Our Little Tokyo date was supposedly for my birthday celebration since I’ve been wanting to go there for the longest time. But I just decided to celebrate it with my close group of friends since it’s easier for me and my boyfriend to reschedule things.

Yesterday we were finally able to visit this charming place filled with things you see in Japanese anime and movies, a place fit for lovers of both Japanese food and culture. And both of us being suckers for anything Japanese (yes, we’re nerds) we’ve  been planning this date for almost half a month down to the last detail. As Eisenhower said: Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.

We arrived there at 11am (took the MRT to Magallanes station walked a little to hail a cab and passed by DBTI, Walter Mart and Plaza Fair) I was super excited to see the iconic Little Tokyo arc as if it was an entrance to a Japanese temple. (This picture of us was taken by a friendly old man sweeping the street so it’s not entirely picturesque)

As we entered the small compound there’s an alleyway with shrubs and trees that resembled Japanese landscaping. (Pardon my haggard face and hair. Haha!)

Here’s another photo capturing the alleyway (Yes it’s me again my boyfriend is fond of taking my pictures. I think after this post you would be sick of seeing my face)

And here’s the one upon entering the compound (So you won’t be sick of my face here is my back. lol.)

We were welcomed by a cat lying around. Really reminded me of how the Japanese are fond of cats.

And we spotted a ninja cat too!

At 11am the place is nearly deserted with only employees roaming the area. The restaurants were just being set up, chairs are left the way there were at closing with random men delivering fresh vegetables.

Restaurants open at 11:30 so we just waited outside and camwhored a bit.

We camped outside Kagura, an okonomiyaki restaurant.

At exactly 11:30 doors opened and a girl greeted “Irrashaimase” (welcome) and we went inside. I was thrilled since it really had the feel of an authentic Japanese hole in the wall restaurant. Complete with tatami mats and Japanese baseball memorabilia (Idk why though maybe the owner is a fan) 

We ordered the specialty of the house, okonomiyaki! But there were lots of kinds like okonomiyaki with noodles, eggs and pork, shrimp etc. We just decided to order their special okonomiyaki. It had bacon, I wouldn’t say no to anything with bacon! We watched as it was prepared right in front of us since we were seated at the bar.

And ta-da the finished product! Looks and tastes extremely delicious!

We shared one whole pizza and had iced tea. They also served complementary dessert. Our bill was 490 not bad for something unique and really really good!

After Kagura, we ate dessert at Hana. It’s strawberry shaved ice with milk. We shared it too since I had colds and couldn’t eat really cold food. And the taste was weird at first but it’s not bad to try it.

We left Little Tokyo bringing with us lots of pictures, a gleeful heart and a well-satisfied stomach! I’ll go back and try the other restaurants for sure! :)