Foodtrip: Bono Tei Japanese Restaurant

UPDATE:

Sadly, Bono Tei closed down in 2014.

Our food trip today takes our adventurous taste buds to the land where educational institutions, wellness spas, and restaurants abundantly sprout like wild grass. Inside this jungle of business establishments lies one eye-catching restaurant that would be the subject of our praises and scrutiny.

Bono Tei Japanese Restaurant

Fellow backpackers, join me as we visit Bono Tei Japanese Restaurant, more commonly known as Bono Tei, located in B.F. Homes, Parañaque City.

Bono Tei can be found at 333 El Grande, corner of Jakarta Street, B.F. Homes, Parañaque City. If you have an eye for striking architectural design, spotting the restaurant will not be a problem. If not, there are plenty of people around to ask, so there is no need to worry.

When I first saw Bono Tei, it immediately reminded me of a traditional Japanese home, complete with a serene zen garden. However, since my only references came from magazine images at the time, I brought along someone who had already visited Japan to help me critique both the place and the food.

It got me too! I thought I was in Japan!

However, it’s not just the architectural design that matters—it’s also about the food. As with my other food trip blogs, I’d like to clarify that I’m not a professional food connoisseur. Everything I share here is based purely on my personal observations and experiences at the restaurant.

Team Nicerio visits Bono Tei

I have tried many restaurants serving Japanese and pseudo-Japanese food, but most of the time these come in the form of eat-all-you-can or shabu-shabu establishments. Because of this, I tend to “Filipinize” the way I mix my food, which usually means that authenticity goes out the window.

According to my “adviser,” the Japanese consider food preparation an art form. He also mentioned that when you see Japanese food, you might actually hesitate to eat it because it looks too beautiful.

Looks like a Zen garden to me.

When I visited Bono Tei, I took some time to look around the venue to see how everything was set up. I found the outer area quite captivating. The decorative bamboo plants and Japanese lanterns, even without sand and rocks, all contribute to the Japanese feel of a zen garden. Although koi ponds originally come from Chinese tradition, the pond adds an extra layer of attraction for customers.

Bono Tei's koi pond

Outdoor dining area

It is often said that the best time to dine at Bono Tei is in the evening, when the atmosphere is at its best and when many of the customers are Japanese. However, my visit took place at noon, and the heat was intense, making it uncomfortable to even take photos in the outer area. Because of this, my group decided to settle in one of the function rooms inside the restaurant.

The interior design is a blend of Western and Asian elements. While it is tasteful, it may confuse diners who are expecting a completely traditional Japanese setting. Sorry, everyone, there are no chabudai tables here. That said, there really is no such thing as a 100 percent authentic Japanese restaurant outside Japan.

With that in mind, I made a list of Japanese-inspired details that I noticed during my visit to Bono Tei. Here are a few worth pointing out:

• Your dining experience begins with the staff greeting you with “irasshaimase,” which means “welcome” or “please come in.”

• You pass through a noren, the traditional Japanese fabric divider, before entering the restaurant.

• An oshibori, or hot towel used to wipe your hands, is provided before your meal is served.

• Matcha, or Japanese green tea, is served, although it comes without the traditional Japanese sweets usually offered before meals.

True to its Japanese theme, it has a noren

The matcha or Japanese green tea

Now let's try out the food...

Bono Tei's menu

Upon looking at the menu, you will find list after list of dish names that can be difficult to pronounce or even understand, unless you speak Japanese. I suggest asking the waitress for a brief description of the dishes to help you decide. Most customers tend to order familiar items such as sushi or tempura, but I encourage you to bring out your adventurous side and try something that sounds mysterious.

Consider ordering sea urchin, also known as uni, or other intriguing dishes with unfamiliar names. Just be mindful of the price. In my case, I was fortunate enough to sample several dishes without having to order them myself. Among everything served during my visit, the ones I will never forget are the tempura and the wagyu, which were cooked on a sizzling plate.

Here's the list of dishes I've tried out (minus the wagyu): 

Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at Bono Tei, thanks to the friendly staff, delicious food, and scenic outdoor dining area. Given another chance, I would definitely return to try more of their dishes. Until then, my comments about Bono Tei will remain mostly focused on its architectural design, which is understandable since it is not an all-you-can-eat restaurant.

Getting to Bono Tei:

 

Ratings:

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating