grilled chicken skin) to P135 for gyu kushi (grilled beef cubes).

Ichiba also offers a yakitori platter (P650) with 12 skewers of different chicken parts (gizzard, thigh, liver, etc.), which is great for sharing.

Wash down with with a cold, crisp glass of beer from the first-ever Asahi Bar in the Philippines, located at the far end of Ichiba Japanese market.

Will you be trying the food at Ichiba soon? Let us know about your own experience in the comments. – Rappler.com

Ichiba Japanese Market is located at 2/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. Facebook | Twitter | Instagram