#IssaEATS: 81 SeiHai @ Timog Avenue!

If you've met me already, I'm pretty sure that one of the first things out of my mouth is, "what's your favorite cuisine?" It's my go-to question that helps me figure out what kind of person you are (no worries, there's never a right or wrong answer here!).

Chances are that when you throw the question back at me, I would almost scream, "JAPANESE!"

For those who know me well enough, you know that I'm a huge fan of sushi, ramen, and a nice bowl of Gohan. That's why I was super excited when I got the invite to review 81 SeiHai, a Japanese place located in Timog!

The entrance of 81 SeiHai already impresses, and once you are ushered inside, you're greeted with traditional-meets-modern designs. There is a warm vibe to the restaurant that makes it a great place for dinners with friends, or even when dining in alone! 

The best part of it (well, as a freelancer), is that the shared tables have outlets and USB ports, making the restaurant conducive to both dining and work. It's probably one of the only places I know that serve good food (Japanese to boot!) while being student/freelancer-friendly.

But anyway, on to the food! We were served a ton of delicious items, and these are my top five favorites I couldn't get enough of:

1. The Ninja Boat (3,600 PHP)

This was one of the first dishes (or should I say boat?) brought out, much to my pleasure. While I wasn't the hugest fan of the crabsticks and tamago, I appreciated the tuna sashimi and nigiri the most (which is usually what I always order). It's great for sharing with up to eight people, making it sulit (it's 3,600 PHP but packed with quality sushi and excellent presentation!).

2. Jalapeno Poppers (280 PHP) and the Salmon Sakai (340 PHP)

You'll know I always go for anything spicy, and I probably had five of these before tapping out. It wasn't the spiciest, but it did leave a nice sensation and flavor. 

The Salmon Sakai is delicious as well, with a nice crunch that bodes well with the creaminess of the avocado and red salmon.

3. Spicy Beef Ramen (310 PHP)

Sisig Ramen

They served us a sisig ramen (330 PHP), which was good because I love sisig! However, I'm not a huge fan of infusing certain cuisines and dishes, which includes Filipino-Japanese. It's a unique twist, but not my type.

Spicy Beef Ramen

However, the Spicy Beef Ramen hits the spot. It's spicy, well-cooked, and with a generous portion of beef that makes it good to share (unless you've got a stomach like mine!).

4. Miso Salmon Steak with Mashed Potato (520 PHP)

This was an interesting main course I enjoyed. I didn't realize how well salmon and mashed potatoes would go together, topped with a miso sauce. Again, kudos to the presentation and quality cooking. The salmon steak was moist and tender while the mashed potatoes were smooth, a consistency I appreciate!

They also have the Sesame Seared Tuna with Risotto (540 PHP), another main and popular dish.

5. Chicken Curry (250 PHP)

While this was very different from the Japanese curry I miss in Singapore, their chicken curry dish is quite delicious and something I kept coming back to as well! The chicken was well cooked, a slightly thick curry sauce that wasn't just from a packet, and with a generous serving fit for its price. 

Not a fan of chicken? They've got Beef Curry (250 PHP) available as well!

Quench Yo Thirst

I also want to note that they have a wide selection of drinks available for those who are there to lounge and relax. 

Whether you're there to work/study, dine, or enjoy the night out (they've got acoustic nights!), you can choose between their many shakes and fruit smoothies available.

On to Dessert!

It's not a complete dinner without dessert! We were served two that met my sweet tooth's standards, which was their fried ice cream and cheesecake.

The fried ice cream was interesting, sort of like a tempura but think ice cream inside it. Topped with whipped cream and a cherry on top, it looks just as good as it tastes.

The cheesecake has a hint of lemon, adding tartness to the sweet and creamy filling. The graham base crumbles, but I would still give it a plus one for the balance of flavors without it being overwhelming.

My Verdict?

Shitake Termidor

From its clean and warm ambiance (they even have acoustic nights!) down to its excellent presentation in their food, 81 SeiHai did not disappoint.

Sure, it isn't the top 1 Japanese restaurant in the country, but because of its affordable prices and quality dishes with flavors that delight the palate, I'm sure I would come back when I'm in the area.

Visit 81 SeiHai at 81 Timog Ave, Diliman, Quezon City

Contact Number: (02) 355 0367

Facebook: 81 SeiHai