Gaga over gyudon at Yoshinoya

Gyuniko is the Japanese word for beef, and gyudon is a dish of thinly sliced beef strips simmered until tender in a blend of onions and special herbs and spices. Served on top of steaming, fluffy and newly-cooked rice, gyudon is both a hearty and delicious meal.

At Yoshinoya, one of the oldest and largest fast-food chains in the world, gyudon is a popular favorite among diners. Certainly, there are other favorites such as beef yakiniku that tastes like delicious thick bacon, tempura, salads, noodles, and desserts.

More recently, Yoshinoya introduced the Chicken Feast that consists of an all-chicken selection that will surely satisfy big appetites. The Super Chicken Teriyaki Bowl offers tender, golden brown slices of chicken topped with Yoshinoya’s special teriyaki sauce and sautéed bean sprouts over a bed of steaming white rice. The Yakitori bento of delicious chunks of succulent grilled chicken on bamboo skewers, marinated in a yakitori sauce and served with yaki udon is served with Japanese almond jelly. Chicken katsudon is a tasty meal of breaded chicken cutlets simmered in a deliciously sweet broth, topped with egg and scallions and served over a bed of steaming rice; and chicken karaage (bite-sized pieces of chicken wings, floured then deep fried, and served with vinegar dressing) will complement any of Yoshinoya’s Japanese bowls.

However, gyudon remains an all-time favorite among diners. Recognizing this, Yoshinoya has launched two exciting promos on the occasion of its fifth year anniversary in the Philippines.

The Gyudon Eating Contest challenges patrons to eat the most number of gyudon beef bowls in 20 minutes. Until Feb. 27, customers can register at any Yoshinoya outlet for a fee of P150 and compete either on the spot or in the weekly competitions (to be held every Saturday). Weekly winners per outlet will be identified and will qualify for the grand finals set on Feb. 28 at the SM Megamall Bldg. A Atrium. Prizes at stake are P50,000 for the first prize, 30,000 for the second prize, 10,000 for the third prize, and P500 worth of Yoshinoya gift certificates for the weekly winners. Participants of the Gyudon Eating Contest are automatically qualified for the Great Gyudon Challenge raffle.

Likewise, prizes also await customers with The Great Gyudon Challenge raffle. Every order of gyudon beef bowl and Coke entitles them to one raffle coupon. Promo runs from Feb. 1 to 28. Raffle draw is scheduled on Feb. 28 at SM Megamall Bldg. A Atrium.

Yoshinoya SM Megamall patrons will be happy with the outlet’s new look. In the past, Yoshinoya outlets have always been clean and well- lit, but the store’s new design that includes traditional Japanese elements such as Zen-inspired counters, Japanese fans as ceiling accents, and contemporary Japanese-style tables and chairs, dividers that resemble shoji screens, and a display niche showcasing Japanese bowls is more aesthetically pleasing. The red-orange color palette is a tribute to Japan’s sobriquet as the "Land of the Rising Sun," and the restaurant lighting has been customized, combining white and yellow lights, to give diners a warm and cozy feel.

"We are pleased to present the new Yoshinoya concept, in celebration of our fifth year of serving authentic and high quality Japanese food at affordable prices," said Yoshinoya business unit head Leo Po. "With our new design, we are confident customers will be more excited to visit our store and enjoy their favorite Japanese food."

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Yoshinoya trivia: Did you know that there is a Yoshinoya video game? The restaurant simulation/action game by the company Success allows you to live the fast-paced lifestyle of a fast-food employee in Japan.

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Visit the new concept Yoshinoya Restaurants at SM Megamall and their branches at Park Square 1 in Ayala Center, SM City North Edsa, Robinsons Galleria, and V Mall Carpark.