Interrupted by the lockdown, the seaside hub IL Corso is fast filling up with interesting food spots. Check out the fourth in our list — the Japanese restaurant called Ayame.

Photography PABLO QUIZA

Ayame Seaside Tale’s warmly lit interiors with Japanese accents and sleek wooden furniture is inviting and visually appealing. But the real treat is the menu of exciting Japanese dishes on offer. Right along the IL Corso esplanade and fronting the bustling Cebu Strait, Ayame Seaside Tales opens its doors to admit patrons to its dainty interiors. Japanese murals, patches of Japanese gardens, polished wooden surfaces, and a seaside ambience with unobstructed views of the imposing CCLEX make for quite the destination. But Ayame wows with more than just aesthetics. Japanese cuisine is famed for its freshness, flavor, artistry, and even cleanliness.

In this, Ayame sticks to tradition, ensuring that all of its delicately prepared food matches, and then exceeds, expectations. There is a smattering of dishes to choose from, from the ubiquitous but always delicious Ebi Tempura to the more obscure but nonetheless exciting Unagi Sushi. For the noodle enthusiasts, Ayame has two inspired dishes: it is hard to choose between the warm and filling Shoyu Ramen or the delectable Soba Noodles. In an innovative break from tradition, Ayame also offers the Cebu Maki, a comforting take on salmon sushi with a distinct flair thanks to the Cebuano mango fruit in use.

The entire menu is modern but deeply conscious of its traditional roots, and the food is meticulously prepared with great attention to detail. If you are hankering for a classed-up Japanese dinner complete with spectacular views by the sea, it is hard to go wrong with a trip to Ayame Seaside Tales. As the restaurant’s name implies, your time there is sure to become a tale worth telling. 

Open: Monday-Sunday | 11:00am-9:00pm

Mobile No. (+63) 991.452.5888

Address: I Canali, IL Corso Mall, South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City

www.ayamejapaneseresto.com | FB: /AYAME Japanese Restaurant | IG: @ayamejapaneseresto

ACCESSIBILITY: At the back of IL Corso Mall facing the sea. Accessible to both public and private transport. Available park spaces outside the mall parking area.