EAT! Hamamatsu – The Geordie Gaijin

Me and Faith discovered Ate Mai’s Place during a food festival in Hamamatsu last year. Which is for the best because it’s is a blink-and-you-miss-it hole in the wall tucked around the corner from Shin-Hamamatsu station and Zaza City.

The place is run by Rogelio and his sister Myra who have lived in Hamamatsu for over twenty years and owning Ate Mai’s Place for nine of them.

Boasting a large selection of Filipino dishes, my favourite is the delicious traditional Filipino pork barbecue kebabs. Very similar to Japanese yakitori, it’s larger and coated in a sauce made of black sugar, ketchup, soy sauce and black pepper with the sugar causing the meat to caramelise on the grill.

At the suggestion of chef Rogelio, he offered us a serving of white vinegar to dip our kebabs into. A new concept to me, but it really compliments the sweet flavour of the meat and offers a different taste experience.

Although the pork barbecue and Special Goto (traditional Filipino rice porridge) is available everyday, the menu changes daily so there’s always something new to try!

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

1. Chicken Apritda (Tomato-based chicken stew)
2. Spicy Bopis (Spicy cassorole traditionally made with pig’s lung and/or heart)
3. Gatang Isda (Makerel stew made with coconut milk with garlic, ginger and onion)
4. Special Dinuguan (Pork stew)
5. Gatang Tilapia with okra (Tilapia stew coconut milk with garlic, ginger and onion)
6. Adobong Sitaw (Marinated pork or chicken with vegetables)

Ate Mai’s Place also serves frosty cold Asahi – honestly, they pull one of the best pints in Hamamatsu.
Especially after a long day of teaching in the brutal Japanese summer. They have a small selection of drinks including bottled beer.

The brother and sister team are super-friendly, and happy to chat away to you at the bar.
They also offer a バイキング (‘all you can eat’) special on Sundays in the upstairs area: five dishes and a drink for only ¥2000. (Available 12:00-1800)

A funny story though: me and Faith went one Saturday night to line our stomachs for an evening of shout-singing karaoke and were sitting at the bar next to the window.
Three drunk salarymen peered in at us, opened the door and slurred: “Are they hostesses?”
Rogelio quickly sent them packing, and the salarymen apologised profusely with lots of bowing.
Still, it’s nice to know I’ve still got it.

Ate Mai’s Place truly is a hidden gem in Hamamatsu.
As much as I want to be わがまま and keep it a secret – please give them a visit!!

Opening hours:
Weekdays 18:00-Late
Saturday 18:00-Late
Sunday 12:00-Late (バイキング 12:00-18:00 only)

ADDRESS: 〒430-0934 静岡県浜松市中区千歳町14
(3 minutes walk from Shin-Hamamatsu station.)

千歳町

~ Carla

DISCLAIMER: Opening hours are subject to change. Not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

There is absolutely no reason a huge German beer hall should exist in Hamamatsu, but here we are.

Mein Schloss (“My castle” in German) looks like a monstrosity from the outside, but it actually very aesthetic inside.

Lamb is a bit of a rarity in Japan, so me and my fellow Brit, Ama, went for the lamb chops. Lamb can sometimes be a little greasy, but it was succulent, juicy with no grisly fat.

However they only came with a few waffle fries so I recommend getting some extras on the side – we shares some french fries and onion rings, about ¥400 per plate.

Elizabeth went for a Flammkuchen which although originating in France, is somewhat a German twist on a traditional pizza. Although there is no tomato sauce or mozzarella, the pizza is instead topped with sour cream, onions and bacon.
I tried a slice and although very rich, it was nevertheless creamy and delicious due to the light flavours.

I inherited my dad’s love of craft beer, so was happy to learn there is a brewery on-site creatively called Hamamatsu Beer where they have a lager, a helles, a wheat beer and an ale.
George would be buzzing.

If you’re just looking for a drink, there is plenty of space in the beer garden with beer taps available for convenience. You can also order Hamamatsu Beer from their online shop.

My only criticism is although the live oom-pah band is very charming and fitting with the theme, they’re also pretty bloody loud with the sound echoing around the large beer hall so it can be difficult to chat to your group.

It’s also a bit of a splurge – my lamb chops, the sharer plates and a large beer cost around ¥3600, but they also do lunch specials and offers for parties and enkais. I also wish there was a set menu option.

However if you’re in the area and looking for something fun and different – look no further and give it a try.
Achtung, baby!

Opening hours:
Weekdays 11:00-14:00, 17:00-22:30 CLOSED MONDAYS.
Saturday 11:00-22:30
Sunday 11:00-22:30

Reservations available via phone or online.

ADDRESS: 〒430-8691　静岡県浜松市中区中央3丁目8-1
Approximately a 10 minute walk from Hamamatsu station.

~ Carla