Hapadog: Japanese Style Hotdogs

There's a newly opened store at the SM North EDSA Sky Garden that offers Japanese style hotdogs.  It's called Hapadog.  I passed by it last night and decided to take out something from what they offer.  I was given the menu but since it is a new store, I didn't know what to get.

Finally, the server told me that their bestseller is the Temp-tation.  The menu described it as a hotdog cooked like a tempura -- covered in batter and deep fried.  It is then topped with tempura sauce and the trimmings that come with the food that inspired it.  

After giving my order, a girl sitting in one corner offered me a seat and asked me if I wanted something to drink.  I said I'm fine and I'll just sit and wait for my hotdog.

While waiting for  my order, I can't help but notice the sign at the counter that says something like, "Thank you for patiently waiting."  I prepared myself to wait really long for this and realized why the girl asked me if I wanted something to drink!

Thankfully, I didn't have to wait that long for my hotdog to arrive.  It was given to me in a small black rectangular box.  My first thought was whether that was their version of a bento box.  Written in green on the side was the word Hapadog and a definition of what Hapa is.  It was something like: Hapa (adj.) a pacific islander blah blah... 

Anyway after giving me the box, the server said, "That will be 175 pesos, sir." I paid for the hotdog and went home to eat my Temp-tation.

The Temp-tation hotdog fitted the description on the menu.  I took a bite of it and got the first taste of tempura sauce: sweet and tangy.  It was also crispy because of the batter that covered it.  After a few bites however, it tasted just like any hotdog in a bun.  Perhaps because the bun tasted ordinary and although the hotdog was firm and juicy, it still tasted like something I can buy from a deli.

While the concept of dressing up a hotdog "Japanese-style" is cool and unique, what will keep the crowds away from this are the prices.  I checked the prices in the menu and the lowest priced item was at 155.  One can buy a "hap-a-dog" or half bun at 85 pesos but I think it will be good for 2 to 3 bites only.

I only tried one item though.  So I will limit my post on the temp-tation.  Did I like it?  I like hotdogs but the Temp-tation is a very expensive hotdog.  It's a novelty but I am not sure what Hapadog's target market is.  As I've said earlier, their prices will be a big factor.