Which one’s your favorite?
Ask anyone which cuisine they love the most, and more than half will probably say Japanese. It has the widest variety of specialties from fresh sashimi to ramen to tonkatsu and more. In this list, we give you your best restaurant options around Metro Manila, based on your favorite Japanese dish!
P.S. You’re probably going to want to try all of them, don’t stop.
For Sushi & Sashimi
Ogawa – The Fort Strip
Ogawa with the Chef Kiyoshi Ogawa (formerly from Senju of EDSA Shangri-la Hotel), offers a unique and authentic old-town Japanese dining experience serving a menu of fresh sashimi and sushi, as well as other Japanese favorites. READ MORE
Must try: Crazy Maki, Dragon Roll
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2/F Fort Strip, The Fort Entertainment Center, 5th Ave cor 28th St, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 886-4994
Also try:
Haru, Shinsen, ROKU, Fukudaya and Kessaku
For Japanese Hotpot
Shaburi – Uptown Mall
Shaburi is an all-you-can-eat healthy Japanese shabu-shabu from Japan that offers unlimited premium meats, fresh seafood, organic vegetables and a buffet of appetizers and other bites. READ MORE
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Level 4, Uptown Place Mall, 36th St. cor. 9th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 805-2932
Also try:
Ganso-Shabuway, Nikuya Charcoal Grill & Shabu-Shabu
For Tempura
Asakusa: Home of Tempura – The Grove
Asakusa (pronounced as ah-sahk-sa) is a homegrown Japanese restaurant specializing in all kinds of tempura, from shrimp to veggies to uni. Get their value-for-money Emperor Set (biggest tempura set they have) or build-your-own. READ MORE
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Grove Retail Row, Ortigas Ave, C5, Ugong,Pasig
(02) 941-0157
For Yakitori
Tori Ichi Yakitori Bar – Net Quad BGC
Tori Ichi is a premium yakitori bar hailing originally from Kyoto, specializing in seasoned grilled meats on skewers. Must try’s include the Hasami, Bacon Mochi (in photo), Butabara Karashi, and Momomi Mentaiko.
Related Post: 15 Most Favorite Japanese Restaurants for Yakitori in Manila
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G/F Net Quad Bldg., 31st St cor 4th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(0917) 876-2397
For Japanese-Peruvian Cuisine
Nikkei – Legaspi Village
Nikkei is the first Peruvian-Japanese sushi bar in Manila headed by Argentinian Chef Christian Cejas. “Nikkei” is a term that describes Peruvian cuisine culturally inspired by the Japanese; it is a popular new cuisine in Europe. READ MORE
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Frabelle Business Center, Unit GO3, 111 Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati
(02) 880-0231
For Gyoza
Osaka Ohsho – SM Megamall
Osaka Ohsho is a Japanese gyoza specialist and a popular restaurant serving unique Japanese favorites with a twist like their bestselling Truffle Gyoza, and a whole menu of new items like Nori Nachos, Chicken Truffle-yaki, Matcha Butter Tonkatsu and more.
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3/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
(02) 631-7494
For Tonkatsu
Maisen – various branches
Maisen, franchised by Bench group, is one of Japan’s finest tonkatsu restaurants. It offers various tonkatsu sets including its bestselling Kurobuta Tenderloin Katsu, served with their signature sweet and spicy Kurobuta sauce.
Also read: 10 Best Places to Get Katsu in Manila
Also try:
Saboten
For Aburi (torched sushi)
Aburi – Alabang
From the team that brought us Relish and Romulo Cafe, Aburi offers modern Japanese cuisine specializing in aburi or “torched” sushi, chirashi bowls and other unique dishes. Try their Salmon Aburi, US Beef Gyudon Bowl and Wagyu Cubes. READ MORE
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2/F Madison Galeries, Don Jesus Boulevard, Alabang Hills, Cupang, Muntinlupa
(02) 776-1474
For Okonomiyaki
Dohtonbori – various branches
Dohtonbori, from Tokyo, is Japan’s #1 okonomiyaki restaurant chain that offers the first cook-your-own okonomiyaki experience to Manila. Top recommended dishes include the Deluxe Okonomiyaki, Kiwami Ultimate Cheese Okonomiyaki, Quattro Formaggi pizza, and their premium yakiniku. READ MORE
Related Post: Top 10 Most Booked Restaurants in Manila for 2016
For Steaks and Japanese BBQ
Buta+Wagyu – SM Aura
Owned by the Villarica family, Buta + Wagyu is a Japanese Wagyu steakhouse serving only the most authentic and high quality beef and homegrown organic pork. Must try’s are the Japanese Wagyu Sushi, Steamed Omi Wagyu Sirloin, A5 Omi Wagyu Ribeye, and their gyoza!
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5/F SM Aura, 26th St cor McKinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 946-7262
Also try:
Gyu Kaku
For Teppanyaki
WAFU – Greenhills
WAFU is a modern Japanese restaurant helmed by the new executive chef, Chef Nobuyoshi Onishii, former Sushi Master from the renowned Midori Sushi in Japan. It is most known for its value-for-money all-you-can-eat teppanyaki nights, great ambiance and interiors.
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N. Western St, Greenhills Shopping Center, Greenhills, San Juan
(02) 570-3242
For Ramen
Butamaru – Alabang
Butamaru is known to serve authentic Japanese ramen that specializes in the pork flavor as to which ‘buta’ means ‘pig’. In Fukuoka, Chef Jerome discovered a way to prepare and serve “melt-in-your-mouth” pork chashu, while his visit to Hakata inspired Butamaru’s 16-hour tonkotsu broth. Finally, in Oita was where he learned the art of noodles from Master Artisan Sugimura, a veteran with 40 years of noodle-making experience under his belt. READ MORE
Insider tip: Order the off-menu hane gyoza, made with cheese and lightly fried until the edges of each piece connect to one another. P.S. It’s not always available though, so good luck!
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CE405 Westgate Center Commerce Ave, Alabang, Muntinlupa
(02) 887-4255
For Desserts
Le Petit Souffle – various branches
Le Petit Souffle is a French and Japanese-inspired cafe from the Tasteless Group (of Hole in the Wall, Scout’s Honor, Bad Bird, Wrong Ramen, etc). They serve modern dishes crafted with flavors and precision of Japanese and French cuisines.
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4/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati
(02) 718-5681
Which of these Japanese restaurants are you most excited to try? Book a table through Booky to avail P500 discount on your total bill. You can even get a free dessert in the end just by “submitting feedback” in the app.
Sign up to Booky today to receive your first P1,000 discount credits, which you can use at any of the restaurants listed above. Happy dining!