I met Mao on my first day at work. He’s the ice cold somen of the bento that is my new colleagues. Being the warm miso soup that I am, I kept my distance. Although we worked on the same project (for two years), we never became close. I always thought hanging out with him is like the beni shake, with his designer stuff and snobbish aura, nice but you can’t always afford.

But as it turns out, Mao is iced green tea. An acquired taste, with his snarky comments (ironically enough, is one of the things I like the most about him), yet refreshing and just what you’d need during warm (and challenging) days. Our funny (albeit sometimes judgmental) conversations is just the tasty chawan mushi of what turned out to be an unlikely friendship. Having Mao as my project manager is the shake onigiri of knowledge – fulfilling with lots of precious salmon on how to handle work adversities, office politics and what not. The Mao-Felice-Teesh lunch out club (who knew, right?) is the matcha ice cream of a working day – sweet (but definitely not for everyone) and guaranteed for a truly authentic experience.

I will truly miss you, Mao. See you soon in Japan! 🙂

Photos are of lunch set meals (PHP 300-400). Other things to try (from all my previous visits): Gindara Special Bento, Makunouchi Special Bento, everything under the Steak Teishoku (warning: food coma!), the sashimi (prepared fresh – you can view it in the bar) and onigiri.

Tanabe Japanese Restaurant

2/F Jupiter Place, Jupiter St., Makati City

Open every day, 11:00 AM-2:30 PM, 5:00-10:30 PM