Kodawari Salcedo — Restaurant in Makati

I've visited this restaurant twice now, both with office colleagues and for lunch. It's typically quite packed so I suggest going a bit early (11:30 ish) if you can.

Spicy Gyudon (P430.00) Beef is tender, there's good amount of spiciness, and the rice is quality. I do think it can be a bit oily so you may want to have a drier side dish to balance everything. I'm a fan of their crispy talbos ng kamote (the green part that looks like nori). The serving size is large enough to make me full by itself.

Karaage (P295.00) This does not come with rice. Doesn't seem to be as popular as the gyudon as this was the last item to arrive in our order. This is pretty okay and there is a good amount of what I think are ground sichuan peppercorns (and the corresponding numbing effect that has). I'd love it if the seasoning was used by other restaurants for their salt and pepper dishes. I think this is better served as an additional dish to complement your gyudon or other order as the taste profile is quite flat by itself. The serving size is large enough to make me full by itself.

Chickendon (P335.00) This, I guess, is their version of chicken teriyaki? This is fine but I wouldn't order it again. I would go for something cheaper like that from Tokyo Tokyo if I wanted something like this. This is not oyakodon. Serving size is equivalent to other bowl items.

Chilimansi (P355.00) The menu says that these are fresh noodles but I don't think they're much better that decebt quality instant noodles. I guess if you like Lucky Me Pancit Canton you can try this upmarket/restaurant version of it. Wouldn't try again. I wouldn't pair it with the Spicy Gyudon but you may get better mileage if paired with the regular gyudon or other non-spicy options. The spice profile is too similar, I think.

Spicy Salmon (P365.00) This is pretty solid. From what I've had I would order this or the Spicy Gyudon if I came back, but would probably not order both on one trip.

Service is relatively brisk but on my second visit I encountered a slightly rude attendant (nothing to make a fuss about in person) and a slightly dirty glass.

There is a service charge...

The food at Kodawari Salcedo is a total knockout! Everything I ate was delicious and made with care. The spicy salmon is a sensational starter; it’s raw, but the flavor is so fresh and perfectly seasoned, it’s completely irresistible. The Gyudon is also a great choice, offering excellent value with a huge serving and tons of meat—it’s satisfying comfort food. But honestly, the undisputed champion was the Chashudon. The pork was unbelievably soft and tender, melting in my mouth, and the rich flavor was simply divine.I also tried the Chilimansi noodles. It’s a creative dish with a spicy and tangy dressing, but I thought it was just okay—nothing new, but it's tasty. Even the drinks were fantastic. Both the house blend iced tea and the kodawari herbal iced tea were great—the house blend wasn't sticky or too sweet, and the herbal one was perfectly mixed and wonderfully refreshing. I recommend you don’t skip the dessert! The fuji apple cloud was amazing, with a lovely hint of cinnamon and super soft ice cream paired with tender apple slices.

The service was prompt and professional. The staff were very attentive and moved quickly, which meant I didn't wait long for my food. They were fast to assist me whenever I needed anything. Just remember, they do add a service charge to the bill.

The restaurant has a bright and welcoming vibe. There are plenty of tables, and some even have comfy couches. My only two small comments are about the space: the main walkway can feel a little tight when the place is full. Also, a quick suggestion for the restroom: it was clean, but I think adding a nice air freshener would make the experience even better.

Overall, ​if you're looking for a Japanese place where the food is the absolute star, Kodawari Salcedo is a must-visit. Despite minor spatial issues, the exceptional quality of their signature bowls and the delicious drinks guarantee a satisfying and highly memorable dining experience. The generous portions and outstanding flavors make it well...

Kodawari means “The Uncompromising and Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.”

They started as a delivery service during the pandemic, offering trays of gyudon which I think I have tried at least once. Later on they expanded their donburi lineup with shroomdon and chashudon while opening their physical store in Adamson Centre, Leviste Street, Makati.

I like Katsudon. I order it every time I eat at a Japanese restaurant for the first time. I go so far as to rate the place based on how they prepare this seemingly simple dish. But in this case, my instincts told me to try the shroomdon instead.

It had me at “Four kinds of mushrooms”. I’m not a fan of shrooms…yet. But I’ve heard good things about including this to our diet. What better way to add it by having different kinds in one go.

It is also the first time I’ve seen Talbos ng Kamote in any menu and in any other dish aside from sinigang na isda. I got curious, so I went for it.

I thought the presentation was very nice. The mushrooms covered the rice while being blanketed by the talbos ng kamote and butter strips. I honestly didn’t notice the egg until I mixed the whole thing.

The taste was delicious! The best donburi sauce I’ve had! It complemented the unique flavors of the mushrooms which I won’t attempt to name. Some of the best katsudon I’ve had have mushrooms in it but this one showed me that I can do away without any meats.

Everything was perfect except for a minor oversight when they served white rice instead of brown when they asked me earlier.

Nothing is perfect, but Kodawari is sure close to it!

When in...