I passed by Yoshinoya last month and saw their Yoshikido Summer Workshop poster. I haven’t enrolled Z in any summer workshops for kids so my husband and I have decided to give it a go.

The Yoshikido summer workshop is open for kids 4-10 years old. Registration fee is PhP 800 for a 5-day workshop (3 hours per day). The registration fee is inclusive of uniform, meals, craft materials, and graduation fee. Week 1 (April 6-10) and Week 2 (April 13-17) have passed already, but you can still enroll your child for Week 3 (20-24). Graduation is on May 20.

Yoshinoya is one of my favorite Japanese fast food chains since college. Kung may Chicken Joy ang Jollibee at may Happy Meal ang McDo, may Beef Bowl naman ang Yoshinoya.

I asked for a registration form at Yoshinoya SM City North EDSA branch. I filled out the form with all the details needed and included a 2×2 photo of Z. After paying the reg fee, his body measurements were taken for the uniform.

One day before the workshop, they informed me through text that his uniform is ready to be picked up at their branch.

Yoshikido Day 1

My son wasn’t wearing his complete uniform because I wasn’t informed about the pants (so naka-short pants siya, pero hindi naman sila strict with it so okay lang). The staff gave the kiddos time cards to punch before and after their shift. Feel na feel talaga ang pagiging crew!

They started with the orientation, mostly about the restaurant and the workshop itself. The Yoshikidos then introduced themselves one by one.

The setting was informal, so the kids were all at ease. They were told that their activities would revolve around a single theme, which is Japanese culture, so for the following days they would be discovering more about Japanese food & preparation and Japanese arts & crafts.

Their first activity was learning how to greet customers the Japanese way — Irasshaimase, Konichiwa, Arigatou Gozaimasu, and the likes. Parang tongue twister lang sa anak ko, so when we got home we practiced the greetings so he’d be ready the next day.

They were given their pay checks (agad! if only it’s true in real life LOL) to exchange for meals. They have 3 meal choices (Tempura, Beef, and Chicken Rice Bowls) and 3 drinks to choose from (Apple, Green, and Red Iced Tea). For day 1, Z requested for Tempura.

Uni-Pak Mackerel Cheesy Omelette Recipe for Kids

After their meal time, they were asked to give out flyers in front of the store. My son was hesitant the whole time but I’m happy that he was able to give out all the flyers assigned to him.

After giving out flyers, they all went back inside for the Coffee Jelly activity. The jelly was already set, and all they have to do is put whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top. I  knew that my son’s fine motor skills has yet to be improved because he was having a hard time squeezing out the whipped cream. After the activity, they chowed down their own coffee jellies. Burp!

They were also taught how to fulfill orders at the beverage station. They would be informed if an order needs regular or large size, then they have to fill the tumblers with apple, green, or red tea. My son is quite short for his age, so he had to tiptoe his way up to get/serve drinks.

The last activity they had on that day was fan making. They were given fan templates to color and cut, then they would paste the popsicle sticks at the back to serve as handles.

Day 1’s visitors were Tita J and Tito P, plus Daddy R. Thanks for the green tea ice cream J & P! 🙂

Yoshikido Day 2

Z started making friends. At least his social skills were improving! 🙂 And his uniform’s complete — hair net, yoshikido head gear, yoshikido shirt, yoshikido apron, undershirt, black pants, black socks, and black shoes.

They began the workshop learning Japanese words (numbers and colors). Then they moved to the beverage station. As usual, because my son’s smaller than the other boys, lagi siyang naaagawan ng gagawin. Some kids can become really insistent. But it was okay. I let Z sort out these kinds of situations by himself. I only enter the scene whenever I hear him shouting.

So they worked with coffee jellies again, only this time they had to offer/sell (coffee jellies) them to customers. Of course, marami sa kanila ang napilitan kasi mga cute ang nag-aalok haha. And as usual, my son was too shy to even open his mouth in front of strangers, so he was assisted by one staff member. I overheard a customer saying, “Gusto ko muna marinig magsalita bago ako bumili,” then my son uttered something. Z soon emptied his tray so I was one happy mommy afterwards!

They got tired (I think!) of carrying trays, sakto naman it was their meal time na. I told Z to try another dish (beef or chicken), but he insisted on getting tempura.

When meal time’s over, they prepared banana split. Again, Z could hardly squeeze the chocolate syrup out of its container… But he enjoyed putting rainbow sprinkles and marshmallows on his dessert. They feasted on their banana split creations din.

Their last activity for the day was helmet making. They were asked to make Japanese-like heads/hairstyle, using balloons as molds/holders. They pasted together pieces of paper to make the hair. They also worked by twos, and from my observation, Z did a great job. He got an A++ (from me!) for teamwork!

Day 2’s visitors were Ate L and Bibons (my youngest), plus Tito R.

Yoshikido Day 3

Flyers again. I saw my son struggle as he competed with the bigger, more demanding boys. He experienced the simplest form of rejection by participating in this activity, and I felt half-pity and half-proud. Z liked to play safe, so he didn’t want to extend his arms fully. Anyway, I’ve learned more about his personality through this simple exercise. I also felt that his confidence shot up an inch. 🙂

Parents and guardians aren’t allowed to enter the kitchen premises (papasok din sana ko haha pasaway!) so I waited while they make kani salad. Z is a picky-eater but he finished his kani salad. During meal time, tempura na naman ang inorder, tsk. He even asked me to make tempura at home. It’s a challenge for me because I haven’t tried cooking it even once, hehe.

Then they moved on to another food preparation activity – apple dessert. It was similar to the banana split, apple nga lang. Then after that they continued their activity the day before — Japanese heads (with balloons). As you can see in the photos below, the heads were painted black already. So parang heads ng mga sumo wrestlers siya. I think they would be used during their graduation on May.

Day 3’s visitor was my tween sister. We left the restaurant once or twice to reserve a birthday cake for Bibons. We both went hungry so I ordered Yoshi Chicken for her, and Beef Ramen for moi.

Yoshikido Day 4

They were taken into the kitchen again, then Z told me they “cooked” something. I noticed that they have something beside their meals. Parang buko salad.

Their art activity for Day 3 was doll making. They re-created themselves using a foam cup, round styropor, toothpicks, pens, and colored papers. Z isn’t artistic at all so I want him to do more craft projects.

I went out for two quick trips — first to JCO Donuts, and next to pick-up Bibons’ birthday cake. I was tempted to try JCO’s White Choco Frappe and it was sooooo good!

When I returned, they were already at the table, eating a snack that they prepared — maki sandwich.

Yoshikido Day 5

My brother, who’s busy completing his thesis, wasn’t able to visit so nag-take na lang ng picture sa house.

They were like little Japanese chefs when they prepared California maki (Z’s favorite). And for the fifth time, he ordered tempura for his meal. Nobody can ever shake his decision LOL.

They had two art activities for the last hour: stamping and origami. He was really having fun the whole time.

Day 5’s visitors were Lolo B and Lola O, plus Daddy R.

Here are my thoughts about our Yoshikido experience:

• I liked the informal/natural approach of the staff/trainers, both good and bad. Z was given a taste of reality inside food establishments. Yung ibang parents magagalit kapag napagsabihan yung mga anak nila. But I think children also need to learn how to follow and respect other [voices of] authority as well. 
• The PhP 800 is worth it. Sa meals and snacks pa lang nila, sulit na. 🙂
• I suggest that Yoshinoya only accept pre-schoolers and not toddlers. There was this one little boy na ka-batch ng anak ko. He’s only 3 years old and he gave the staff a difficult time. He’s uncontrollable, and he even “bullied” (pushed, punched, etc.) my son not once, not twice, but many times.  Eh magka-height lang halos sila. Well, kids are like that naman, they choose to play with their “ka-level” or “ka-age”. I’m not blaming the kid, I didn’t even complain about how he constantly bullies my son throughout the week. I’m just worried about other kids, too. Maybe Yoshinoya should consider giving the slots only to pre-schoolers (4 or 5 years old) and above. And for parents, please enroll your children in workshops that are suitable for their age and behavior.
• I’m glad that my son learned a lot of valuable skills during the workshop — life skills, communication skills, social skills, art skills, and culinary skills. He also learned the significance of leadership and teamwork. I have more to mention, but putting in a nutshell, Z leveled-up!
• The only thing I was worried about is his temper, so I made sure that I am there to remind him to keep calm and lower his voice.
• There should be at least one parent/guardian to stay with your child. O kung iiwanan, make sure na ibibilin sa staff na huwag palalabasin ng establishment, at walang ibang pwedeng sumundo sa bata. Anything can happen nowadays, so always be vigilant.
• Sana may free meal din ang parent. Haha just kidding. 🙂

So I think it’s a wrap! Thank you to the staff of Yoshinoya SM City North EDSA for such a fun-filled workshop! 🙂

Published: 2015-04-17 14:25:35