Zaan Japanese Tea House in QC: A Japanese Home Cooking Bistro

While most Japanese restaurants offer fine dining, you can find solace at Zaan Japanese Tea House as it reflects comfort and style in both the interior and food.

Its concept is a Japanese home-cooking bistro conceived by Non Iwamoto, continually being given life by a dedicated Filipino team.

One of their best-sellers is the Zaru Soba (Plain Soba- Php 220), made with chilled buckwheat soba noodles and served with nori, soy sauce, plum, wasabi, and spring onions.

Also read: Quezon City One-Day Guide: The Dream City of the North

Zaru Soba (Plain Soba- Php 220)

The Classic Onigiri, on the other hand, is comprised of three pieces of Japanese rice balls with three flavors. Tamago (Php 180), Salmon (Php 220), and Tuna (Php 220).

They also serve a mix of all three (Php 200) for those who want to try everything.

Tamago (Php 180), Salmon (Php 220), Tuna (Php 220) and a mix of all three (Php 200)

The savory Japanese pancake Okonomiyaki also comes in three flavors. You can choose from either pork (Php 250), squid (Php 260), or both (Php 290).

Pork (Php 250), Squid (Php 260) or both (Php 290). 

After a filling meal, make sure to try their Warabimochi (Php 100), a jelly-like confection typically eaten during tea time. It is made from bracken starch and covered or dipped in soybean flour.  –

WATASHI WAGASHI. Usually, types made of mocha, wagashi refers to Japanese sweets often served with tea. Warabimochi is one type of wagashi.

Aside from the snacks their menu offers, they also sell TsokoFino, boxed chocolates with pili nuts that you can opt to have in boxes (Large – Php 650 / Medium – Php 280 / Small – Php 190).

What’s more to love about Zaan Japanese Tea House is that you get to experience authentic Japanese culture through their tea ceremonies and cooking lessons.

They also have Nihongo chit-chat nights, a perfect time for their best-selling favorites such as Japanese rice and noodle dishes, desserts, and beverages like beer and sake.

How to get here

• By car: From Quezon Memorial Circle, take the Quezon Ave onto Timog Ave. Turn right to Mother Ignacia. Zaan is on the left side, ground floor of Norfil Building.

---

This first appeared in Philippine Primer’s Japanese and English Magazine September 2019 issue.
Updated as of September 12, 2019

General Information