A new take on 'modern Asian' at Hanobe

MANILA, Philippines - When we get hungry from the hundreds of food photos on our Instagram feed, we go out in search of new food experiences. It always helps when a restaurant offers an element of surprise. This is what the owners of Hanobe had in mind when they started their restaurant, which showcased their new take on familiar and comfortable cuisine.

Nestled in the sloping hills of Greenhills in San Juan, Hanobe is an Asian restaurant that redefines the category “modern Asian.” Co-owned by two enterprising sisters, Emily Castillo and Evelyn Lao, Hanobe first broke ground in the Banawe area, Quezon City, along Maria Clara Street.

“Everybody is going modern these days,” says Emily. “We wanted to have that feel but we gave our own twist to it.”

“We do not scrimp on the ingredients,” adds Evelyn. “Even on simple things like oil, soy sauce or spices, we use only the best.”

Hanobe’s diverse meal starts with appetizers like dimsum, siomai Hanobe and siopao

Upon entering the restaurant, one is surprised by the design and sheer size of the place. The high ceiling gives off a feeling of grandeur and luxury, unlike other restaurants with claustrophobic spaces. Hanobe’s interiors lure one to sit down, relax and enjoy good food.

“We wanted to have that hotel feel,” says Emily. “That’s why we instructed our architect to design it like this.”

The decorative chandeliers exude a hotel vibe, the comfortable seats and couches are reminiscent of hotel lobbies; even the music, which is mainly piano versions of hit songs, makes one feel that one has wandered into a posh hotel’s piano bar.

The splendor of the interiors would lead people to believe that the food there is expensive, but browsing through the menu will immediately dispel your misgivings.

Evelyn assures me that they go for quality over quantity.

Hanobe’s diverse cuisine has something for everyone. From pork to chicken lovers and even for vegetarians, the menu is complete and dishes can be altered in order to accommodate customer requests.

For appetizers, dim sum is available. For its siomai Hanobe uses diced meat instead of ground meat. This gives the siomai a different consistency and the flavor of the meat is retained.

Meat lovers will enjoy the different choices that Hanobe has to offer. The tung po pork is cooked to perfection using only the best ingredients. The Hanobe stuffed chicken is prepared by infusing the chicken with special herbs and spices and served with a special sauce that enhances its flavor.

Those who love seafood will love Hanobe’s fish fillet with taosi — fish cooked to perfection sprinkled with ground spices to add a little kick. Vegetarians are also accommodated in Hanobe as there is a variety of meat-free food that they can choose from. The braised stuffed bean curd and vegetarian hofan are all meat-free and also perfect for those on a diet.

Have a drink: There are lot of specialty drinks like the Hanobe’s black naicha jelly is sure to satisfy one’s milk-tea craving.

Cha yo chi is Hanobe’s prized house special. Typically this dish has a strange aroma that some might even find unpleasant, but Hanobe’s version is nothing but appetizing.

For tea lovers, one need not go to another cramped tea place to enjoy a bit of milk tea. Hanobe’s black naicha jelly is sure to satisfy one’s milk-tea craving. The concoction is refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness but does not leave a powdery feel in the mouth, proof that it is not made from the flavored powders common to tea outlets nowadays.

The menu is not restricted to what is listed on it, though; one can request for a bit of “editing” on the ingredients or the type of cooking one wants on a particular dish.

“We cater to a customer’s needs, especially when it’s health-related. When they want to remove a certain ingredient or add a little more, we can do that,” says Emily. “We put importance on health here. Our own family eats here and we are very health-conscious. We want to offer that love for health to our customers.”

The saying “Never judge a book by its cover” rings true in the case of Hanobe. Its grand design shouldn’t throw you off or intimidate you. More than anything else, the enormity of the restaurant only adds to a distinct dining experience. And it seems more people are taken by Hanobe’s gustatory delights, as demand for other locations is beginning to crop up.

“We are already getting a lot of requests to put up another branch,” Emily says. “When we scouted for a new place, this area was just being developed and we decided to put up our second branch here because of its strategic location.”