3 Must-try Japanese Restaurants in Manila

There are a lot of Japanese restaurants in Manila but there are a couple of small restaurants that true foodies frequently go to for a good meal.

There are three must-try Japanese restaurants today in Manila that I consider as cool places for good tasting food. Two of which are modern type Japanese restaurants and the other one is a traditional type Japanese restaurant. Below are the three restaurants worth trying.

Nikkei

NIkkei is a restaurant located along Rada Street in Legaspi Village in Makati.  Nikkei is a Japanese term that refers to Japanese emigrants from Japan and their descendants that reside in a foreign country. The name is quite appropriate for the restaurant since it offers a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine in a modern izakaya-inspired setting.

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NIkkei's modern interiors

The restaurant interiors has a modern industrial feel and combines wood, concrete walls, steel materials and is nicely lit by several incandescent lamps. It also has an open kitchen with bar.

Nikkei's open kitchen and bar

Since I wanted some seafood dishes for lunch, I opted to try the Grilled Ceviche  and the Grilled Ebi maki.

Grilled Ceviche

A combination of white fish, octopus, scallops, prawns, cilantro,
leche de tigre, sweet potato and red chili

Grilled Ebi

Combination of prawns, cream cheese,
onion leeks, mango, yellow pepper
sauce and togarashi

Green tea comes in a French press
and is at PHP145 each

Nikkei has a nice and quiet ambience. It is a nice place for a get together lunch or dinner with friends. A meal for one person can cost around PHP1,000(around USD20). Note that the servings are quite small though so if you are dining with a group it would be best to get several dishes. 

Ooma

Ooma is a restaurant under the Moments group located at SM Fashion hall in Megamall. It was developed in collaboration with Chef Bruce Ricketts, who is known for Sensei Sushi restaurant.  The name is a play on the Japanese word “umai” which means "good" in English.

Sushi bar at Ooma

The restaurant interiors was inspired by the well-known Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. The restaurant has exposed pipes, dim lighting, wooden tables and has an industrial feel complete with brightly painted corrugated sheets on the walls. It also has a small bar where one can see fresh sushi dishes being prepared by the chefs.

 

Chefs at Ooma making aburi sushi

Wall made from corrugated sheet
with long table

I have tried Ooma several times and below are some good dishes that are worth trying:

Ebi and kani aburi maki

Ebi, kani, cream cheese, aligue mayo, tempura crumbs, ginger
and house tare

California Taco-maki

An open-faced temaki wrap, kani stick, aligue mayo , herb
aioli and mango pico

O-Gyoza

Gyoza with mozzarella and cheddar cheese
gratin with togarashi(chili pepper)

Hanger steak

A sous-vide cooked tender steak with sauteed mushrooms, 

white truffle oil, sweet potato mash, crispy baby potatoes,

pickle dressing and ponzu butter.

Miso soup

What makes Ooma interesting is the modern-fusion Japanese dishes and its bold take on new flavours for their dishes. The presentation of sushi and maki dishes is also interesting as one gets to literally paint brush their dishes with some Japanese soy sauce. Plus, they use local ingredients like aligue and mix it with Japanese mayo to add more flavour for the maki dishes.

It is best to go there before 12 noon if you will try it for lunch since the place gets full fast during lunch. SInce most of their dishes are good for sharing, a meal for one person ranges from PHP800 - PHP1,000.

No worries on the service though since the restaurant staff are well trained and they make sure that orders are served fast and fresh.

Izakaya Kikufuji

One of the oldest Japanese restaurants often frequented by foodie Filipinos and Japanese who stay in Manila is Izakaya Kikufuji. Located along Pasong Tamo in Makati and in the same restaurant block known as Little Tokyo, the place is quite old but it is certainly always filled with people for lunch and dinner.

If you want a traditional, no frills type and reasonably priced Japanese dishes then this is the place to go to.  A meal for one person costs around PHP500(a little over USD10) which is really a value for money deal for good quality Japanese food.

Kikufuji’s best-seller is the grilled Wagyu beef sticks which is priced at PHP125 per stick. It is certainly good and tasty.

Gyu Kushi

Sticks of wagyu beef 

Their portions are quite generous and is good for sharing. They also offer a lunch menu that comes with miso soup, salad, spicy tuna sashimi and a main course.

Spicy tuna sashimi and salad

Ebi tempura  with miso soup and rice

To have a hassle-free dining experience at Kikufuji, get a table reservation if you are a group or opt to go there early for lunch(before 12noon). It would also be good to just take an Uber ride to go there or have a driver drop you off at the place since the restaurant has limited parking space for customers.

Do not expect the place to be quiet since there is a lot of noise when you dine in and the service is not as efficient as other restaurants since it usually takes a couple of follow-ups before you get your bill and your change. Nevertheless, people still go there because they serve authentic Japanese food that is always Oishi!