Japan is known for its interesting cuisine, with delicate flavors and meticulous preparations. While most of us know of sushi and ramen, these barely scratch the surface of this wide-ranging cuisine.
If you want to discover more Japanese dishes, expand your palate with this list of Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila specializing in different dishes. Don’t worry – we made sure these won’t break the bank.
Sushi Shokunin Special.
Image credit: @sushishokuninbychefmigs
There are plenty of places to get sushi in the metro. But for an underrated sushi spot you should try, check out Sushi Shokunin in Mother Ignacia, Quezon City.
This Japanese restaurant offers a variety of sushi, nigiri, and sashimi and they all come in sets as well. Their Sushi Shokunin Special (P449, ~USD8.21) is highly recommended by patrons. It consists of sushi with unagi (eel), kanikama (immitation crab meat), prawn tempura, and tobiko (flying fish roe), topped with teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo.
Besides offering good noms, this quaint sushi spot’s interior design will also remind you of Japanese neighborhood restaurants.
Address: The Ignacia Place Centre, 62 Sgt. Esguerra cor. Mother Ignacia Ave, South Triangle, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 0967 243 3718
Sushi Shokunin’s Facebook | Instagram
Okonomigyoza.
Image credit: @juanballecer
Wabi Sabi Noodle House offers vegetarian and vegan Japanese dishes for an affordable price.
It serves a variety of ramen (from P200, ~USD3.38) made with veggie broth and topped with veggies and mock meat.
You also shouldn’t miss out on their vegetarian sides. These include mushroom shumai (steamed dumplings), okonomigyoza (a combination of dumplings and savory pancake), and veggie “unagi” (eel) made with tofu.
Wabi Sabi Noodle House currently offers its plant-based Japanese dishes in Makati Cinema Square and Tomas Morato, QC.
Makati branch
Address: UG-4 MCS Fernando, Makati Cinema Square, Fernando St, cor Chino Roces Ave, Makati, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 12pm-9pm, Daily
Contact: 0949 993 4240
Quezon City branch
Address: Pos Building, Sct. Madriñan, Tomas Morato Avenue, Barangay 305, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 12pm-9pm, Daily
Contact: 0949 993 4241
Wabi-Sabi Noodle House’s website
Bara Chirashi Don.
Image credit: Ooma
If you want to have a feast, go to Ooma which offers big servings of Japanese dishes, particularly donburi or Japanese rice bowls.
One of the crowd favorite donburis from this Japanese restaurant is the Bara Chirashi Don (P645, ~USD11.76). It is soy dashi rice with an overload of seafood, topped with salmon, tuna, uni (sea urchin), unagi (eel), and baby octopus bits.
To treat yourself to even more good food, you can also get their highly recommended signature Hanger steak (P585, ~USD10.67).
Ooma’s website | Facebook | Instagram
For a list of branches, click here.
Tsukemen with cheese sauce.
Image credit: @mitsuyadoseimenph
The Japanese restaurant Mitsuyado Seimen is best known for its tsukemen – thick, chewy noodles that are dipped in broth.
You have the option between hot or cold noodles and different flavors of broth, including miso, Sichuan, and curry (from P320, ~USD5.84). You can even get a side of cheese sauce to put on your noodles. This might seem unusual but it gives the dish a different dimension of flavor.
Mitusyado Seimen offers its tsukemen in 3 sizes. But in case you need more noodles, you can also get an extra serving for P40-P80 (~USD0.73-USD1.46), depending on the size.
Mitsuyado Seimen’s Facebook | Instagram
For a list of branches, click here.
Karaage.
Image credit: @karayamaph
You can trust the chefs at the Japanese restaurant Karayama for perfectly cooked karaage or Japanese-style fried chicken.
Karayama’s karaage (starts at P70/piece, ~USD1.28) is always freshly deep-fried, giving it crispy skin while still being juicy on the inside.
The best thing is that you can have your karaage however you want – whether by itself, with rice, or even with curry.
Address: G/F, The Block, SM North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10am-9pm | Fri-Sun 1oam-10pm
Contact: 0917 623 6992
Karayama’s Facebook | Instagram
Kushiyaki.
Image credit: Mark Jordan Co
If you’re craving barbecue and Japanese food at the same time, head to Oedo for their kushiyaki or grilled skewers.
Besides grilled beef cubes, you can get a variety of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), including chicken gizzard, heart, and liver (from P55, ~USD1.00).
If you want to try more Japanese dishes, Oedo also has a wide variety of other offerings to choose from. Their katsu curry, in particular, is also highly recommended.
Address: 105 Sto. Domingo Avenue cor. Scout Oscar M. Alcaraz Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Opening hours: 11am-2pm, 5pm-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 0917 845 1722
Oedo’s Facebook | Instagram
Kurobuta (black hog) katsu.
Image credit: @yabuph
Yabu is one of the favorite Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila because of their crispy yet tender and juicy katsu or fried cutlet.
They offer this in different types of meat, from pork to salmon. You can also choose a spice level from regular, hot, and very hot.
Their katsudon sets (starting at P435, ~USD7.94) come with unlimited servings of white or brown rice, cabbage, miso soup, and fruits, which will surely make for a filling meal.
For a list of branches, click here.
Kuro Ramen.
Image credit: Ramen Kuroda Paseo Center
If you find yourself craving ramen often, go to Ramen Kuroda for affordable ramen starting at P200 (~USD3.65). This Japanese restaurant may be on the budget-friendly side but the flavors of their food is at par with higher-end ramen restaurants.
For a classic flavor, get their Shiro Ramen. But if you want something more flavorful, go with their Kuro Ramen.
You can also get your ramen in a set with chahan (fried rice) or karaage (fried chicken).
Ramen Kuroda’s website | Facebook | Instagram
For a list of branches, click here.
You don’t have to blow your budget to explore more kinds of Japanese food with these affordable Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila.
With the list above, you can now find your new favorite Japanese food spot and a go-to dish at the same time!
Related reads:
Cover image adapted from: @sushishokuninbychefmigs, @mitsuyadoseimenph, Ooma
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