Affordable Authentic Japanese ‘Comfort Foods’ in Cebu

When one thinks of eating authentic Japanese food, even for the light ones known as ‘comfort foods’, for lunch or for dinner, or in between, cost is usually one of those considered. This is attributed to the ingredients and cooking style this cuisine comes with, not to mention the culture stated behind the dishes.

How about if there’s a place where you get the same authenticity of this world-renowned Asian cuisine, but slash the cost of its usual price? Okonomiyaki Sacchan is a restaurant in Cebu that offers Japanese comfort foods at reasonable prices with the same perfect Japanese tastes! Surprisingly though, you’ll find a Filipino of electronics background by profession, manning the restaurant’s kitchen, whipping up famous Osaka-based comfort foods like Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Beef Terriyaki, Gyoza, Tonkotsu Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, Yakisoba and Modanyaki among others.

Dozo  Sacchan at Crossroads, Banilad. (Image credit: Okonomiyaki Sacchan’s Facebook page)	Okomiyaki Sacchan in Piazza Elesia, corner Talamban and Cabancalan (adjacent to Rose Pharmacy) roads. (Image credit: Okomiyaki Sacchan’s Facebook page)

Raul De Guzman hails from Pampanga and credits his culinary affinity to his native roots, having two siblings who are professional chefs. He spent 14 years in Japan working as an overseas Filipino worker and got assigned in Dubai afterwards still under a Japanese firm. Fluent with the Nihonggo language and adept with the Japanese culture, Raul has been well-acquainted working with a Japanese food consultant for their restaurant here. Hino Noriko has been with Okonomiyaki Sacchan for two years already. Raul, together with his partners in the business, have taken their restaurant brand to one with great potentials for its future. One salient distinction Okonomiyaki Sacchan has from other competitors is that they make their own noodles for their Ramen dishes and braises their pork ingredients, which makes the meat so tender and juicy (its taste stays on your mouth after eating).

Menu at Okonomiyaki Sacchan–call them now for your take-out orders or visit their nearest branch to delight in their offerings! (Image credit: Okonomiyaki Sacchan’s Facebook page)

Okonomiyaki Sacchan has two branches now, one in Piazza Elesia in corner Cabancalan and Talamban roads (adjacent to Rose Pharmacy), and another one in Crossroads, Banilad. The former is the restaurant’s first branch, which opened in March 2012, while the former used to be Dozo Izakaya and opened in July last year. Okonomiyaki Sacchan Cabancalan branch has gained followers among the locals and tourists alike for its outdoor, kiosk type setting–one that’s reminiscent of comfort food restaurants in Japan! Most foreigners who dine at the restaurant are Japanese, Koreans and westerners who are either living in Cebu or are here for English study.

For take-out orders, visit their shops and like their Facebook page: Okonomiyaki Sacchan

Photo above: Authentic Japanese pizza Okonomiyaki, healthy for its vegetarian stuffings like cabbage with its abundance of dietary fiber; it has the ability to “remove” excessive fat, salt and cholesterol from the food you take in.(Image credit: Okonomiyaki Sacchan’s Facebook page)