Toki Q in San Juan, The First Rotating Barbecue in the Philippines

I have mentioned here on my blog several times before how I adore San Juan City because of the numbers of restaurants sprouting everywhere. If you are a foodie like me, you know how things like these matters. New addition to what I consider foodie haven in the metro is Toki Q. Boasting of being the first Rotating BBQ Grill food spot here in the Philippines, Toki Q is a fast served yakitori restaurant one should not miss.

While Yakitori is defined as grilled bite-sized marinated chicken pieces on skewers that is of Japanese origin, Toki Q also offers other skewered meat which can be grilled on the rotating bbq griller. That is what I have found out when Zodio Philippines invited me to try and see what Toki Q is all about.

Located right smack in the corner of Wilsons and P.Guevarra St. in San Juan City, Toki Q occupies a small place which can accommodate around 15 diners. Although small, with its dominant colors of red and black, the place exudes a vibrant feel which I find rather inviting.

The menu is pretty straight forward. There are Chicken Ball, Chicken Skin, Chicken Fillet, Chicken Fillet with Leeks, and Chicken Wings. If you are not into chicken, you can opt for Pork Ball, Pork Belly which they call Toronto Pork, Toronto Pork with Leeks, and Asparagus Wrapped Pork instead. These goodies you can order as combo meals or ala cart. Aside from yakitori choices there are other items on the menu that diners can enjoy such as Kara-age, Toki-BBQ Corn, Toki Soup, Quail Eggs, and more.

Aside from the fact that the rotating bbq grill is very entertaining to watch for someone who haven't seen anything like it before (read: me) good thing about this machine is that the juice from the meat does not fall directly into the grill as it cooks, instead, the juice in all its flavorful glory graces the skewered meat since it is clipped on the machine vertically.

This impressive rotating grilling machine is custom made abroad and cannot be found anywhere here in the Philippines.

During my visit, I was able to try their Combo Meal #3 which includes Chicken Ball, Toronto Pork, Chicken Wings, Chicken Fillet, and Unlimited Rice. Priced at Php 125, you can upgrade any combo meals for an additional Php 39 and have a serving of Miso Soup and a regular drink.

While I find everything on the combo impressive, it's the Toronto Pork and the Chicken Fillet I find suitable for my liking. From the texture to the flavor, these two I would highly recommend. The Chicken Wings are equally palatable but I guess it is something I would enjoy eating in the privacy of my home since it's kind of messy to eat. The meat are already flavorful in itself but the special Toki sauce they use can take these skewered goodies a notch higher.

I also tried the Asparagus Wrapped Pork and the Chicken Skin which are both good. I am not big on Asparagus unless it's used as a filling to my ravioli, but the bacon-like pork where it was wrapped tasted remarkably good. I am used to eating downright crispy chicken skin in our house because well, I am a sinner that way. Yet, it didn't disappoint me that Toki Q's version isn't as crispy because when it comes to flavor, it's a sure winner.

Another item on the menu which screams goodness in every bite is Kara-age. It's a bite sized fillets of chicken deep-fried and smothered with special sauce. First time I had it I really didn't noticed how good it was, but when my friend brought home some, I literally didn't stop popping it into my mouth until everything was finished. It is a tad addicting because it is so tender and flavorful you just simply cannot stop after a couple of pieces.

I couldn't think of any other way to end a delightful meal at Toki Q than having luscious ice cream-filled mochi balls. I've tried the Black Sesame and the Barako flavor and both I deem as beautiful meal-ender. They also carries Schlurp milk teas which I find surprisingly good.

Toki Q is one of the restaurants I would definitely visit again not just because it is just a stone's throw away from where I reside but because I am impressed with their food. It is something that I would go to whenever I am craving for some yakitori and when an ill bout of appetite requires unlimited rice. I love the fact that they are very affordable and yet the quality of food isn't compromised at all.