Don’t be surprised when you visit the newly reopened Yoshinoya branch in SM Megamall. It opened a little more than a week ago as the 4th branch in the Philippines to have its interiors remodeled seemingly catering to the younger market segment.

Yoshinoya SM Megamall Reopens

Best known for its Japanese Gyudon Beef Bowl, Yoshinoya went away from the traditional Japanese feel of wood and classic bowls into a more hip orange-themed look.

The upgraded design highlighted the “bull horn” logo shaped as “Y” and invented by Yoshinoya’s Mizuho Matsuda way back since 1899. Did you know that the surrounding rope around the horn represents “Yokozuna” referring to the ranking winner in a Japanese wrestling match? Moreover, the rope is made with 27 rice grains while the whole logo means “best beef bowls.”

Launches and openings, specially for a restaurant, is of course not complete with out served food. So here are some of the Yoshinoya specialties we got to try on their opening day:

Beef Gyudon Rice with Vegetables + Red Iced Tea

Guest Celebrity Ricardo Zepeda graces the Yoshinoya Megamall Opening

Yoshinoya Orange Wall of Bowls

Yoshinoya Maki-Siomai-dessert sampler platter 

As good as the food we had, on the other hand, I missed the more conservative premium Japanese ambiance, but that may be just me.

Freshly-cooked Tempura with sauce

Yoshinoya Megamall had its look since way back in 2003 when it first opened. I guess it was time for a change. And with it, the evolution to adapt to the new market must be what the people behind Yoshinoya have in mind.

As long as the food quality does not change, I know we will continue to love the delicious recipe of  beef and rice Gyudon we have grown up with in Yoshinoya SM Megamall. By October, Yoshinoya Delivery will have the number 288-2888! They have branches in Robinsons Galleria, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM Manila, and Glorietta 1.

If you have seen my physical stature or know me personally, you wouldn’t guess that I do join food eating contests.

Burger Avenue Hamburgers

With my average body built, you would be surprised that I have joined a Hamburger-eating challenge and a Hotdog-Eating contest before.

Yoshinoya SM Megamall

I was off by 30 seconds from Burger Avenue‘s 5-minute Hamburger-eating challenge. It was a big 3-patty 1 pounder burger of pure beef. I also had the eating dare on video.

On the other hand, I somehow fared painstakingly well enough with 7-Eleven’s Hotdog-Eating contest. Although it was not good enough for the semi-finals, I was able to finish 5 jumbo hotdogs with 5 big buns and a large cup of iced tea in 5 minutes and 33 seconds..

And now, we’re upto a new challenge – Yoshinoya‘s Blogger’s Beef Gyudon Eating Contest.

The mechanics for registered participants from Boy-Kuripot blog states that…..

Yoshinoya Beef Gyudon

The bloggers should be at Yoshinoya Megamall on May 5, 2010 6PM to participate in The Beef Gyudon Eating Contest (Late comers will not be allowed to participate)

At the event, bloggers will be asked to eat as much Beef Gyudon Bowls they can within two (2) minutes

Bloggers will race to finish the most number of Beef Gyudon Bowls in two (2) minutes using a pair of chopsticks

Each time a bowl is finished, the blogger has to turn the bowl upside down. After two (2) minutes has elapsed, all bloggers will stop eating and stick out their tongue.

The blogger who ate the most number of Beef Gyudon Bowls will be declared the winner

In case of a tie, there will be tie breaking round. Bloggers will race to finish one regular beef bowl and the fastest will be declared as the winner

Yoshinoya Beef Bowl (Gyudon)

So if you happen to be in SM Megamall building A tomorrow, do pass by Yoshinoya at around 6pm and take a peek on NomNom‘s quest to be the king of Yoshinoya Beef Gyudon Bowls. And yes, I’d be starving myself off lunch in preparation for the Yoshinoya Blogger’s Beef Bowl Eating Contest tomorrow night 🙂

Following the successful first Food Foto Fiesta in NomNom Club featuring Serye, Yoshinoya now follows it up with its yummy servings.

From the well-loved Beef Bowls to Yoshinoya’s Jumbo Plates, these photos will satisfy your eyes and make your stomachs grumble. 🙂 The three side dishes and 3 Jumbo Plates will make you drivel the Japanese style. 🙂

3 Side Dishes

Yoshinoya Mixed Tempura

Yoshinoya Gyoza

Kani Shu Mai

3 Jumbo Plates

Gyudon Chicken Teriyaki

Gyudon Beef Yakiniku

Gyudon Ebi Tempura

3 Yoshinoya Jumbo Plates all together now. 🙂

Yoshinoya has branches in Parksquare 1, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, SM North EDSA, Greenhills, SM Mall of Asia, and Sta. Lucia.