El Sueño Part II: Blending Japanese and Philippine Culture

Here is the continuation to my previous post on this interesting restaurant called El Sueño.
Explore what’s beyond this interesting welcome! (On the right, you’ll see common Philippine plants, like the herb banana. Above the entrance are spurts of water forming something like a curtain.)
Explore what’s beyond this interesting welcome! (On the right, you’ll see common Philippine plants, like the herb banana. Above the entrance are spurts of water forming something like a curtain.The left side shows why this place is unique–a blend of Japanese and Philippine culture.)

JAPANESE FOOD WITH A TWIST!

Previously, I mentioned that El Sueño serves Filipino food, but that doesn’t mean they don’t serve Japanese food. I tried one of them–Tsukumen!

“Tsukumen” means “dipping noodle.” So, instead of the usual “wet” noodles already immersed in soup when served, this dish has the noodles separated from the soup. However, this tsukumen is not the ordinary one; it’s another specialty of Mr. Ueno–with Moringa! Just like the Moringa shake, the noodles had an herby taste. The soup, to which the noodles are dipped, has coconut milk, onion, ginger and siling espada among its ingredients. For tsukumen lovers, it would indeed be a healthy choice.

Moringa Tsukumen

UNIQUE RESTAURANT SETTING AND AMBIENCE

It was evening, so I didn’t get a good and brighter view of the restaurant. However, the place is, again, not the usual setting in a restaurant. The experience was like having dinner in a beach resort with nipa cottages, which are made of wood (like bamboo) and nipa. (“Nipa” is a Filipino term for the palm tree scientifically called Nypa fruticans, whose dried leaves are used to thatch the hut.) Since the environment is filled with trees and plants, there is a likelihood to be bitten by mosquitoes; so, mosquito nets were artistically installed. Also, the staff will ask for your permission if he/she can put mosquito coils beneath the table for a more effective prevention from mosquito bites. Wonderfully, there were no reports of bites in our hut!

Exterior and interior look of the Filipino cottage
(Actually, there is also a Japanese type of cottage. See El Sueño’s photos on Trip Advisory’s site.)

Left: El Sueño also offers catering services; Right: They also have this Japanese style VIP cottage on the rooftop.
Mr. Ueno purposely had Philippine plants planted in the surrounding of the cottages because he found these to be an interesting part of Philippine culture. Among the trees you will see are guava, guyabano, banana and of course, Moringa oleifera. He thought information about these are worth sharing to his customers, especially his fellow Japanese. And he said he would love to tell his customers about it.

Left to right: 1) Top view of the restaurant; 2) Pathway in the restaurant; 3) Banana trees/herbs

EXCELLENT SERVICE

This is almost always raved by customers who visit the restaurant. As I was with Japanese friends, you will be met with the traditional Japanese courtesy of bowing. Attending waiters and waitresses are always smiling and accommodating. Your questions are answered and your requests met in a polite manner. Even Mr. Ueno visited the hut (thrice, maybe). I think this is Japanese way–ensuring that they provide quality service to its customers, as this was what I have noticed in the Japanese restaurants I’ve been to. (By the way, Mr. Ueno was really approachable and kind while I was interviewing him. And what was surprising is that he also had to excuse himself from the interview to bid goodbye the leaving customers in another hut.)

A pose with Mr. Ueno

VISIT EL SUENO!

El Sueño is located in Saac, Mactan in Lapu-lapu City and is open for lunch (11:30am to 1:30pm) and dinner (5:00pm to 12mn).

It was a rare and really good experience visiting El Sueno. Why not have the same experience when you visit Cebu?