Restaurants at Little Tokyo, Makati: Where to Go for Sushi, Ramen, + More

(SPOT.ph) There are many food hubs all over the Metro but very few places evolve into actual, honest-to-goodness institutions the way Little Tokyo in Makati has. A compound at the corner of Chino Roces Avenue and Fernando Street, Little Tokyo has been a haven for real-deal Japanese cuisine well-loved by both Pinoys and Japanese expats for decades.

Many of the restaurants in Little Tokyo are Japanese-owned as well, and each has its own specialties and signature dishes. Here’s an updated guide to every single restaurant in the area for when planning your next visit! 

Also read: 
10 Standout New Japanese Spots for A+ Sushi, Drool-Worthy Donburi + More 
The SPOT.ph Guide to Japanese Food

Little Tokyo restaurants 2024

Sekitori

If you didn’t already know Sekitori is owned by a former sumo wrestler, then the super-sized servings and a traditional no-shoes tatami dining space ought to give you a clue. True to its origins, Sekitori serves up dishes made famous by sumo tradition—including its signature Miso Chanko Nabe (P950/half size for two to three  pax, P1,600/ozeki good for three to four pax, P2,100/yokozuna good for four to six people), a clean and lean miso hotpot with a heaping pile of vegetables and chicken balls. 

Sekitori faces Don Chino Roces Avenue.

Izakaya Kikufuji

Have you really been to Little Tokyo if you’ve never eaten at Izakaya Kikufuji? Their cult-status Spicy Tuna Sashimi (P450) and fully-loaded Special California Maki (P500) have been rocking palates since 1995. Combine that with a whole menu of ultra-fresh sushi and sashimi, as well as a strong lineup of izakaya classics, and you’ve got the no-fail spot that is practically synonymous with Little Tokyo.

Izakaya Kikufuji faces Don Chino Roces Avenue. It's open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily; and for dinner, from 5:30 to 11 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Shinjuku Home of Authentic Ramen

If you wanted to travel to Japan vicariously through bowls of ramen, you could without ever leaving Shinjuku Home of Authentic Ramen—one of the first restaurants ever opened in Little Tokyo. It has over 29 types of hot and cold ramen, going from classic Shoyu (P325) with chashu to even regional signatures like the buttery Sapporo Corn (P395). But don’t be fooled by the name: Shinjuku’s an all-rounder, with great tempura and interesting rolls as well! 

Shinjuku Home of Authentic Ramen faces Don Chino Roces Avenue. They're open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Hot Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

One of the newest kids on this block facing Fernando Street, Hot Tokyo dares to do something no other Little Tokyo restaurant does: they serve Japanese food and Filipino food (while staying true to authentic flavors of both, don’t worry!). On its menu, you’ve got a wallet-friendly selection of favorites like donburi, tempura, and yakitori–-and you can get a whole Yakitori Set (P360/5 sticks) with different cuts of chicken. Order some Sisig (P250) alongside that, and you’ve got the perfect menu for an inuman with friends.

Hot Tokyo is located facing Fernando Street, and is open from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

Yamazaki

We love a triple-threat: Yamazaki is a grocery store, a bento shop, and a ramen joint. If you’re out to stock up on Japanese ingredients, be sure to grab something to eat as well. If you’re dining in, don’t miss out on the shoyu-based Yamazaki Special Ramen (P298) with six pieces of chashu. But if you can’t stay, take out their bestseller: the fully-loaded Makunochi Bento (P428).

Yamazaki faces Fernando Street. They're open from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily; the grocery's open until 11 p.m.

Edoya

With its flashy wooden facade and its name in big red letters, you would have to be blind to miss the newest restaurant (and cafe) in Little Tokyo. Even inside, Edoya takes you straight to Japan—they’ve even got a torii gate and kimono inside for you to take photos with inside! Meanwhile, its menu keeps all its bases covered with authentic Japanese cuisine, ranging from sushi and tonkatsu to ramen and donburi. Don’t be afraid to try more Japanese delicacies like the Anago Tempura (P399) using freshwater eel.

Edoya is open from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily.

Chotto Matcha

Located inside of restaurant Edoya, Chotto Matcha lives up to its name as the perfect stop for premium matcha and hojicha from Mt. Fuji. The earthy Authentic Matcha Latte (P195/chibi, P205/noppo) is a classic, but if you’re looking for something different, the Strawberry Matcha (P195/chibi, P205/noppo) is an addicting combo. But Chotto Matcha is more than just drinks—they have a tasty selection of desserts like shaved ice, croffles, and madeleines, too. If you want to beat the heat, try their Hojicha Shaved Ice (P180)!

Chotto Matcha faces Fernando Street and is open from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily.

Seryna

With warm wooden interiors and an intimate space that’s set the mood since it opened in the early 2000s, Seryna is the OG date spot of Little Tokyo. It’s where you go to impress someone with top-notch food prepped by a Japanese chef—especially if what you’re after is amazing seafood. Whether it’s their Chirashi Sushi (P720) with ultra-fresh sashimi on top of sushi rice or even their crisp Soft Shell Crab Karaage (P380), you’re definitely in good hands.

Seryna faces Fernando Street, and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and 6 p.m. onwards daily.

Yakiniku A5 Toku

If you step into Yakiniku A5 Toku, then there’s no messing around: you are here for high-quality grilled beef, and that’s what you’ll get. Specifically, buttery-rich A5 rank Wagyu out to get your heart racing. And you’d be surprised at the variety of cuts you can get, from your usual boneless short rib Yagu Karubi (P520) to even Wagyu Sushi (P750) and some tender Sirloin (P1,750) when you want to make it rain. Pro tip: stop by around noon for their yakiniku lunch sets, which go for as low as P560.

Yakiniku A5 Toku is in the Little Tokyo interior. It's open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Misaki

Planning a night out with friends? Misaki is one spot where you’d get more bang for buck with dinner and a show at your table, with skilled chefs not just cooking but performing as they serve you up mouth-watering teppanyaki. A Beef Course Set (P2,680) is good for two, and you can watch them chop, juggle, and literally play with fire to get your appetite going. But if you want to play things cooler, Misaki is also known for serving up ultra-fresh sushi, sashimi, and temaki!

Misaki is located in the Little Tokyo interior. It's open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sundays to Thursdays; and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Fridays to Saturdays.

Hana Japanese Restaurant

The special griddle outside should already give you a clue about what Hana Japanese restaurant is known for. For this Little Tokyo spot, the name of the game is its wallet-friendly sushi, sashimi, and set menus—the Hana Lunch Set (P350) can get you mains like tempura, tonkatsu, and ramen with generous sides! However, many visitors will know it (and go out of the way) for its perfectly-cooked Takoyaki (P180), served piping hot and filled with tender octopus.

Hana is located in the Little Tokyo interior. It's open 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays; and from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays.

Okonomiyaki Kagura

Missing Osaka already? You can still have a taste of it at Kagura. Run by a Japanese family since 2002, they specialize in authentic okonomiyaki that they cook up right in front of you at the counter. And more than just the hefty, umami pancake we know and love, they also serve up a mean “modern” style with yakisoba noodles. For a taste, try the Modern Special (P640), both fully-loaded with pork, squid, shrimp, and egg, and topped generously with their special okonomiyaki sauce!

Okonomiyaki Kagura is located in the Little Tokyo interior. It's open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Tuesdays to Saturdays; 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Menya Ippondo

If you’ve got a late-night ramen craving, Menya Ippondo (formerly Ramen Shimada) is the spot for you. Open until 4:00 a.m. every day, it has a lean and mean menu with something for everyone: like the light, but flavor-packed Yonaki Ramen (P270) or even the heavier, meatier Chas-shu men (P490). But Menya Ippondo’s true signature is extra spicy styles, and their signature Taiwan Ramen (P450) is guaranteed to make you break into a sweat!

Menya Ippondo is located in the Little Tokyo interior. It's open from 3:30 pm to 4 a.m. Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Honari Japanese Restaurant - Oishinbo

For those in need of some post-work food therapy, there’s no better spot in Little Tokyo than cozy pub-slash-restaurant Oishinbo. With its red lanterns and wide menu of Japanese comfort food, its space takes you right back to the izakayas of Shinjuku. The combo of beer with their huge Ebi Tempura (P420) and Chicken Karaage (P280) is always a hit, but their bentos are also a good choice—the Beef Teriyaki Bentou (P380) is bang for buck!

Oishinbo is located in the Little Tokyo interior. It's open 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays to Sundays.

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