IT ALL started with a young man’s desire to bring authentic Japanese food (with a hint of Filipino taste) and vinyl records come to life in one place – that is Ben-san, a unique place for food and music!
Inspired from his frequent visit to Tokyo’s booming record stores with bar scene, the young entrepreneur/owner, Bench Dizon, put up Ben-san (meaning Mr. Ben, his grandfather’s name) here in Angeles City last April 20.
“I’m a DJ by profession. I have a deep appreciation for vinyl music and I love Japanese food, so I kind of incorporated everything in Ben-san. Hoping to give that different dining experience to the Kapampangan foodies,” said Bench.
Vinyl will never go out of style it seems and that’s obvious the very moment one steps into Ben-san, and behold old-school turntables, shelves of records, and those retro speakers, old school cameras and TV sets.
All that look-and-wonder around whetted my appetite to Ben-san’s house specialties: Katsudon – breaded pork cutlet and egg rice bowl, Ebi Tempura – crispy and delicious shrimp dish, Kani salad, and Philadelphia roll. Aside from house specialties, there were bento boxes served complete from miso soup, vegetables to main course and fried rice. Set your senses ablaze with the ramen, yakiniku, teriyaki and teppanyaki selections.
“We have well-trained chefs and restaurant crew, all with intense work experience in Japanese cooking. Affordability and quality are always our mission,” said Bench.
Boasting a selection that covers jazz, world music, classic rock and most genres in between, Ben-san has vinyl for every taste and generation. This keenness to variety is also reflected in the food lineup and draft beer: Sapporo premium or black.
Opening day festivities were graced by AC Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, Raphaela P. Lazatin, Benjun and board member Fritzie Davod-Dizon, parents of Bench, family and friends.
Open daily 11am -2 pm and 5pm onwards, Ben-san is located at Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City (infront of Westfields International School). For more details follow Ben-San Facebook and Instagram page.
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Photos by Ning Cordero/Gerald Gloton
