Itadakimasu! These Japanese restaurants are opening in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – It’s been (and will continue to be) a big year for Japanese food in the Philippines — and we’re not talking sushi and ramen!

A wave of restaurant chains and culinary collaborations from Japan are making their way to Metro Manila this year, bringing everything from artisanal burger buns to wagyu-topped rice bowls.

Some have already opened their doors, while others are just around the corner. Whether it’s high-heat griddling, deep-fried dough, or meticulous pizza fermentation, there’s plenty to get excited about in this new class of Japanese concepts landing on Philippine soil!

Gindaco Takoyaki

One of Japan’s most popular takoyaki chains is set to make its Philippine debut this July at SM Mall of Asia!

Originally established in Gunma, Japan, in 1997, Gindaco has become a household name in the country’s street food scene, with over 500 stores across Japan and overseas locations in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more. It’s known for crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside balls with chunky octopus inside.

At its Manila outpost, the brand is bringing a limited but curated selection of flavors: Original, Teritama (a teriyaki-egg combo), Mentai Cheese, and Triple Cheese flavors.

Niku Niku Oh!! Kome

It’s all in the name: niku means meat, and kome means rice — and at this sizzling Japanese chain, you get plenty of both.

Niku Niku Oh!! Kome offers a hands-on dining experience where guests are given individual hot plates to cook their hamburg steaks to their liking, from pink-centered medium rare to a full char.

Their set menu is simple but satisfying: two thick, freshly ground patties, unlimited Japanese rice polished in-house, miso soup, and your choice of a golden raw yolk or soft onsen egg.

For something richer, many opt for the cheese-topped steak or limited servings of wagyu. The open kitchen and counter seating offer a view of the action.

Originally from Japan with branches in Hong Kong, Niku Niku Oh!! Kome opened its first Philippine location at SM Mall of Asia earlier in 2025.

Masajiro Burger

Coming straight from Fukuoka with cult status in tow, Masajiro Burger is known for its “golden buns” — pillowy, chewy, hand-kneaded creations made with New Zealand butter and a proprietary blend of wheat. The burgers themselves are deceptively simple, letting the flavor and texture of the bread take the spotlight.

Masajiro started as a local bakery, aptly named Masajiro’s Grin Pan, in 2014 before experimenting with burgers in 2016. Always fresh off the oven, the buns became such an explosive hit that the owners eventually opened a burger shop dedicated to the recipe.

The Philippine location marks the brand’s first international expansion; the branch has yet to open its doors at Glorietta.

Hikiniku to Come

A social media hit in Japan, Hikiniku to Come (or Hikiniku to Kome) is known for doing one thing well: charcoal-grilled hamburger patties served with premium Japanese rice.

The aesthetic is understated, the atmosphere quiet and focused, and the seating usually counter-style, so diners can watch the chefs at work.

Their menu is minimalist, only containing a single item: the Hikiniku to Come Set Meal. The eponymous spread comes with three 90g patties made of 100% Wagyu, plus house-made condiments like lemon-grated daikon, red pepper pickles, and radish furikake.

Rice is unlimited, but not an afterthought — it’s sourced from different Japanese regions monthly, cooked fresh, and served with care.

Already popular in Shibuya and Hong Kong, the Uptown Mall branch is confirmed for an opening but an exact date is still under wraps.

Age.3

If you like your food crispy, cute, and a little unconventional, Age.3 might be your new favorite.

This deep-fried sandwich chain from Kama, Fukuoka, plays on the word ageru (to deep-fry) and san (sandwich, and cleverly, also the number three), offering a menu of sweet and savory fillings encased in golden-brown, crisp bread.

With 22 varieties to choose from, Age.3’s offerings include the spicy keema curry sandwich and its fruity dessert counterparts, both of which have drawn long lines and lots of likes in Tokyo’s Ginza district. The brand’s secret? They only fry after you order, so the crunch is always fresh.

The first Philippine location is slated to open at SM North EDSA.

Pizza Studio Tamaki

Helmed by Chef Tsubasa Tamaki — formerly of Tokyo’s legendary Savoy— Pizza Studio Tamaki is regarded as one of Japan’s finest pizzerias. The pies are Neapolitan in style but filtered through Japanese precision: dough fermented for 30 hours, toppings meticulously sourced, and crusts as airy as they are chewy.

Fan favorites include the signature Tamaki pizza and the runny-yolked Bismarck.

While originally slated to open in October 2024, the Philippine launch has been delayed. Details on the new schedule and location are expected soon.

Azuki Toyo

Unlike the others on this list, Azuki Toyo isn’t a chain, but its roots in two decorated kitchens make it one of the most anticipated openings this year. A collaboration between Manila’s Toyo Eatery and Tokyo’s Florilège, the kakigori bar stems from a long-standing camaraderie between the two restaurants.

Chefs Jordy Navarra and Hiroyasu Kawate once exchanged thoughts on hand-shaved ice desserts like halo-halo, eventually leading to the gift of a kakigori machine — and perhaps the seeds of a concept.

While the final menu remains under wraps, Azuki Toyo will spotlight kakigori, the finely shaved Japanese iced dessert. The name itself — “azuki” referring to red bean — suggests a journey through sweet and savory lines.

Occupying the former site of Panaderya Toyo at Karrivin Plaza, Azuki Toyo is expected to open in Makati City in July. – Rappler.com

Angela Divina is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Ateneo de Manila University.