Japanese resto bares plan to open express counter

CEBU, Philippines - In its effort to pioneer the offering of affordable Japanese food to Filipino diners, one-year-old Japanese restaurant Yu Yu Tei plans to open up an express counter concept in Cebu and other parts of the country.

Yu Yu Tei Japanese restaurant owner Bernadete Kawakami said that after noting a growing market for Japanese food diners, not only foreign tourists but also Filipinos, it is high time to offer an express counter in high consumer traffic areas like shopping malls.

While the well-known healthy preparation of Japanese cuisine has gained interest and has successfully won over the Filipino palate, Kawakami said she and her Japanese husband are seriously considering investing in the opening of Yu Yu Tei Express in the shopping malls in Cebu in the next few months.

Part of the restaurant’s medium-term plan is also to open outlets in Davao and Metro Manila, through a partnership of semi-franchise deals.

Kawakami said Yu Yu Tei was initially opened to cater to Japanese friends who were looking for a restaurant that offers authentic Japanese food.

“But now, it’s not only the Japanese who appreciate their own cuisine but also a huge number of Filipinos perhaps because Japanese food is known to be healthy,” Kawakami said in an interview.

In order to gain higher patronage from the local market, and as an anniversary treat to Yu Yu Tei’s loyal diners, the Kawakami couple decided to offer the “afford-able meal” packages at their restaurant located at The Gallery on Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City.

“I admit that it was quite a difficult year with the crisis affecting almost all sectors of business including food industry. However, instead of sulking, we thought of ways to combat crisis. And one of these is our Japanese afford-able meals,” Kawakami said.

Unlike in the past, when there was an impression that dining in a Japanese restaurant is seen to be expensive and fancy, this time, Kawakami said Yu Yu Tei will pioneer the offering of “pocket-friendly” authentic Japanese food to Filipino diners across market segment.

In fact, the Japanese restaurant brand has recently launched its version of “combo meal” packages, to further push diners’ appetite for Japanese food, without hurting their pockets.

Aside from attracting the budget conscious diners to enjoy Japanese food, Yu Yu Tei is also trying to penetrate the corporate market, by offering special packages for exclusive meetings, and special functions.  

Set meals at Yu Yu Tei ranges from P250 to P350; with favorites like sushi, ramen and maki priced around P200 and up.— Ehda M. Dagooc