September 3, 2008

Japanese again

Yet another photo of a restaurant's interior without a photo of the food. Lyra's going to wring my neck one of these days. I can't help it—I like looking at how interiors are designed, whether they be restaurants, offices or homes. Food, I care about the taste, and if the presentation is good too then that's just a bonus. Anyone who knows Filipino cooking also knows that that's the reason why there aren't many Filipino restaurants in the world—our food tastes great but there's hardly any way to present it prettily or appetizingly. But that's finally changing with young chefs and their fusion Filipino cuisine. Anyway, I digress. This is the Rai Rai Ken Ramen House and Sushi Bar in Harbour Square, where we ate just before we watched a play at the Cultural Center of the Philippines—the reason why I managed to take some photos of Manila Bay, three of which you've already seen. Eki asked if this is the one that Imelda Marcos built and if I had photos. Yes, she had it built but no, unfortunately I wasn't able to take photos of it. We usually take the side entrance because it's nearer the parking lot and that looks like nothing. One of these days… Again, I digress. Rai Rai Ken is considered Japanese fastfood, and is not a fine dining, 'authentic' Japanese restaurant. I don't think fine dining restaurants are franchised, are they? You can tell just based on the loud photo mural, similar to the one in Kitaro which I posted in June. So, which of the two interiors do you like better?

Rai Rai Ken Ramen House and Sushi Bar in Harbour Square

11 comments:

Burd Zel Krai said...

hey hilda
definitely prefer this interior! i can't stand faces of hyper-happy people instructing me on how to eat as in your june post (sorry for the anger :P).
Japanese fastfood chain, hey?
reminds me of yoshinoya, which i known is big in japan (obviously) but also in hong kong - good, simple jap food without all the tradition and protocols.
but they don't like being called fastfood... it's good food, quickly! :)

Olivier said...

belle photo de l'intérieur du restaurant. Je n'ai jamais mangé dans un fastfood japonais, qu'elle différence avec un restaurant japonais ?

beautiful photo from inside the restaurant. I've never eaten in a fast-Japanese, that difference with a Japanese restaurant?

Anonymous said...

I do like the interior of Japanese homes. I was in Japan in 1953-1956 and the home interiors were basic and plain and the room was dominated by the hibachi. Now, they have the nicest bedroom furniture I have ever seen anywhere and the rest of their furniture mostly designed for modular homes is really special to me. I like it.

I also like your photography of the interior of the restaurant.

my Alien

Ken Mac said...

where's the food?

hadv said...

The food at Rairaiken tastes like Japanese-Filipino fusion food, not even anywhere near authentic Japanese food. That's why they're a hit here in the Philippines, especially in Cebu. Just like Tokyo-Tokyo. Why do they repeat their words btw..

Laurie Allee said...

I like this interior. We have a Japanese restaurant in Los ANgeles -- I can't remember the name -- where you can cook your own food on the table. I thought it was so great and had really great ambiance. I found out in Japan it's a chain and considered fast food. Darn, I wish I could remember what it's called...

Oleanderman said...

I think even Japanese-Filipino fusion fast food is likely healthier that the majority of English fast food! I personally love all oriental food. Getting peckish in fact...

marley said...

No food again! Naughty :)

The interior does look like a fast food type place. Was the food any good?

Joy said...

I've never been to Rai Rai Ken, though I might try it when I'm back home this December. Japanese interiors appeal to me - very minimalist.

Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your kind comments. Two more days til the weekend!


joy
Your Love Coach
A Pinay In England
I, Woman

• Eliane • said...

Hola chica! Yes, as Ken said: where's the food???

P.S.: the picture of the sunset and the marina are gorgeous! Bravo.

Anonymous said...

I like the chairs. I think they're really cute. The japanese stuff on the wall not so much. What's more predictable than Mt. Fuji? It's like an insult to the customers.