You may have heard of sushi bake, samgyup bake, nacho bake, and shawarma bake – but what about takoyaki bake?

Local food business The Kitchen MNL merges two Japanese-inspired delicacies in one unconventional offering – the taste of a classic takoyaki with the presentation and experience of a sushi bake.

It’s kind of like a deconstructed takoyaki, sans the batter. Just imagine a thick layer of “takoyaki rice” at the bottom – moist and flavorful, mixed in with a homemade, savory takoyaki sauce and teriyaki sauce, which adds a tinge of sweet soy flavor. The mixed fried rice also includes bits of fresh cabbage and octopus (like a true takoyaki), which provide a nice bite.

On top of the takoyaki rice is The Kitchen MNL’s ode to sushi bake – a special mixture of kani strips, mayo, and cheese, which seals everything together. It’s an umami bomb, with just the right amount of creaminess, thanks to its cheese topping, which melts after it’s reheated in the oven.

Everything is topped off with whole baby octopus, bonito flakes, and Japanese mayo. The octopus is perfectly cooked (tender and not at all chewy), and the overall flavor of everything being torched together adds a smoky, grilled flavor that’s addictive, and helps to relieve any umay.

Ready to dig in? Just grab a scoop of takoyaki rice and place it onto a sheet of nori – or just eat the rice on its own! It’s actually filling (and delicious) enough to enjoy as is for lunch or dinner.

The Kitchen MNL’s takoyaki bake costs P600 for a small pan and P1,000 for the medium, and is only available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

They’re based in Caloocan City. For orders, you can message their Instagram page. – Rappler.com