MANILA, Philippines - What's not to love about flavorful, fresh sushi cradled on adorable mini trains that stop right beside your table?
Whether you are in a hunt for a new restaurant or simply a huge follower of the delectable rolls, Genki Sushi promises to satisfy your discerning palate with authentic Japanese cuisine leveled up with a twist.
Genki Sushi's Kousoko Train Express System
Last September, the famous Japanese conveyor sushi chain has found its way to the Philippines through the CEO of Mother Spice Food Corp., Eric Teng
"Genki Sushi is from Japan. It started in the 70s. There are a lot of Genki Sushi restaurants now around the world - In Japan, there are probably 200; 65 plus in Hong Kong; 3 in Singapore. I think they have 2 or more in Jakarta, few in Kuwait and US, and a lot in Hawaii. And this is the first one in the Philippines," says Teng.
CEO of Mother Spice Food Corp., Eric Teng poses below the famous Genki Sushi logo
True to the rigor and intensity symbolized by the Genki Sushi logo, the restaurant plates up mouth-watering food with the use of a revolutionary method to give diners an immersive dining experience.
Unlike the usual Japanese restaurants that casually pop up around the city, Genki Sushi uses a hi-tech ordering procedure to make eating as easy as "press, pluck and pick."
Interior of Genki Sushi restaurant includes tables with capacity ofaround four to six people.
"It is not the usual conveyor belt sushi," explains Teng. "It is more of a modern type. As you can see, we use an integrated iPad Touch ordering system to get the customers orders. Before, the food just keeps rolling round and round. Now, when you order, it is always fresh."
Genki Sushi's integrated iPad Touch ordering system
After placing orders (maximum of 3 per train) on the iPad Touch, the food is delivered within five to ten minutes via their Kousoku Express Train System.
Inspired by a Shinkansen bullet train that ranges from an Astroboy and race car design, this unique delivery system is programmed to slow down upon reaching a diner’s table and gives out an alert to announce that the food has arrived.
The delivery system is inspired by a Shinkansen bullet train that ranges from an Astroboy and racecar design
To make the system even more efficient and avoid traffic on the system, a buzzer would ring and a lighted button would blink to remind you to retrieve the plates and send back the train.
Beyond the novelty that the restaurant obviously has to offer, the restaurant also boasts of fresh, flavorful food items on the menu.
According to Teng, they always try their best to make sure that only the freshest food are served on the table.
California Maki Rolls by Genki Sushi
Northern Shirmp Sash by Genki Sushi
“Our salmon is sourced from Norway. We don’t just use any salmon or tuna. A lot of that comes from outsourced farms or suppliers. They deliver almost every day," he adds.
Scallop Pollock Roe by Genki Sushi
Tuna Sashimi by Genki Sushi
To ensure that only the freshest sushi remain on the conveyor belt system, Genki Sushi utilizes an advanced and fully automated detection system or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to keep track of every sushi plate, assuring its fresh and easy-to-serve advantage.
For dessert, Genki Sushi offers green tea ice cream and their signature cheesecake.
Green Tea Ice Cream by Genki Sushi
Rare Japanese Cheesecake by Genki Sushi
Moreover, each table is equipped with a tap of hot-water and matcha powder so the diners can also indulge in unlimited green tea. The customers are also served with the restaurant's very own refined soy sauce.
Matcha powder by Genki Sushi
Genki Sushi's unique soy sauce
Genki Sushi Manila is now open at the 2nd level of the Bonifacio Stopover Pavilion, 31st cor. Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City.
Photos by Philstar.com/Efigenio Toledo IV