The Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City has seen lots of developments in the recent years that has passed, and that includes new malls and restaurants to explore!
Met Live is a relatively new mall that does not have much foot traffic yet. Not much people knows that the mall is already open (apart from the restaurants located just outside the mall), and that there are stalls inside you can already visit. One of those hidden gems in this new mall is Kyoto Chaya.
Kyoto Chaya is a Japanese restaurant dedicated to introducing Kyoto to the Filipinos. The name is derived from combining the name of the Japanese City (Kyoto) and the Japanese term for a traditional resting place travelers love to visit for some light meals (Chaya). The restaurant is all about letting the customers experience Kyoto - its values, traditions, and even its ambiance and food.
They have an extensive menu that is mainly focused on offering healthier and lighter alternatives to our mainstream Japanese favorites, plus coffee and tea drinks made from premium beans and leaves.
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Gyukushi P150/stick
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It's been so long since I last had wagyu cubes, and I have been craving for them for months, so the mere sight of these qyukushi sticks already had me imagining its juicy taste. Every bite was worth all the excitement. The gyukushi was able to meet my expectations, although the price is a bit hefty for the serving size.
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| Sweet Potato Cheese Korokke P190 |
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| Sweet Potato Cheese Korokke P190 |
I'm love almost anything made of sweet potatoes, but combine that with cheese (which is my ultimate favorite) and I'll give you my money with no questions asked! The sweet potato cheese korokke was just what my starving self needed to boost my appetite and have it ready for the coming meals. I loved how the soft, mashed sweet potato croquette went well with the gooey cheese, so make sure to eat it while it's hot!
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Takoyaki P180
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I haven't been a fan of takoyakis, probably because I always get them from the wrong places. So I wasn't really enticed when we were served with a plate of takoyaki for appetizers, but after having a bite, I realized why most of the people I know are obsessed with it. Their takoyaki, unlike most of the ones I've had before, isn't all batter! I was surprised that it had a chunk of octopus inside (which is what a takoyaki should have), and that it tasted so good along with the rest of the toppings (bonito flakes, mayo, sweet takoyaki sauce). This is seriously one of the best takoyakis I've had, and it really changed the way I feel about the snack. It got me thinking - should I jump from one restaurant to the other just to try their takoyakis???
One of the highlights of Kyoto Chaya is their Shirataki Pasta, which is a healthier, fiber-rich alternative to the normal pastas we are all very familiar with. It has a more glassy appearance, and a chewier and less-starchy texture.
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| Mentaiko Cream Shirataki Pasta P320 |
The Mentaiko Cream Shirataki Pasta is currently gaining popularity because of its keto-friendly nature. It's a cream-based shirataki pasta with the taste of fresh crabs.
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| Chicken Miso Cream Shirataki Pasta P270 |
The chicken miso cream shirataki pasta has got to be my favorite out of the three pastas we've tried primarily because it had the most unique taste. I found it a lot creamier than the mentaiko cream pasta, and I enjoyed the sweet and savory flavor of the miso that's perfectly infused/embedded in the noodles.
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Tomato, Bacon, and Eggplant Shirataki Pasta P270
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Though it did not taste like something a Japanese restaurant would normally offer, the tomato, bacon, and eggplant shirataki pasta was also a dish I truly loved, being a fan of red-sauced pastas wherein you can really taste the adicidty of the tomatoes used. If you're also into a tomato-based pasta like that, then I highly suggest that you try this one. It won't disappoint you.
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Cold Chicken Somen Jelly P200
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The somen noodles compares to the soba in terms of the way it is served i.e. cold and with dipping sauce. But they also differ a lot. Somen noodles are way thinner, plus its texture is softer, the kind that is perfect if you're feeling under the weather or just had your tooth extracted. It also had a less salty taste than the sobas I've tried. If there's anything I'd really really consider as the healthiest dish we've had, it would be the cold chicken somen jelly.
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Katsu Sando P230
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As I've said from a previous review of this Japanese dish, I'm not really a fan of katsu sandwich, and it's not because it's not good, it's just that I am not a fan of the combination of bread and tonkatsu. The tonkatsu in itself was good. It's a bit thinner than what I prefer, but it was fine especially when dipped in the sauce. The taro chips that go with it were quite addicting, though!
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Kinako Milk Frappe P170 (right)
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I recently had hyperacidity. Because of that, I tried avoiding caffeine with the kinako milk frappe. It's a blend of milk and roasted sesame topped with chipped cream. To be honest, I'm not sure if I liked it or not. What's good about it is it tasted different and did not have too much sweetness. It's not a drink that everyone will instantly love.
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Houjicha Soft Cream P150
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I was trying to avoid caffeine but failed when we got to dessert, as I really wanted to give the houjicha soft cream a try. The houjicha cream is a roasted tea soft serve ice cream, and it is perfect for those who love the strong taste of tea in their dessert.
Kyoto Chaya has a lot more to offer than just all these, but their keto-friendly pastas, delicious appetizers, and quality tea products are the highlight of my visit. And based from this experience, I'm willing to come back and give their other items a shot.
My Scores:
Pricing - 3.5/5
Service - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Taste - 4/5
Hungry for more,
Address: 2F Met Live Mall, EDSA Corner Macapagal Blvd., Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Operating Hours: 10am to 9pm (Sun-Thu); 10am to 10pm (Fri-Sat)
Contact: +632 240-5758
Budget: from P300 per person
Parking: Pay Parking
Parking: Pay Parking
Instagram: @kyotochaya
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