It doesn’t hurt to try new, unique, and exciting things to fill up one’s time especially when it comes to food. It also wouldn’t be bad if it is something that you can share with your family or friends. At Island Mall Mactan, a new player in the F&B industry is cooking something that goes beyond what is often tried at any mundane Japanese restaurant. Named Ochee! Kushi Katsu, the Japanese co-owned restaurant has been offering something truly Japanese to everyone’s palate since its soft opening last February of this year. Along with the usual Japanese favorites such as sushi and gyoza, Ochee! Takes pride in serving their very-own Kushi Katsu that is sure to make some noise in the locals and tourists’ taste buds. 

 Ochee! Kushi Katsu's 3 original sauces

 Ochee! Kushi Katsu's 5 Course Kushi Katsu 350php 

     Kushi Katsu is a Japanese dish consists of deep-fried skewered meat and vegetables. The meat and the vegetables are then fried after being coated with egg, flour, and panko. Kushi directly translates to skewers while katsu refers to a cutlet of meat usually pork. The dish may have several variations, but it’s surely best shared. At Ochee! I had the chance to try their 5 course kushi katsu which has white onion, lotus root, pork meat, chikuwa, and shrimp. It was served with Ochee’s 3 original sauces which compliment the kushi katsu so well making the dish more savory. 

 Potato Salad with Potato Chips 150php good for 2-3 persons

      We were served with Potato Salad with Potato Chips as appetizers. Two potato dishes is not a bad idea. The crunchiness of the chips dances so well with the creaminess of the potato salad which contains fresh vegetables and boiled eggs. The salad is served with a wooden mixer making one’s meal more interactive and memorable.

    Ochee! Kushi Katsu's Mochiko Chicken (240php) with its piquant flavor makes it a crowd favorite. The chicken meat has the right crunch on the outside and tender juicy meat which you'll get to enjoy once you start diving into these bite-sized glories. It was served to us with a tangy sauce, but I like it better without the sauce. Either way tastes great. 

     Ochee's Shrimp Ahijo (160php) reminds me of Spanish gambas. I'm not sure if it has butter in it, but it sure does have that buttery taste. Its sauce has that melt-in-your-mouth creaminess which highlights the natural flavor of the fat shrimps. 

      Another notable dish that I’ve tried at Ochee! is the DoteYaki (150php good for 2 persons). Ochee’s DoteYaki is so flavorful and the beef itself is very tender. It's probably the softest beef that I've ever tried. This one’s a real must-have not just for beef lovers.

      Before diving into desserts, we had a bowl of Meat Soup Udon (380php good for 2-3 persons) made from the freshest ingredients available. The warm and hearty bowl made of tender meat and chewy udon noodles is a perfect treat for this rainy June season in the Philippines. This is also a perfect meal for one or maybe two hungry stomachs. Make sure you have someone to share this with because this is a very filling dish that's meant to be shared! 

 Ochee! Kushi Katsu's Green Tea Creme Brulee 200php good for 2-3 persons

        We capped off our dining experience at Ochee! with its heavenly Matcha Crème Brulee which should not be missed. For only 200php (4USD) you’ll get to experience a piece of heaven as the sweetness of the caramelized sugar combined with the slightly bitter matcha blends and melts together in your mouth.

    You can't dine at Ochee! without trying their drinks as well. Which is why I chose to try their 

Blueberry Smoothie (200php) which was topped with blueberries and mint. It's fruity and refreshing taste is perfect when the sun smiles a little bit brighter than usual. It's just one of their finest drinks available so make sure you get to try their other beverages.

      It is a known fact that Japanese restaurants sprout all over Cebu along with the constant rise of Japanese tourists in the whole island. What makes Kushi Katsu different is its real Japanese authentic dishes that comes in friendly prices. It is also located in a very accessible location so if you're craving for some Japanese flavors, go ahead and visit Ochee! Kushi Katsu.

I hope you'll have a wholesome gastronomical experience at Ochee Kushi Katsu as I did once you visit the place. 💖

Ochee! Kushi Katsu is located at 2nd flr. Alfresco Area of Island Central Mall, MEPZ Ecozone, Brgy. Ibo, Lapu-Lapu City. It's open for lunch at 10:00Am-2:00PM and 5:00PM-10:00PM for dinner. For inquiries you may call them at +63 32 410-3614 or +63 917 723 3280.