Say Yes to Yakiniku! 7 Must-Visit Restaurants in Metro Manila
Gathering around a sizzling grill, with the aroma of seared meat filling the air, creates the perfect setting for sharing a meal with loved ones. If you’re craving grilled meat, treat yourself to an authentic Japanese yakiniku experience, which you can enjoy in Metro Manila.
While yakiniku shares similarities with samgyeopsal in that both involve grilling meat at the table, they differ in meat cuts, preparation, and flavors. Japanese yakiniku features high-quality, thinly sliced meat that’s lightly seasoned, while Korean BBQ often uses thick, fatty slices of pork that are usually unseasoned before grilling.
In terms of the dining experience, yakiniku emphasizes the quality of the meat and offers a quicker grilling process due to the thin slices, whereas samgyeopsal is a more communal experience that involves a variety of side dishes, with wraps adding an interactive element to the meal.
If you’re looking for a yakiniku restaurant to try in Metro Manila, we’ve listed options ranging from budget-friendly spots to upscale dining places. Satisfy your cravings at any of the restaurants below:
Miyazaki Gyu
What better way to enjoy meat than by going for 100% pure wagyu meat? If you’re ready to splurge, a visit to Miyazaki Gyu is in order. Here, customers are treated to Miyazaki beef, a premium variety of Japanese wagyu known for its quality, beautiful marbling, and tenderness. There’s no need to think twice about spending when dining here because you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth.
Some of the must-tries include the Special Part (80 grams at P1,800), Prime Marble (80 grams at P1,700), and Sirloin (80 grams at P1,900). A Yakiniku Mix Plate that’s good for 5 people can also be ordered for take-out or delivery priced at P10,000.
Location: Miyazaki Gyu, Podium Level, One McKinley Place, 26th Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues), Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Shaburi and Kintan PH
Who can resist all-you-can-eat Japanese yakiniku? At Kintan, you get to enjoy premium meat cuts, including juicy slices of Angus beef. Promising to deliver the “ultimate grill and buffet dining” experience, Kintan also offers a variety of side dishes that pair well with grilled meat.
At the Glorietta branch, Kintan shares space with Shaburi, a dining concept focused on shabu-shabu, allowing you to savor filling hot pot dishes alongside perfectly grilled high-quality meats.
Location: Shaburi and Kintan PH, Top of the Glo, Level 4 Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati
Tajimaya Yakiniku Restaurant
Known for offering a flavorful dining experience centered around Japanese-style grilled meats, Tajimaya features a variety of meat options on its menu, including cuts of beef, pork, and chicken. An “eat-all-you-can” option is also available, allowing guests to sample a wide range of meats and side dishes. Some of the meats you can try include Angus beef, pork belly, chicken, Tajimaya sausage, giant squid fillet, and salmon belly, among others.
Aside from dining in at the restaurant, you can also indulge in yakiniku at home, as Tajimaya offers frozen products like chicken thighs, Japanese sausage, fish cake, and USDA beef short plate, which you can buy and grill at home.
Location: Tajimaya Yakiniku Restaurant, The Corner House, P. Guevarra Street, Recto, San Juan
Gyumon Yakiniku
Offering quality meats imported from the United States and Australia, Gyumon Yakiniku has become a popular dining spot, with regular customers commending not just the overall Japanese yakiniku experience, but the extensive menu and the friendly service staff as well.
Some of the meats you can look forward to tasting when dining here include the Rosu (beef loin slices), Gyutan (ox tongue), Karubi (U.S. superior beef rib meat), and Jo Harami (Premium U.S. harami-skirt), among others.
Location: Gyumon Yakiniku, Creekside Mall, 1229 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati
Sandaya Yakiniku
An established yakiniku restaurant that has been delighting foodies for over two decades, Sandaya Yakiniku is known not just for its premium meats, but also for other offerings like grilled seafood, hot pot, and a wide selection of snacks.
Here, you can enjoy a luxurious Japanese yakiniku buffet for either lunch or dinner. You have the option of choosing between three buffet types: Regular, Premium, or Special, which include 40 kinds of barbecue such as wagyu beef, Angus beef, imported pork and chicken, and fresh seafood. You can also indulge in sushi, tempura, and beverages. For updated buffet and promo details, follow them on Facebook.
Location: Sandaya Yakiniku, G/F Sunvar Plaza Building, 1200 Antonio Arnaiz Avenue, Legazpi Village, Makati
Sakura Yakiniku
A beloved Japanese barbecue restaurant in Makati with over 30 years of history, Sakura Yakiniku is renowned for its extensive menu, which includes crowd favorites like the US Prime Rib Kalbi and Tan Shio. The Makati branch boasts an inviting atmosphere that enhances the welcoming dining experience, attracting both office workers and families, especially during lunch hours. Regular customers recommend Sakura Yakiniku for its quality food, friendly service, and reasonable pricing, making it a go-to destination for those seeking authentic Japanese barbecue.
Location: Sakura Yakiniku, G/F Makati Central Square, Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati
Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant
Considered the “most authentic Japanese restaurant in Manila,” Yurakuen is located in Diamond Hotel Philippines. The award-winning restaurant is famous for its teppanyaki and yakiniku offerings. Here, guests can indulge in grilling their own selections of meat and vegetables in a luxurious yet inviting setting.
The restaurant also offers an eat-all-you-can yakiniku experience for only P3,580, which includes one round of standard drinks. Offers and deals may vary, check their website for more updates.
Location: Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant, Lobby Level, Diamond Hotel Philippines, Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila
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