An Okinawan Foodtrip at Ohana Isakaya
the stall
With an open mind and an empty stomach, I checked out Ohana Isakaya at Backyard Food Park -- the newest food collective on the farther north of Quezon City. The stall just opened just July and people within the Fairview area are flocking here to get a taste of great food.
From burgers and sausages to grilled meats, rice meals and unique drinks, there's always something that can satisfy your craving.
Photo taken from Backyard Food Park's Facebook Page
When I went there, the first thing that I tried was Ohana Isakaya, which serves delicious Japanese grub which includes a few Okinawan specialties at smashingly affordable prices.
the owners are a husband-and-wife team who are very hands on with the everyday operations at ohana isakaya, with the wife being filipino-japanese who used to live in okinawa.
don't let these dragon-looking creatures fool you. they're actually called Shisa - a cross between a lion and a dog from Okinawan mythology. People place pairs of shisa as guardians, with The male's open mouth that ward off evil spirits, and the female's closed mouth that keeps the good spirits in.
the food
as simple as their menu is, you should know that they use only authentic japanese ingredients for all their dishes.
the tomorokoshi or japanese style grilled corn sprinkled with bonito flakes, seaweed and japanese mayo. it's a combination of sweet, salty and savory flavors without the guilt.
I attempted to take a huge bite out of the Tomorokoshi, but thought my braces may be in danger if I'd do that.
but you can always request to slice off the corn off the cob so you can eat it as a quick appetizer or snack.
if you prefer some crispy and tender chicken action, you can order the karaage - pieces of chicken thighs drenched in batter and deep fried. this is irresistible to eat and best paired with a bottle (or two perhaps?) of ice cold beer.
ohana isakaya's karaage might just be the best kaarage I've had in the fairview area, so getting just one order is simply not enough.
the mixed tempura made with shrimp and vegetables is different from what you'd usually get in restaurants, since they used japanese bread crumbs instead of the usual battered / fried kind. If you prefer a lighter fare, this is something you can order.
But if you're extra hungry, you can also avail the Karaage and Mixed Tempura as Bento Meals, complete with Japanese rice and Kani salad.
i love how the rice is made even more special by topping it with japanese spices.
ohana isakaya's chanpuru is considered the representative dish of Okinawan cuisine, and is made up of tofu, vegetables, egg. however, ohana isakaya makes their version without meat, which makes it perfect for vegetarians.
the chanpuru at ohana isakaya is said to be one of their special okinawan family recipes.
The Chanpuru wasn't actually part of my usual Japanese favorites but having tried this already, I would love to order this again soon. It's a delicious and filling meal if i'm on a diet, most especially.
their tonkatsu is only available as a bento meal, but is rice ever a problem? of course not! have this with a bowl of miso soup which is available as a separate order.
Another item you should try at Ohana Isakaya is the Takoyaki, which is crispy on the outside, hot on the inside, and topped with all things delish. This is also one of my favorite things to eat, so it's definitely a must to order this. Yum!
the verdict
ohana isakaya serves japanese food that's made to order, so it's normal to wait a few minutes before you can actually get your hot plate of chicken karaage or takoyaki. everything is made simple yet delicious. thumbs up!
I also heard that they are now serving Futomaki and a mean Karaage Salad. Another reason to come back, perhaps?
where to find ohana isakaya
Backyard Food Park is open everyday from 5PM onwards.
ohana isakaya on social media
about the author
All other photos by Nines Sy Licad