Japanese Restaurants in Metro Manila

The mention of Japanese food may at first seem daunting. What with the thoughts of raw fish and high prices stereotypically linked to this kind of cuisine. But over the years, Japanese food has definitely become more accessible and budget friendly and is currently a popular choice for get-togethers as well as special occasions.

When thinking of Japanese food, most minds would generally default to sushi, which is cooked rice with other ingredients including vegetables, fruit, and usually raw fish. This stereotype is not far off the mark since Japan’s location and climate have gifted it with plenty of fresh seafood and it is understandable why they would consume it in its most unadulterated state – raw. You can get your sushi fix at any or all of the restaurants in Little Tokyo in Makati, lovingly dubbed as such for the many Japanese food establishments and shops that have popped up there. 

If raw fish is not your thing, you could opt for the equally popular ramen. Establishments like Kenji Tei give patrons an authentic taste of Japanese ramen. Choose from the many steaming soy, miso, and salt based broths or switch it up with a plate of hiyashi chuka or cold ramen.

Most Japanese restaurants have donburi sections on their menus, which is a bowl of rice with your choice of toppings. As such, it appeals well to rice-loving Filipinos. The more popular of these rice bowls would have to be katsudon, or Japanese breaded pork chops and rice, and tempuradon, or deep-fried seafood with vegetables and rice, which you can find at most Japanese restaurants including the popular Teriyaki Boy. Fast food goers can also order a more affordable version of their favorite donburi at any branch of Tokyo Tokyo. For heftier appetites, bento boxes add side dishes and occasionally dessert to the rice meal.

Tanabe at the Mall of Asia has an extensive nabemono or hot pot menu. Set platters of vegetables, fresh seafood and prime meats are available, or guests may also customize by ordering additional portions to be cooked tableside. While you wait for the soup to cook, browse though their appetizer menu and try a bit of uniyaki – grilled sea urchin, or gyu tataki – rare beef in shoyu sauce.

Japanese buffets are also popular in the Metro and give guests the option to try a little bit of everything. Familiar names like Saisaki and Zensho have tables lined with sushi, Japanese salads, rice, noodles, meats and seafood. The teppanyaki stations set the mood as you watch chefs cook your chosen cuts of Japanese beef, pork and chicken. Newer restaurants like Yakimix have a buffet of cooked dishes as well as marinated raw items which guests may cook themselves on the yakiniku grills installed in the tables.

So treat your senses to a feast. Head to a Japaneserestaurant near you and have your favorite Japanese dish or even try something new.