Moshi Moshi: Modern Japanese Fast Food in Katipunan

If you've been reading this blog for quite a while, then you'd probably know that I'm a big Japanese food lover. So when I got the chance to try out Moshi Moshi, a new Japanese fast food at Katipunan, Quezon City, how can I skip the trip.

I've eaten in a lot of Japanese food establishments -- full service restaurants, cafés, fast food chains and even in kiosks. And among those I've already tried, I can definitely say that Moshi Moshi has one of the most hip and refreshing ambiance. With hues of green, cream and white, this Japanese fast food didn't fail to give a good first impression.

For a fast food restaurant, Moshi Moshi was also really spacious. All thirty of us, a combination of both bloggers and OpenRicers, got to sit comfortably in the vicinity. And if you think we got the whole place packed, you're definitely wrong. Even with a big group to feed, Moshi Moshi still managed to continue its regular operations.

Like any other Japanese food spots, Moshi Moshi also has its own version of my favorite Miso Soup (P35). For something as inexpensive as this bowl, I was surprised at how good it tasted. The blend of miso and dashi was harmonious, and there was a generous amount of both the tofu and wakame.

We also got to try some side orders at Moshi Moshi like this 5-piece serving of Gyoza (P95) which I found quite small and a little flat. Although these dumplings were fried nicely, I found the meat fillings rather sad and dry.

We also got to sample an 8-piece serving of the most popular Japanese maki in the country, California Rolls (P139). These rolls were quite good. The sushi rice was sticky enough, the mango slices used were sweet, and the added Japanese mayo definitely made the roll more flavorful.

Moshi Moshi also had us try their 6-piece serving of Takoyaki (P55). Although this version of the famed Japanese street food was mostly made up of flour and only had little pieces of squid, the generous amount of Worcestershire sauce, mayo and dried bonito flakes made it quite enjoyable.

For the main course, we got to sample Moshi Moshi's Kin Deluxe Bento (P320). This boxed meal had stir-fried beef slices with rice, shrimp and sweet potato tempura, 3 pieces of takoyaki, a serving of kani salad and a fried egg. Although not as good as bento boxes from restaurants in Little Tokyo, as a hunger buster, this bento box will definitely satisfy a diner in need.

As a sweet ending, we also got to try the ever famous Milk Tea (P55). Unlike most milk teas I've tried though, Moshi Moshi's was too sweet for me and had a very distinct caramel taste. We also got to sample their soft serve Strawberry Ice Cream (P35) which was a nice meal ender.

Aside from the regular line of dishes at Moshi Moshi, our group also got the chance to sample what will soon be added to the restaurant's menu. We got a preview of the line of Healthy Salads which will be offering diners with a Kani Salad (P188) and a Healthy Mix Salad (P255) enough to feed 10 people.

I'd definitely pass up on the Kani Salad as it only had a little of the kani strips. But I wouldn't mind trying the Healthy Mix Salad, a blend of strips of lettuce, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, kani, mangoes, wakame, corn and comes with your choice of dressing -- Chinese, Japanese, French or Sesame.

To give customers more liberty in choosing what dishes they want, Moshi Moshi will also be offering Create Your Own Bento (P155) where diners can choose a rice topping to go with the following sidings: kani salad, onion rings and chicken karaage balls.

We got to make 2 of our own bento boxes -- a Gyu Bento and a Chicken Teriyaki Bento. Between these 2, I definitely preferred the one with chicken teriyaki as the chicken meat was tender and cooked in a flavorful teriyaki sauce. The sidings wasn't that bad too. The kani salad was the same as the big a la carte serving, the onion rings were fried to a nice crisp, and the chicken karaage balls albeit dry, were edible.

THE VERDICT

For a fast food establishment, Moshi Moshi definitely fared well. But as a general Japanese food provider, I know Moshi Moshi can still up its game and improve its dishes. However, although I was not entirely impressed with every dish I've tried, I'll still take a second trip to Katipunan to try their donburi (rice bowl) offerings, green tea shake and maybe grab a pack or two of their flavored KitKat.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 3.5/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Moshi Moshi, Katipunan
2/F Regis Center, 327 Katipunan Ave.,
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines
Facebook Page

Wanna read more about Moshi Moshi?
Moshi Moshi: Hello Fun Japanese Fast Food at Katipunan
Moshi Moshi Japanese Fast Food- Regis Center, Katipunan