Customers are in for a whole new Japanese dining experience at Go Bento. Sporting a fresh look, it re-opened this February after months of renovation in its original location at The Spa Building in Bonifacio High Street, BGC. This fast casual 90-seater restaurant offers delicious and authentic Japanese food served mostly in bento boxes with a more vibrant, “Tokyo-Metro” vibe.
“When we were planning on how to redesign Go Bento, I explored Japan to study Japanese restaurants and discovered that they either imbibe a traditional restaurant concept or focus on the J-Pop, Manga genre,” said Scott Tan, the managing Director of Scottland Food Group, Inc., the same company that successfully launched Bonchon in the Philippines.
“One day, I was in a Tokyo train station and I realized that our Go Bento concept would work well with a metro train station vibe,” Tan explained. This prompted him to adapt the feel of Tokyo’s train station – the red tiles, the signages, the railings and other design aspects as the main features of the restaurant. “This blueprint goes well with our bento boxes, bentos being a huge part of Japanese people’s culture and heritage, just as train stations are. “They are imbedded in the culinary DNA of the working people. They grab a bento box before going to work, on their way home and anytime they want to eat a quick and complete meal. I really wanted to create that feeling and the value that Japanese people have when it comes to their food.”
Thus, once customers step into Go Bento, especially those who have been to Japan, they would sense the perfect synergy between the interiors and the dishes.
What’s in the box?
Bento boxes are a cultural icon of Japanese food. Go Bento takes this much-loved way of serving dishes to the Philippines that offer much in terms of value.
If you are a Go Bento newbie, the Bento boxes (with miso soup, vegetables and a drink) are a must-try. Choose from these sets- Beef Misono, Chicken/Pork Katsu, Tempura, Chicken Teriyaki, Yakitori, Ebi Katsu, Karaage, and Chicken/Pork Katsu Curry. Then there’s the one-piece and two-piece Chicken Bento and Salmon Teriyaki.
Customize your meals and go big with the Big Bento which consists of two mains, miso soup, a side dish, veggies and Japanese rice. Start by choosing your first main (Beef Misono, Chicken or Pork Katsu, Karaage or Mixed Tempura); your second main (Beef Misono, Chicken Teriyaki, or Chicken Yakitori) and your side dish (Gyoza or California Maki) . Now, you’re all set to post your personalized #BOTD (Bento of the Day) and enjoy.
The selections don’t end there as Go Bento boasts of their Donburi as well (Oyakodon, Yakitoridon, Gyudon,, Ebi Katsudon and Beef Misono). A la carte dishes include crowd favorites- Umami Fried Chicken, Karaage-style Chicken, Chicken or Pork Tonkotsu, Spicy Karaage Ramen, and Sukiyaki. Other items worth trying are Chicken Mango Salad, Japanese Hambagu, Potato Takoyaki and Matcha Soft Serve. Go Bento also has Party Platters to Go.
“Quality and authenticity are important to us. That’s why we attach a lot of importance to small things. Customers are more discerning now. For example, we want our shrimp to have the perfect texture, we use fresh breading for our katsu and I insist on serving only Japanese rice. We found the sweet spot between very good quality and price so that our food remains value for money. We want that our bento box to be at par with Japanese casual dining restaurants, but always at pocket-friendly prices,” Tan explained.
In leading and in growing Go Bento, he draws from his years of experience with Bonchon, his first food venture, and from listening to the pulse of his customers.
“While we saw the local market’s growing love for authentic Japanese food at great value, there were not too many Japanese restaurants offering these. We adjusted and tailored-fit Go Bento’s concept to make them of high-quality, complete and affordable,” he expounded.
On the right track
After spending 10 years in the USA working in finance, Tan came home to pursue his love for food. “I particularly love Korean and Japanese cuisines because of their umami flavor- the amazing balance of sweet, spicy, salty,” he shared.
Go Bento is ready to expand their footprint in the Philippines with plans to open 10 company-operated branches in Metro Manila this year. Franchising is in the drawing board and will be launched at the appropriate time.
As he works closely with the company’s R&D, Tan brings to Go Bento his passion for food and his personal mantra, “If I don’t eat it, I won’t serve it. I serve only what I love to eat”.
Rediscover a new and more enjoyable dining experience at Go Bento, anchored on authentic and value for money Japanese food amidst a Japanese train station flair.
