10 Standout New Japanese Spots for A+ Sushi, Drool-Worthy Donburi + More

(SPOT.ph) So much to eat, so little time—and that’s especially true when you’ve found yourself in the chokehold of a good ol’ hankering for Japanese food. And while you could always opt to head over to your no-fail spots the past year has been a great year for new Japanese (and Japanese-inspired!) cuisine, what with all the new restaurants, bars, and concepts have popped up to bust those cravings (and simultaneously create new ones) here in the Metro.

Whether you’re after ultra-fresh sushi, umami-rich izakaya fare, or modern takes on the classics, you'll want to check out these recently opened Japanese restaurants.

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Add these new Japanese restaurants in Metro Manila to your must-try list this year:

Sakagura 

Combining the layout of a sleek Shinjuku, the cozy atmosphere of an izakaya, and the sake collection of a brewery, Sakagura is your new go-to for when you want a glass of sake to go with fresh sushi or mouthwateringly smoky meat and seafood off a charcoal grill. Hailing from the same restaurant group that brought us Peruvian-Japanese spot Nikkei, Sakagura is decidedly more straight-laced—going for clean and updated takes on Japanese classics like its melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu Tataki (P1,450) and umami bomb Salmon Zuke (P890). For the complete experience, try to grab a seat at the bar, where you can watch chefs at work slicing sashimi and assembling fresh ingredients over hot grills.

Sakagura is at 2/F One Bonifacio High Street, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

Kodawari

A world on lockdown had us see the rise of delivery-only superstars with signature dishes so good, it seemed like all was right in the world. While many of these would later fizzle out, such was not the case for don purveyor Kodawari: its juicy, cult favorite Gyudon (P385) and its deeply savory Shroomdon (P525) have since broken through the barrier of online to IRL, moving from trays to solo-friendly bowls. Kodawari’s first Makati outpost in Salcedo Village (as well as its spot in The Grid Food Market) has since offered up new store-only originals you’ll want to try, like their take on Chilimansi (P355) and even their Fuji Apple Cloud (P275) dessert.

Kodawari is at G/F Adamson Centre, 121 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City and The Grid Food Court, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati.

Izakaya Geronimo

The newest concept of the same folks behind Wagyu Studio, Izakaya Geronimo is BGC’s biggest new restaurant. And by biggest, we mean it literally. The space is a massive 470 square meters, and includes a sake bar, a sushi bar, and a ramen bar—all ready to serve you great drinks to take you and your friends from dinner to cocktails to late night conversations, as well as fresh takes on Japanese cuisine. A good example: the Yuzu Burrata (P900) with white miso dressing and the creamy, spicy Popcorn Shrimp (P500) covered in sriracha. The stars on its menu, however, are the temaki: don’t miss the luxe Toro Uni Caviar (P1,500) and crowd-pleasing Spicy Tuna (P200).

Izakaya Geronimo is at G/F Asian Century Center, 3rd Avenue corner 27th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

Kosumosu

While many Japanese restaurants in the Metro stay true to traditional, authentic fare, Poblacion spot Kosumosu deliberately swerves off the beaten track and, true to its name, blasts off into refreshingly inventive territory with a menu featuring the likes of pink Galaxy Gyoza (P250), Big Bang Chicken Bao (P320) with ube infused into the bread, and of even an ultra-umami Gnocchi (P480). But Kosumosu shines when you let them take the lead: try their omakase-style Feed Me Menu (P1,500), where you’ll be able to try both on-menu items and Chef Christian Navarros’ newest creations. Or to get to really know Kosumosu, you can also try their Mi-So Hungry Menu (P3,200) for a selection of their best hits.

Kosumosu is at 5421 General Luna, Poblacion, Makati.

Patchimon Ookini

In a country like the Philippines where big tables, for-sharing servings, and lunch chika sessions are the norm, dining solo decidedly isn’t very common. And when you’re looking for peace, quiet, and good food to enjoy on your own, Makati hideaway Patchimon Ookini is the perfect spot. Located in the old Creekside Building along Amorsolo street, Patchimoon Ookini offers Ichiran-reminiscent solo dining booths where you can chow on hearty and honest Japanese fare without having to speak a single word to anyone. Bliss. Many of the dishes here are family recipes passed down to the owner, Osaka-born Yuka Toyonaga, and served in sets perfect for one (P335 at lunch, P445 at dinner). Don’t miss their Karaage and Ramen Gyoza sets.

Patchimon Ookini is at Creekside Building, Amorsolo street corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City.

Salaryman x 4649

If there’s anything anyone knows about Japanese office culture, it’s this: they work brutally hard, but make up for it by partying even harder. True to its name, Salaryman is half a izakaya and half a bar—making it the epitome of an after-work haven in Bonifacio Global City. Grab your work besties and head over if you need to refuel after a long day—their hearty Kare Ramen (P535) and their flavor=packed Grilled Sesame Tuna (P550) will definitely hit the spot. And if you’re looking to party to the sounds of city pop and gacha tunes, then you need only enter Salaryman’s subway-themed bar 4649 and grab a glass of its signature Salaryman Highball (P450),

Salaryman is at Forbestown Road, Bonifacio Global City.

Nagi Sushi

It’s been 10 years since award-winning ramen chain Ramen Nagi first opened its doors in Metro Manila, and yet, it’s still surprising us by showing a new side of itself with its latest concept restaurant Nagi Sushi. This restaurant is helmed by the esteemed Chef Oshikiri (who’s been making sushi for over 30 years, no big deal) and exclusively serves sushi in nigiri and temaki style with ultra-fresh seafood and a tight meticulousness. No frills and fusions here: just letting the high-quality fish—be it unagi, chutoro, or hamachi—speak for itself. Bonus: you can also order Ramen Nagi’s signature ramen, and even get both the ramen and sushi in sets!

Nagi Sushi is at G/F The Shops, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Paseo De Roxas, corner Makati Avenue, Makati City.

Ginza Gyu

Conceived and born as a cloud kitchen during the pandemic, Ginza Gyu has made a name for itself serving top-notch Japanese bowls with high-quality meat (does anyone else have dreams about their OG Wagyu skirt steak?). Now with its own dine-in space in Legazpi Village, Ginza Gyu is here with a new menu that allows the team to maximize their now being able to serve food fresh from the kitchen. Case in point: their absolutely swoon-worthy Wagyu & Foie Gras Claypot (P1,580) mixed with rich miso butter—or for something lighter, their Spicy Tuna (P450), with fresh tuna smothered in spicy mayo on top of perfectly-fried nori.

Ginza Gyu is at 109 Don Carlos Palanca, Legazpi Village, Makati City.

Tokugawa

“Modern” and “Japanese” are two words often found together when a restaurant wants to go against the grain of an even bigger word like “authentic.” But sometimes, you need to ask yourself what that actually means. Sushi joint Tokugawa offers an answer in three parts: first, its location in nocturnal Poblacion. Second, its colorful Warhol-meets-Hokusai interiors. Third, its menu of ultra-fresh sushi and sashimi: served both the clean, traditional way a la the Goten Set (P1,250), with five kinds of fresh seafood—as well as blowing you away with the fried flavor explosions like their signature Tokugawa Maki (P680). The bottom line: emphasizing the flavors of high-quality ingredients, in both understated and extravagant ways.

Tokugawa is at 8491 Kalayaan Avenue corner Algier Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

Cuddle Kitchen

Granted, this entry is more a deli than a full-on restaurant, but they've got great food nevertheless. Inspired by the food halls you’ll find in nearly every Japanese department store basement, Cuddle Kitchen is out to do one thing, and one thing extremely well: to make you fresh and homey Japanese dishes and sides (featuring quality produce, healthy cooking techniques, and a refreshing enthusiasm for vegetables) that you can mix and match to create your perfect bento box meal. Nope, this definitely isn’t your usual baon. If the burden of choice is feeling a little heavy when you stop by, you can always stick to standard sets like the Chicken Bento (P380) to try their perfectly-fried karaage, or experiment with mains like their Fried Shimp Stuffed Shiitake (P520).

Cuddle Kitchen is at B/1 Mitsukoshi Mall, 8th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.

Bonus: Tsumura

It’s difficult to imagine a time where Japanese restaurants and chains weren’t popping up left and right in the Metro we call home. But in that era, cult favorite Tsumura was already serving some of the freshest sushi and sashimi in Metro Manila. And while it definitely won’t need an introduction to those in the know, here’s something you may have missed: Tsumura has moved to a gorgeous new location in Ayala Triangle Gardens and upped its design game with sleek new interiors inspired by Japan’s narrow alleyways lined with izakayas and bars. Come for the food—namely, the ultra-fresh sushi and grilled seafood—but don’t be afraid to linger longer (and snap plenty of pics) in Tsumura’s gorgeous spaces.

Tsumura is at 3/F The Shops, Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City.