Kimpura's Teppanyaki Grilling in Greenbelt 5, Makati
My mom just celebrated her birthday, and we picked Kimpura to be the venue for our intimate celebration. We were initially choosing between Sugi and this restaurant, but we agreed to go for the one we haven't tried. So, that's how we ended up dining here in Greenbelt 5's Kimpura.
(This is a late post because this happened in November 2018. I didn't realize that this was buried all the way down in my back logs. Anyway, please enjoy reading this article.)
A zen-ful experience
Tsumura's interior is vastly modernized with subtle hints of Japanese in its design. Yet the wooden overall gives you the "zen" feels which is further externalized by the dining setup and the comfy chairs.
Capitalizing on the teppan feature, you'll find here a handful of teppanyaki grills wherein the chefs will prepare your dishes on the spot (applies to select dishes).
A wide selection in Kimpura
The menu is also quite expansive, which may bring confusion to those unfamiliar with other specialties of the cuisine. Of course, you'll find the staples there such as rolls, maki, sashimi and tempura. But there are quite a few others that are interesting to explore.
The Salmon Aburi (P395) reminded me of my fantastic experience in Ooma (read more), but perhaps this was a slight notch higher. Good blend of Japanese mayo and a hint of kick that made the more defined.
Trailing behind the Salmon Aburi, the Dragon Roll (P395) was rather a disappointment. Perhaps the mango killed the momentum. The sourness pulled the attention away from the unagi which should have been the primary focus. If only avocado was in season, it would give this dish more justice. Hence as a suggestion, if avocado is not available, go for the Salmon Aburi instead.
The Agedashi Tofu (P125) had this gingery sweetness that went well with the silkiness of the tofu.
The Yaki Gyoza (P175) was another dish that was able to beat my current top 1 (which was in Tsukumo Ramen). I just loved how crisp the sides was adding a good play on the texture. Plus, the core was meaty and melty driving up the sensation further.
The Dashi Maki Mix (P185) is a great started for those who can't get enough of eggs!
It was very entertaining to witness how the chef carefully prepared our teppan dishes with such skill and precision. It just built up our excitement further, and you can see that with the glow in my mom's eyes.
When the chef was about to serve the Okonomiyaki, everyone was on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
Prepared on the spot, the Okonomiyaki (P410) was really tender that it melted in my mouth. The mix of fresh and veggies combined with the right portion of mayo and other spices made this dish overflow with goodness. It was perhaps the best Okonomiyaki I tasted in the Metro.
For the Yakisoba (P350), the thinness of its noodles while still magically retaining some firmness captivated my buds. Normally, I don't enjoy Yakisoba, but this was quite an exception. It also had a good push and pull of sweet-savory goodness.
The Mixed Fried Rice (P115) was a bit of a lackluster, especially comparing the experience from the rest of the dishes. But I guess, I can't really expect that much from a rice dish, right? Plus, the plainness was complimentary to the distinct flavors of other dishes.
The Beef Teppanyaki (P595) was fine and very tender, but its saltiness could sting the buds. Perhaps we weren't able to pair this with other dishes (or perhaps wine). Good thing we also had plain rice to balance the saltiness of the meat.
The Tofu Steak (P250) roared with amazing flavors that was altogether sweet, spicy, gingery and savory! This will give your palate a jolt. Very recommended!
Last but not the least (although the most expensive), the Gindara (P975) was excellent and very comparable with that of Sugi (read more). It was skillfully prepared evidenced by the velvety texture and succulent taste. However, given the price, only order this if you have excess budget. Otherwise, you can just skip the dish.
We no longer had any desserts because everyone was already satisfied with what we had for the night. Again, happy birthday my dearest mother!
Kimpura - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings reflect my personal experiences on the times I dine here.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★
Budget: at least P600 each for a moderate to heavy sharing-type of dining experience with a group of at least four (4)
No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 1 || Date of first visit - November 2018
Kimpura can be too intimidating given it's prime location in Greenbelt 5 as well as its interior. However, with careful selection, you can experience the teppan grilling without too much breaking the bank. Servers may not be as "warm", but they never miss to attend to your needs. I highly suggests that you go for the Okonomiyaki, Salmon Aburi, Gyoza, Tofu Steak and Yakisoba.
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Kimpura
Location: 4/F, Greenbelt 5, Greenbelt Dr, Makati, Metro Manila
Reservation No.: (02) 621 6791
Service Charge: 10% before VAT
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