15+ Best Japanese Restaurants in Metro Manila (2025)

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If your go-to order is salmon sashimi with a side of karaage, we’re probably going to get along. Metro Manila isn’t short on Japanese spots—but with so many options, choosing can feel like standing in front of a konbini fridge at 2 AM. Where do you even begin? This list of the best Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila trims the guesswork and points you to spots that deliver—on taste, value, and that soy-sauce-hits-different kind of comfort. Some places are casual, others lean fancier, but they all hit the same craving: good Japanese food that doesn’t disappoint.

Best Japanese Restaurants in Metro Manila (ULTIMATE Guide)

Tsukiji

Photo via @tsukiji_makati / Instagram

Since 1989, Tsukiji has been dedicated to upholding tradition. It was the first in Manila to bring in seafood directly from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market. Now, ingredients come from the Toyosu Market three times a week. You can sit at the sushi bar or try wagyu grilled right at your table. It’s a quiet, serious place for those who appreciate details.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Website: www.tsukiji-restaurant.com 
  • Location: 3rd Floor, Milky Way Building, 900 Antonio Arnaiz Ave, Makati City, 1200 Metro Manila
  • Phone: (02) 8843 4285

Kazunori Japanese Restaurant / Kazu Cafe

Photo via @kazunorijapaneserestaurant / Instagram

A more modern take on the dining experience comes from Kazunori, where three areas—café, main hall, and private omakase rooms—offer different ways to enjoy your meal. Chef Kazunori Kuramochi leads the open kitchen with dishes like soba, yakitori, and tempura, all handled with precision.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Instagram: @kazunorijapaneserestaurant
  • Location: G/F, Mazda Makati Building, 2301 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, 1231 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0917 836 2695

Izakaya Kikufuji

Photo via @kikufuji_izakaya / Instagram

Nostalgia plays a role at Izakaya Kikufuji, which hasn’t changed much since the 1990s. Located in Little Tokyo, it’s a go-to for big servings of sashimi and grilled items. Some regulars even embrace the aging interiors—it feels familiar and comforting.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Instagram: @kikufuji_izakaya
  • Location: Little Tokyo, Central Bus. Dist. Brgy., 2277 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, 1230 Metro Manila
  • Phone: (02) 8893 6131

Sakagura

Photo via @sakaguramanila / Instagram

Sakagura stands out for its drink selection and izakaya-style small plates. The place feels easygoing, with dim lighting and wooden furniture that evokes the ambiance of tiny Tokyo bars. Expect hand rolls, grilled skewers, and a bar full of Japanese beer and sake.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Instagram: @sakaguramanila
  • Location: One Bonifacio High Street by Ayala Malls, 2nd Floor, 28th St, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0956 029 4791

Ginza Gyu

For a fuss-free rice bowl, Ginza Gyu keeps it simple with gyudon made from thinly sliced beef, simmered in soy and dashi, served on hot rice. It’s affordable, quick, and hits the spot when you want something filling and warm.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Website: https://ginzagyu.com  
  • Location: F7 Rallos, 49 Sct. Rallos St, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0967 488 7684

Oedo

Photo via @oedojapaneserestaurant / Instagram

Fans of classic dishes often head to Oedo, where the menu sticks to tried-and-tested favorites like tempura, sushi rolls, and bento meals. It’s a popular pick for group dinners or casual celebrations.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Instagram: @oedojapaneserestaurant
  • Location: 105 Sto. Domingo Avenue, Corner Scout Oscar M. Alcaraz St, Quezon City, Metro Manila
  • Phone: (02) 8518 0058

Manmaru Izakaya

Photo via @brent.monzon / Instagram

Crowds have been gathering around Manmaru Izakaya, a newer spot that serves Japanese comfort food at fair prices. The atmosphere is casual, the portions are generous, and the steady line out front tells you it’s doing something right.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ 
  • Instagram: @manmarujapanese
  • Location: G-1, Makati Square, Fernando, Makati City, Metro Manila
  • Phone: (02) 8254 3170

Tomo Japanese Dining

Photo via @sef.pan / Instagram

You’ll get a bit of everything at Tomo Japanese Dining, from steaming sukiyaki to fresh sashimi. Ingredients are flown in from Japan, and the vibe stays calm—good for longer meals or quiet catch-ups.

Edoya

Photo via @kanehon / Instagram

A more recent addition to the scene, Edoya opened in 2023 in Makati’s Little Tokyo. It blends traditional items with newer twists, offering sushi, teppanyaki, and ramen. It’s a relaxed spot for those looking for a balance between flavor and variety.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ 
  • Website: www.edoyaph.com 
  • Location: Makati Central Square, 2227 Fernando, Legazpi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0960 812 8030
  • Email: edoyamakati@gmail.com 

Nikkei Robata

Photo via @nikkei_robata / Instagram

A twist in flavor and influence defines Nikkei Robata, where Japanese techniques meet Peruvian ingredients. Robata-style grilling brings out depth in seafood and meat dishes, and the pairing works better than you’d expect.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Website: www.nikkei.com.ph 
  • Location: Newport Mall, Newport Blvd, Pasay City, 1309 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0945 551 1898

Uma Nota

Global roots shape the menu at Uma Nota, which first opened in Hong Kong and Paris before landing in Manila. It brings Japanese-Brazilian fusion dishes into a social, high-energy space. It’s a good option for those who like something more playful and unexpected.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱
  • Website: www.uma-nota.com.ph 
  • Location: Shangri-La The Fort 30th Street, corner 5th Ave, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0917 307 2766
  • Email: manila@uma-nota.com 

Umimatsu

For a no-frills setup, Umimatsu in Malate offers sushi, ramen, and yakitori in a casual space. It’s the kind of place you visit when you just want something warm, familiar, and fast without compromising flavor.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ 
  • Instagram: @umimatsuph
  • Location: 1st Floor, Chungdam Building, 560 Remedios St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0995 786 2319

Kodawari

Photo via @kodawari.ph / Instagram

Something a little different happens at Kodawari, where the gyudon doesn’t always follow tradition. Their rice bowls still satisfy, but they like to change things up. Found in Salcedo Village, it’s a nice midday or after-office stop.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ 
  • Instagram: @kodawari.ph
  • Location: Adamson Center, Salcedo Village, 121 L.P. Leviste Street, Makati City, 1227 Metro Manila

Ginza One

Photo via @ginzaone_ph / Instagram

A minimalist design approach defines Ginza One, where food presentation and space work hand-in-hand. The menu leans clean and focused—mostly sushi, grilled plates, and small composed dishes—best enjoyed when you’re not in a rush.

  • Price: ₱₱₱₱ 
  • Instagram: @ginzaone_ph
  • Location: G/F, 2305 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, 1232 Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0917 621 2171

Omakase Japanese Cuisine – Il Terrazzo

Photo via @omakase_ph / Instagram

You’ll find dependable crowd favorites at Omakase Japanese Cuisine, located inside Il Terrazzo. The menu covers familiar items like chicken teriyaki, salmon teppanyaki, and sushi rolls. It’s fast, casual, and often full at lunch and dinner hours.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ – ₱₱₱₱ 
  • Website: https://omakase.ph 
  • Location: G/F, Il Terrazo Mall, Tomas Morato Ave, Diliman, Quezon City,  Metro Manila
  • Phone: (02) 8332 4115

SUGI

Photo via @sugimnl / Instagram

Still going strong after four decades, SUGI in Makati remains a quiet pillar of Japanese dining in the city. Their menu doesn’t chase trends—it just delivers. Expect sushi, noodles, and grilled items served with the same care since the early ’80s.

  • Price: ₱₱₱ 
  • Website: www.sugirestaurant.com 
  • Location: G/F, Palm Promenade, Garden Towers, Palm Dr, Ayala Center, Makati City, Metro Manila
  • Phone: 0956 310 3148

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