The Best Restaurants In Little Tokyo, Makati

Aside from the beautiful beaches in the Philippines, this Southeast Asian country also boasts unique dining places offering international cuisines, including the best restaurants in Makati’s Little Tokyo, which is situated in the country’s capital city of Manila. Although Manila isn’t exactly known as one of the budget-friendly places to visit in the Philippines, it’s still very affordable in comparison to most other city destinations around the world, especially for foodies who love authentic Japanese food.

Located in Chino Roces, this secluded yet popular area is just a few blocks from Makati’s central business district. Upon entering, visitors are also greeted with colorful signage and lanterns strung and displayed across the alleys. Most restaurants also provide alfresco or outdoor seating areas designed with wooden partitions to offer privacy.

At the same time, some dining places are surrounded by courtyards and small gardens to mimic the traditional Japanese landscape, including koi ponds, bonsai trees, and rock gardens. Care to know more? Fans of Japanese cuisine should check out these top restaurants in Little Tokyo, Makati, when planning a trip to the Philippines and its iconic capital city of Manila.

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10
Choto Stop

Chino Roces, Makati, Manilia, The Philippines

Tourists can enjoy a unique dining experience at Choto Stop, a Japanese grocery with a tiny snack bar of only four tables. The menu is also limited, but visitors can choose from cold or hot soba, ramen, and bento meals. Japanese food fans love how huge the soba and ramen servings are.

Choto Stop also has a few shelves with manga books for borrowing and a massive television to watch trending Japanese shows.

9
Izakaya Kikufuji

Downtown Makati

Izakaya Kikufuji is one of the go-to Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo because of its premium wagyu and sushi dishes. Only a single chef cooks in this restaurant and visitors often find locals feasting on fresh sashimi and sukiyaki. Guests can also try Kikufuji’s vegetables, fresh green salad, and miso soup.

Like most big Japanese restaurants, Izakaya Kikufuji serves complimentary tea for everyone. And with its big servings, tourists will find this dining place budget-friendly.

8
Yakiniku A5 Toku

Raw yakiniku

A camera is now one of the essential items to carry to the Philippines, so travelers can take photos of the beautiful food presentations in Little Tokyo restaurants. Yakiniku A5 Toku, famous for its black beef, gained popularity after uniquely presenting yakiniku dishes to customers. It features an open space with a relaxing ambiance, ideal for drinking parties and intimate gatherings.

Yakiniku serves rank A5 wagyu beef and special bento sets for lunch. Reservations are also preferred as the restaurant gets fully booked quickly.

• Operating hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
• No cashless payment available

7
Hana

Cooking Takoyaki

First-time travelers should try popular street foods in the Philippines, including Filipinos’ unique take on the famous Japanese takoyaki. Hana is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo, Makati, for travelers craving takoyaki, made with big octopus pieces. Guests will also love its sushi, yakitori, tempura, noodles, and bento boxes.

This restaurant features huge servings that already include fresh appetizers and sweet desserts. Hana’s special mango salad is another bestseller created by the restaurant’s Filipino chef with a twist. Guests can also order unlimited tea for free.

• Operating hours: 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays; 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends
• Bento meals: Start at $11

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6
Kagura

Fresh sashimi platter

Kagura is another famous restaurant in Little Tokyo in Manila because of its Okonomiyaki dish made with egg, flour, and cabbage. Guests should also try the special option with yakisoba noodles drizzled with mouthwatering Japanese mayonnaise.

Want additional ingredients? Kagura also allows guests to customize the Okonomiyaki for an additional fee. There’s also a diner-style counter where guests can sit and watch while the restaurant’s chef prepares and cooks Okonomiyaki.

5
Seryna

Sushi on a plate

Seryna is another one of the best restaurants in Little Tokyo, Makatai, for Japanese cuisine. It’s known for its intimate and warm ambiance, perfect for couples on a date night. Solo travelers can try sitting at the bar and watching as the chefs prepare fresh sushi and sashimi orders.

Seryna also offers bento meals, which include the main dish, rice, miso soup, salad, and fruits for dessert. Guests can also try platters like the Kaisen Gozen, which includes grilled tuna, sushi rice, and mixed sashimi tempura, and the Sashimi Gozen, which includes soft, fresh, and delectable sashimi.

• Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 11 p.m. daily
• Available for take-out and delivery

4
Urameshi-Ya

Beef bowl

Another excellent option for travelers craving authentic yakiniku beef is Urameshi-ya, featuring bite-sized beef orders with a side of pepper, salt, and garlic. This restaurant in Makati’s Little Tokyo area is unique because it allows guests to grill the meat on their own.

Grilled beef sets also come with complimentary kimchi, soup, and salad. The Japanese will also love Urameshi-ya’s cozy and quaint interior decor. For other dishes, guests can ask the staff regarding the other bestsellers.

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3
Menya Ippondo

Freshly-served ramen

Formerly known as Ramen Shimada, this authentic Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo, Manila, serves affordable and delicious ramen in big bowls, ideal for sharing. Menya Ippondo is also famous for its donburi bowls with unlimited white rice.

One of Menya Ippondo’s newest additions to its menu is the Taiwanese-flavored ramen, with a spicy and rich flavored Chicken broth.

• Operating hours: 3:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends
• Outdoor seating available

2
Sekitori Japanese Restaurant

Ebi tempura

Sekitori Japanese Restaurant has one of the best ebi tempura in Little Tokyo restaurants. This charming dining place in Chino Roces serves authentic ramen, sashimi, udon, and various donburi bowls

What’s also fascinating with Sekitori are the waiters and waitresses all dressed in kimonos. Moreover, guests can also find a few staff members who can speak in Nihongo!

1
Yamazaki Bento

Sushi Bento Set

Like Choto Stop, Yamazaki Bento is also a grocery and restaurant in one. This restaurant is famous for its affordable bento meals, ideal for sharing. Yamazaki’s grocery section features a wide selection of Japanese biscuits, snacks, and desserts.

As one of the best restaurants in Metro Manila’s Little Tokyo area, Yamazaki Bento is a go-to among Japanese locals in the city because of the rich flavors in the ramen dishes. Guests can also order small plates for sharing.