When Puerto Princesa Met Tokyo: My Shrimp Tempura Love Story

Picture this: You're wandering through SM Mall in Puerto Princesa, probably still sandy from your underground river adventure, when suddenly you spot it—a red and white sign that screams "TOKYO TOKYO" like it's trying to teleport you straight to Japan. Plot twist: you're still very much in Palawan, but your taste buds are about to take a first-class flight to flavor town.

Now, I'll be honest. Before this fateful encounter, my relationship with Japanese food was about as shallow as a kiddie pool. Sure, I'd seen sushi in movies and nodded knowingly when people mentioned "authentic Japanese cuisine," but deep down, I was basically a Japanese food virgin. Enter Tokyo Tokyo—my gateway drug to the wonderful world of Rising Sun snacks.

The Great Tempura Awakening

Walking into Tokyo Tokyo felt like stepping into a friendly neighborhood spot that somehow transported familiar Japanese comfort food to the heart of Puerto Princesa. The menu stared back at me with its colorful pictures, and there it was—shrimp tempura—looking absolutely irresistible in all its golden, crispy glory.

"First time trying tempura?" I whispered to myself, channeling my inner food adventurer. Sometimes you just have to dive headfirst into the delicious unknown, right?

When that plate arrived, I swear it was like meeting your soulmate but in food form. Those perfectly battered shrimp sat there looking so photogenic, I almost felt guilty about destroying them. Almost. The golden coating was so light and crispy, it practically whispered sweet nothings to my hungry soul.

The Soy Sauce Symphony

Here's where things got real. That little dish of soy sauce wasn't just a condiment—it was the conductor of this entire flavor orchestra. One dip, one bite, and BOOM—my taste buds threw a parade. The salty, umami-rich sauce paired with that crispy, tender shrimp was like discovering fire all over again, except way more delicious and with zero risk of burning down your cave.

The crunch was everything. You know that satisfying sound when you bite into something perfectly fried? It was like ASMR for food lovers. Each piece delivered that magical contrast—crispy exterior giving way to sweet, succulent shrimp that practically melted in my mouth.

Tourist Life Lesson #847

Sometimes the best travel experiences aren't found on postcards or Instagram-worthy beaches (though Palawan has plenty of those). Sometimes they're hiding in plain sight at your local mall, wrapped in tempura batter and served with a smile.

Tokyo Tokyo didn't just feed my body—it opened my mind to a whole new world of flavors. Who knew that a simple plate of shrimp tempura could turn a regular mall trip into a genuine food revelation?

So here's to Tokyo Tokyo in Puerto Princesa: thank you for being my delicious introduction to Japanese cuisine. My taste buds will never be the same, and honestly, I'm perfectly okay with that addiction.

Next stop: exploring their entire menu. This is just the beginning of my beautiful friendship with Japanese comfort food.

NEAL LLOYD