Octoboy: Japanese Sizzling Pizza in Tomas Morato

It's no secret that when it comes to Japanese food, whether traditional, modern or Western-Japanese, I'm probably one of the biggest fans. So after an impromptu evening snack at Little Tokyo the other week, we found ourselves in another Japanese food spot. This time, at Octoboy Japanese Sizzling Pizza in the heart of the busy Tomas Morato.
Octoboy Japanese Sizzling Pizza

Owned by Mr. Giovanni Cheng, Octoboy Japanese Sizzling Pizza is a revolutionary Japanese dining spot serving Osaka's famous savory pancake, as well as other modern Japanese delicacies that even we, Filipinos can't resist. By day, the restaurant is a well-lit dining space with wooden accents and a vibe of Japanese downtown eateries. On Friday and Saturday nights, Octoboy is transformed into a pub with live band performances.

Octoboy Dining Space

Our group visited Octoboy Japanese Sizzling Pizza by day, and we weren't able to catch how the place looks like at night. But if you trust my imagination, then I'd say it probably looks the same but with dimmer lighting, loud live band music and sets of cheerful yuppy guests who have a glass or a bottle of beer at hand.

The Starters

Even if Octoboy capitalizes on its savory Japanese sizzling pizzas, it still offers a wide variety of food items on its menu, including a list of enticing Japanese meal starters.

Edamame P100

As we wait for other dishes, we were given a serving of Edamame (P100). These beans are immature soybeans still in their pods and boiled before served. Eaten by taking out the beans from the pods, this plate of healthy nutty treat is a delight to munch on.

Kani Salad P165

We also had a bowl of Kani Salad (P165), an ensemble of fresh greens, cucumber slices, sweet mangoes, kani strips, wakame and tobiko (flying fish roe). Instead of just using Japanese mayo as dressing, this bowl of goodness is also drizzled with vinaigrette, making the overall taste more tangy and less tiring on the taste buds.

The Chef's Best Choice

After an appetite whetting start, we didn't go straight for Octoboy Japanese Sizzling Pizza's specialty dishes, but sampled first 2 of the chef's special items on the menu.

Grilled Saba Mackerel with Ponzu Sauce P280

The Grilled Mackerel with Ponzu Sauce (P280) is a nice, lean and smoky surprise for someone like me who's not much into grilled fish. The inside was cooked into a juicy tenderness with a salty-smoky flavor, while the skin has beautiful grill marks. I swear, even as a cooked fish hater, I can eat this whole plate with a bowl of steamed white rice.

Crispy Gyoza P95

We also had a serving of the Crispy Gyoza (P95), a deep-fried take on the famous Japanese bundles of meaty goodness. And although I prefer the steamed with pan-fried bottom dumplings, I can't deny I loved how crunchy and flavorful these fried ones are.

The Octoboy Specialties

At this point, everything we've tried from Octoboy's was great. However, I can definitely say that their specialties are, of course their okonomiyaki, takoyaki and yakiudon dishes.

Chicken Okonomiyaki P300

Octoboy offers 7 tasty kinds of okonomiyaki to choose from. But for this trip, we got to try the Chicken Okonomiyaki (P300) -- a savory pancake of chicken teriyaki slices, mozzarella cheese, crispy tofu skin and green onions with peanut mayo and chili sauce. Although this hearty serving is very tasty, I was quite surprised with the unusual blend of flavors which can be a make or break scenario. While I always try to keep an open mind, or rather an open palate, I think I still need some time to get used to peanut mayo.

Octopus Takoyaki P120

We also got to try the Octopus Takoyaki (P120) among the Octopus, Bacon & Cheese, Shrimp, and Salmon choices. And although there are tons of takoyaki stalls in malls, nothing beats the authentic balls made up of batter, veggies and octopus slices, topped with wakame bits and bonito flakes, and drizzled with savory okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayo. Being a takoyaki lover, this serving really made me one happy foodie. Every bite is an explosion of savory flavors which will surely make you crave for more.

Yakiudon Shrimp P395

Another best-seller we got to try was the Shrimp Yakiudon (P395), a plate of stir-fried Japanese noodles and veggies cooked in a savory and tangy special sauce and topped with wakame, curry mayo and five pieces of crispy breaded shrimp tempura. And although I'm honestly not a fried noodle kind of gal, I really liked the blend of flavors of Octoboy's yakiudon -- savory, salty, tangy, a little sweet, with a hint of heat.

Pink Wasabi's Kashi Maki

We thought we'd be skipping the drinks and desserts as the dishes we got to try already left us full and completely satisfied. However, we knew we just can't say no when we saw that they serve My Pink Wasabi's famous Kashi Makis (P165).

Kashi Maki by Pink Wasabi

I first encountered these sweet treats when I went to Mercato Centrale for the first time. And just like how I fell in love with these bundles of sweet dreams, I found myself craving again for more. The Midnight Mint, Oolong Berry, Choco Locco and White Matcha flavors were as delightful as I remember them to be. Too bad though my favorite Marula treat was absent in the bunch. (Check my post on My Pink Wasabi's Kashi Maki!)

THE VERDICT

I initially thought that the only place I could grab an okonomiyaki and takoyaki of great quality was in Little Tokyo. However, after this trip to Octoboy, I was proven wrong. Even without venturing to Makati, northies like me can enjoy great tasting Japanese eats with good service and for reasonable prices by just paying a trip to Octoboy in Tomas Morato.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 3.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Octoboy Japanese Sizzling Pizza, Tomas Morato
Unit 2-C, 2/F 186 Tomas Morato Ave. cor.
Sct De Guia St., Quezon City
(02) 384-8506
Official Website
Facebook Page

36 comments:

  1. Oh my, they all look so flavorful!! The Kani salad looks more enticing! *drools*

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  2. Your photos are fantastic! I love each one of them! Honestly, I want to try the Edamame Beans, haha! And also the Kani Salad, that's my staple whenever I go to Jap restos. And their prices are reasonable. Again, another place to add to my list of must-try places. =)

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    1. Thanks for the compliment sis! It was actually my first time to try Edamame and it was addicting! haha.. Try it when you get the chance.. ^^

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  3. Sizzling pizza looks interesting. But I'm gonna visit them for the Takoyaki. We used to eat at Grilled Tomato, which is just below Octoboy. When GT closed down, we weren't able to visit the area anymore.

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    1. Aww.. Too bad I wasn't able to try Grilled Tomato. Anyway, try Octoboy when you visit the area soon.. :)

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  4. i really love Japanese foods, and you make me want more. I will definitely visit Octoboy soon.. I want Takoyaki :D

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  5. i loove octoboy esp the octopus pizza (?) :) but ill go back for the shrimp yakiudon :)

    Rovie, The Bargain Doll

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  6. that shrimp yakiudon looks so tempting! :)

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  7. Just looking at the pictures makes my mouth water. I'm suddenly hungry. :)

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  8. the beans looks raw I guess I cannot eat like that

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    1. The beans aren't raw. They're boiled, and to eat them you have to peel them off from the pods.. :)

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  9. whoah! I always set foot at Tomas Morato but never seen this resto. Imma check it out since I only work at Q.Ave :p

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  10. Hello Sumi

    The grilled mackerel looks really sumptuous!I didn't know that I can order one in Octoboy. I thought that it only serves takoyaki and okonomiyaki. This is soooo near my place, I will visit it soon!

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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    1. Check their menu out when you visit Octoboy.. :) They have sushi, sashimi, donburis and other food items as well. I think the grilled mackerel is quite new on their menu though.. ^^

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  11. I love the Takoyaki and I am craving for it now. :)

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  12. The dishes really look great, Sumi! Thanks for giving me another great place to try if I ever happen to get lost in the North area.

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  13. yum! i am enjoying your japanese resto series, Sumi! :-)

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  14. Octoboy has a good variety of food but I'd like to try a sizzling pizza for a change.

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    1. The okonomiyaki they serve in Octoboy is actually the sizzling pizza.. ^^

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  15. Chicken Okonomiyaki -- a savory pancake of chicken teriyaki slices, mozzarella cheese, crispy tofu skin and green onions with peanut mayo and chili sauce.
    --> this intrigues me. A pancake with combination of chicken slices. wow! I wonder how its taste and the photo/s are really great. Sumi, how could you bring life to your photos? =)

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    1. The okonomiyaki tastes really savory with a little hint of sweetness and heat as well.. ^^ Try it when you visit Tomas Morato! Anyway, thanks for the compliment. Glad to know my continuous shooting practice is paying off.. XD

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  16. I am a very picky eater, but Japanese food is one of my favorite. And those pics are just so enticing. Another restaurant to try, thanks for the share!

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  17. I want the Shrimp Yakiudon now na please! haha it looks so appetizing. When I saw you post it on facebook, I instantly craved for Japanese food. Why don't you like cooked fish? ahahaha A lot of people don't like raw fish but you're the opposite. Hahaha :D

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  18. WOW! I want to try their Kani Salad and Takoyaki they look mouth watering.

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  19. Thanks for explaining the beans. They sell these beans like peanuts here in my nook, but due to the language barrier I have been unable to find out how are they eaten.

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  20. That edamame is a win, even though it's just within the ranks of the "starters". I miss nibbling on those beans; they are very nice too during winter. They go well with kirin beer :)

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  21. as per your rating and your good taste in foods, I will surely list octoboy in my resto blog hop list, looking forward to have a taste with their mouth watering dishes :)

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  22. Thanks for the review. It's now included on my wish-to-dine-in-once-we-come-home-for-vacation list :)

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  23. delicious foods, as usual. but, i'm interested with the kani salad...gives me idea what to do with the tobiko and crabsticks leftover :)

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  24. You had me at the Kani Salad and my mouth is watering all throughout the list. Oh my, how I wish my good friend adores Japanese food as much as I do... :-(

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  25. I love the grilled fish.. I can recall the grilled tuna we had at Cagayan de Oro. :)

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  26. Great review! Lovin' your photos as usual. Will take note of this place when I happen to be in that area.

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  27. Thank sa info Mam sumi, nakakagutom naman... di pa aqu naka kain sa mga ganyan...

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  28. I definitely dig all the meals in your entry! Nice presentation makes it look more sumptuous! :)

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  29. WOW! i love Japanese food. i must try this resto..

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