Rainy days call for warm and comforting dishes. I'd often find myself stuck and married to my bed on days the sun is shy but the idea of indulging in good food is always very tempting. And so, I headed to Makati with R and his family for lunch on one gloomy Sunday.
Hello, Tsumura Sushi Bar & Restaurant.
Excellent quality. You can trust this place to take you back to japan every time. Prices are not exorbitant. Very good value for money.
A little pricey but the food taste good. They offer so many options.
My favorite is the Chirachi Kyou which allows you to try a variety of different type of fish/sea food. Really fresh and the piece of raw fish are quite big.
The staff is proactive and attentive.
You have to go inside the Corporate Center and ask to go to the 2F to find it. (Please note that there is two emtrance to the building and must go to the one on sedeno st)
Long standing Japanese restaurant that I last visited a decade ago in my pre-Zomato days!
I ordered their Sashimi Moriawase Ume and it was fantastic. The sashimi was laid out on a bed of shredded daikon. There was a variety of fresh fish slices - salmon, tuna, octopus, squid, shrimp, uni and a few others that I do not recognize. I got full just eating this one plate of delicious sashimi
Soooo many food choices that you might run the risk of over-ordering due to wanting to try many options.
Authentic Japanese food. The chikuwa cheese age is good. Enjoyed the fresh, assorted seafood sashimi. Excellent service! Okay ambiance. Place is old though and lighting can be improved.
I didn’t expect the food to be so good.
One of the best yakisoba I’ve had.
Sashimi is also good.
Ambiance feels like a local restaurant in Japan.
(-)
Pork and chicken on the mix bbq stick has good flavor but a bit salty (beef though is very good.)
Hope they get to improve the restrooms.
Mary Meledie M. Warren
+4
Authentic Japanese resto. Simple, no frills. Fresh seafood and flavorful soba. Staff are friendly. Place is nice and quiet. Reliable menu. It is on the second floor and you can take the side stairs if the queue to the elevator is long.
I love this place, especially since it's so close to my office. Very authentic Japanese restaurant. I highly recommend the Chirashi Don, Uni Sushi, Kohaku Ju and Salmon Chazuke.
This Japanese Restaurant is a recommended one for those who are looking for a legit japanese dishes.
We have tried their Haze Tempura, it is a small fish called Biwa fish. Despite that the tempura is fried, the fish meat is still tender inside which makes the tempura great. We have also ordered Korokke, which is a potato and ground meat. This will be one of my favorite dish here. I couldn't explain but this is highly recommended dish. Their Sukiyaki tastes great also.
Will definitely go back here to try their other dishes.
No-frills restaurant, perfect if you want straight-up, authentic Japanese food. It's the food you'd expect from Little Tokyo restaurants, but since it's located at the CBD, it's a bit pricier. But quality and taste are 👌👌👌
The sushi was good
The beef curry rice was good
The udon was good
The tempura also good
Me and my husband went for dinner.
We didn’t try pork here,
Overall this is a good choice of japanese restaurant in Makati and if you japanese food lover, you can come :)
Definitely authentic Japanese resto. Food was good especially their bento boxes. We love to order country grilled ( beef) + gyoza and noodles. If you appreciate Japanese food must give it a try
tsumura is a hidden gem tucked in the middle of makati. they have a very extensive menu but everything we ordered was so good. definitely the best japanese restaurant ive tried in the philippines and, i say that as one who has tried many.
their sashimi quality was exceptional especially the uni and salmon. we also had the beef and seafood teppan. the quality was amazing and it was cooked to perfection unlike most japanese reataurants where you would expect your beef teppan rubbery. their katsudon was also very good in terms of cook and flavor. plus: they use real japanese rice.
the price is reasonable for the quality. would definitely come back again and again.
Didn’t get to have photos! I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Tsumura. It was my first day at work and our officemates treated me and my co-newbie to this quaint resto 💕 i remember that the staff members were fast, the place was clean, and maaaan the servings were huge! Definitely worth every centavo.
I saw the chief chef inside the bar area and he looks friendly. If you’re looking for a quiet sushi place to go to in the heart of Salcedo, this is it! 🍣
Update: okay i now have photos! This time, i tried out the pork katsu meal and my date had the Chirashi set. They’re really good, not really nakakaumay. Service is fast too. Better call in for reservations so you won’t be seated inside the smoking place!
Our go to place when we can't decide where to eat in Makati. Spicy tuna, fried rice and gyoza would be our staple but this time, I had ramen and salmon sashimi. Ramen was ordinary and I found the broth less savory. Sashimi was fresh.
Had our team lunch here. Place is great for corporate meetings. The food was great. Tried their Chicken Karaage and fried rice. Worth trying again :)
Definitely one of the best Japanese restaurant in Makati. Had lunch with officemates and ordered a bit of everything.
Ambience 4⭐: The place is just right. You need to be early or call for reservation so you are guaranteed with seats. We arrived early and was allowed to choose where to seat. The place is neat and can the old Japan vibe.
Food 5⭐: Food is yummy. The serving is big and very filling. The raw fish are fresh and the tempura is quite authentic. I don't recall the name of what we ordered but this is always what we order when eating here 🙂. To order, just show the picture. 🙂
Value for money 4⭐: since the serving is huge, and you will definitely leave full, this is one of the most affordable Japanese restaurant that you'll find in Makati.
Service 5⭐: the staff are very attentive to our needs. We didn't had any problem from ordering until bill out. Congratulations 🙂
We'll definitely visit again. Arigatoo!
Service is nice. If you want to try ITAMAE板前 sushi nigiri in makati it’s the best choice.
I try many kinds of sushi and feel amazing especially about cod fish nigiri and o o toro. Tamago Yalu and others are also nice.
I’ll come here next time for sure.
One of the best japanese restaurants I have been to. Food is pricey but flavor and ambiance is spot on. Their chirashi don is a MUST try. Wish they had other branches.
John Benedict Bellosillo
+3.5
Food was really good but service was terrible. You have to ask them 3 times before you get a menu, another 3 times to get water and 4 times to follow-up on one dish. It would've been understandable if it was full but today, there was less than half of capacity. The servers were busy chatting in one corner - perhaps that's why they forget what was ordered
I love their food so much. I think maybe because I'm a Japanese food lover, so I'm biased, but this place is really amazing. If you love Japanese food, Tsumura is THE place. We tried their Sashimi platter. Its the bomb, their salmon and tuna are so fresh. We also tried the Sukiyaki and it's a must eat. The serving is really big so it's really worth it. We tried other food on the menu as well, such as the unagi, yakitori, and a lot more. I'd definitely visit again.
as far as japanese food is concerned, i think tsumura would fit the bill of a typical japanses sushi bar in tokyo in terms of set-up, the presentation of the food and the presence of an authentic japanese sushi sensei. i would say if you were not inside a building in makati and transport tsumura to a stall in tokyo's shinjuku area or even at tsukiji market...it will not be lost to say that it belongs there. the only difference is tsumura will be the largest among them. the food is as good as it gets. the matura (tuna) sashim is very fresh, you can see it from the redness of the sliver of tuna meat, the uni was sweet as can be...and the sushi moriawase (kirin) - 9 pieces, is as good as it gets in Manila...almost sushi dai-ish (those who've brave tsukiji in the early morning for their sushi fix should know what i mean)...tsumura's sushi chef will try to create the sushi in front of you if you wish and not as a whole...something that you should do when you order the moriawase (either 11 pcs or 9 pcs)...some people say that the food selection here is too expensive....yeah...but have if you've tried the sushi's in tsukiji market (at Y8,000 -15,000) for a tasting menu of 9 or 12+1 dishes...then you are getting a bargain here at tsumura...the authenticity and care that tsumura's sushi master in educating his customers to the fine art of eating sushi...makes the traditional japanese style of eating sushi much real and closer to home...the rest of the place really needs some refurbishing though...as many have commented its a dated place...if you come here for a date don't expect fine dining amenities..its basic, simple and straightforward...just like the sushi---- no flavorings, artificiality...only fresh, authentic japanese sushi and sashimi you've ever get in the Metro..
Back to this hidden gem in Corporate Center in Salcedo. There's a big "YES!", when I was asked by my bf if i'm okay having dinner in Tsumura.
My first dining is definitely a good experience, everything is soooo delicious. We tried to visit some restos in Makati area, but most of it are closed on Sundays. Good news! Tsumura is open 🤗
This place is under rated, not as popular as other Japanese restos we knew. But I can tell that this place is authentic Jap Resto.. simple ..there are many Japanese are dinners 😊
Last night, i enjoyed everything:
For Appetizer, we had Chikuwa Cheese Age (P220) 4 pcs of squid stuffed with cheese. Its like an upgraded version of calamari. I love it!
For our main course,we had Ebi Tempura (P590), 5 pcs of prawns served with veggie tempura. Yummy plump prawns😊. Another is Beef Usuyaki (P690) 6 pcs. One of my favorite here, it consists of mushrooms wrapped in thin beef garnishes with thin carrot strips.
Verdict: definitely one of my favorite place now 😊
Ever since Cole started working in Makati, he’s been raving about this Japanese restaurant that has been his staple for how many years already. One day, the realization came that Julio has never been able to eat there, hence this review.
Ironically speaking,tsumura is tsu-mahal 😁😁😁. Kidding aside, the food is really great, i've tried their tempura even though i have an allergy in shrimp. It's worth every penny spent. The ambiance is nice and they have a very accommodating staff 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
David Isaac Pimentel
+3.5
Ordered tuna, salmon sashimi / salmon sushi / ebi tempura maki. Portions are 20% larger than average, I made a mistake of ordering too much. The raw fish are fresh but I've tasted fresher sashimi / sushi elsewhere. The ebi tempura maki is also saltier than it should be.
Place looks like it came from early 2000s, it needs renovation, air conditioning is also bad, the restaurant was at 30% capacity on an evening and it was hot.
Staff is very attentive and abundant.
Overall, it's an ok restaurant, portions are huge but proportionally pricey.
Freshness - 7/10
Taste - 7/10
Staff - 9/10
Ambience - 6/10
Value for money - 6/10
Tried the ebi tempura maki and gyudon here and both tasted amazing. I have a thing for sushi rolls and shrimp so my taste buds gave them a high rating.
The place is intimate and good for dates or catch ups with friends. I'd go back to try other maki!
Ordered:
Niku Udon - this is my go to order. While it looks plain, the soup soothes the throat and the beef is tender and flavorful. It also comes with golden mushrooms!
Salmon sashimi - this is one of the best salmon sashimis in Manila. It was the perfect size, fresh and tasty.
While the interiors are nice, it does look old. The staff are attentive. Call ahead to make sure you aren't seated in the smoking room.
Whenever my dad drops by the office, Tsumura is almost a shoe-in for lunch. From sashimi, ramen, tempura to teppanyaki, they've got it all. Reasonably priced, too. Just don't ask the chef to whip something up that's not on the menu as it's going to cost you ☺. Too bad my favorite lunch set (teppanyaki lunch set) is no longer available on weekdays.
Would always splurge money for good sushi and Tsumura gives us just that. They still serve the freshest I've had in the metro. I always order the one set with a combination of most everything from sushi to sashimi to tempura simply because I'm confident they won't let me down. Their chawan mushi has claimed top spot on my list again and their uni sushi is to die for. Unfortunately, they didn't have uni don the day we went there (they use different uni for the sushi and the don). Will most definitely go back to celebrate special days though!
P.S.
You know you're in a good Jap resto if you are surrounded by Nihonjin eating.
It's definitely not mura; although it has been our go-to Jap place as it is located beside our condo. Food here is great, and staff are friendly.
Okay, first of all, that cost estimate is a lie. You'll likely end up spending a lot more. The thing with Tsumura is that they have so much variety that you end up wanting to try everything! How much variety, you ask? Over 40 pages worth of variety. It's rather expensive across the board and probably not an every day type of place for most people, but if you like trying new things, this place is great. I've tried sushis, mushrooms and little fried things from across the menu and have yet to be disappointed, and I can't wait to try some more!
Fresh sushi, attentive staffs, and a nice private place. Couldn't ask for more.
I would LOVE to revisit Tsumura just for their sushi! Also, they do have nice Draught Beer here.
Dont be fooled by the interior. Place looks old but the food is good as hell. If you want authentic japanese food, go here! Such a shame that I don't remember the names of what we ordered. Everything was good though especially the wild scallops from Japan. Dab it with wasabi then let it melt in your mouth. So good! There was also the shitake mushrooms wrapped in beef. You dip that in the sauce it came with and eat it whole. So goood! There was also the tuna "toro" sashimi aka the belly. I forgot what its called exactly. Tastes and feels different from your usual tuna sashimi. Crazy good! I highly recommend this place. Check it out!
As Little Tokyo can get over-crowded, Tsumura has a better ambiance. Their food is authentic as it gets outside of Japan which is evident with a lot of Japanese expats or visitors frequenting the restaurant. With the set meal I ordered, it tasted how it should be which made me feel very satisfied. I left having a full stomach which is huge plus for me.
By Me-An.
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I went their for lunch with my colleagues and ordered Katsudon. It came with small soba so made me full. There are many Japanese restaurants in Makati, I, as Japanese, think this is the best Japanese restaurant in Makati. Chirashi zushi is also very tasty with a plenty of sashimi.
Dining area is very spacious and has many tables but it was packed with Japanese and Filipino. But staff are not attentive and not welcoming.
Tsumura comes top of mind when we feel like treating ourselves to a good lunch without walking/travelling far from office. Food is good but service is not consistent. The place is usually packed full thus calling ahead for table reservation is highly recommended. It is a place for occassional treats as it is pricey that among us colleagues, we refer to it as "TSU-mahal" instead of "TSU-mura". Their lunch sets, while pricey, offers good value for money noting the portion size and quality of food. My personal faves are the De Luxe set and Seafood Teppanyaki.
I went here for dinner and ordered what I felt was the closest to their seafood teppanyaki lunch set (see pic, can't remember the name on the menu) and noted that yes, it comes out more expensive than the lunch set. Made a mental note to eat here only for lunch.
Overall, be prepared to spend when you dine here.
Yes it is pricey but if you know your sushi you will understand why. Quality = freshness. They serve nothing but the best quality sushi you can find in the Metro. Sinking your teeth into their dishes you'd think you ate a piece of the ocean in your mouth. It's that fresh and yes, if you are a sushi-lover, you would appreciate it. Sushi chefs pride themselves in their expertise. Whoever the chef in this restaurant is, has years of training.
The interiors aren't as nice as its menu, a bit dirty in my standards but never mind the modern design. Just focus on the menu and the food. If you are at the experiment stage with Japanese food, I suggest you stay away from this place. You might not be able to appreciate the hefty price. However if you know your sushi and are craving to take it to the next level, my advise is to splurge here. You won't regret it!
8 Tuna Sushi and 8 Salmon Sushi. New record for me :D
Definitely one of the best nigiri-zushi I've ever taste. The chef put a balance amount of wasabi, to really complement well with the fish and rice.
Definitely the best authentic Japanese restaurant in the metro. The best salmon sashimi I've ever taste, since having theirs I never got satisfied with any other sashimi(well excluding the fine dine hotels), baked oyster is also the best tasting I've had. Oh and of course the Wagyu beef which is DEFINITELY the best I've ever tasted here in the metro, even better than the other steak house.
Authentic Japanese interior, very nice ambiance, Japanese manager is really accommodating.
The sashimi are at room temperature, not frozen nor cold. Priced reasonably considering the quality of the food, serving portion and service.
Tsumura is one of the more authentic Japanese restaurants I've eaten at in Makati and with that territory comes slightly higher prices. Despite that little detail though, the quality of their food is definitely top notch.
Design-wise, the place is tucked up some stairs by the elevators. It is pretty spacious, with a smoking and non-smoking area and several rooms for a more private dining experience.
Service-wise, I would estimate that in about the 8 out of 10 times that I have dined there, the service was excellent. The other 2 or so off times were when I recall that my group and I were just treated quite unprofessionaly by a rather rude manager. Other than that though, our experience is always a perfect one.
Food-wise, the quality of their dishes and produce is impressive. They have a very wide and assorted menu that may take diners ages to finally decide on what to eat.
They also offer a lunch menu, which I recommend ordering from. The sashimi in their Chirashi bowl (P625) is extremely fresh and certain pieces of fish just melts in your mouth. They have a beef plate (P650) that is actually a very large serving along with the side dishes which makes it perfect for sharing.
Other items such as their ala carte sushi and sashimi orders are fairly priced considering how deliciously fresh they are. Regarding noodle dishes, the ramen is something I would recommend passing on as it is very sub-par and not their speciality. The udon and soba are quite standard and safe options. Everything is pretty high-end and difficult to be disappointed by.
Over-all, I am giving this establishment a 4.5 for all my experiences here. The value for money is definitely there and is a reason why I keep coming back every now and then to splurge on their delicious food.
With entrees priced on average between P300-700, I would agree with previous reviews that this place is "pricey". But I'd argue that it's really good value, so don't let the menu scare you off. Most clientele when we went were Japanese (including an adorable dancing toddler), so surely that's a good sign.
The agedashi tofu is a well-composed dish - not just battered tofu cubes! - with meaty winter mushrooms and grated radish. The tori teppanyaki was wonderfully seasoned, very close to what I loved in one of my favorite grill places, Toritama, in Singapore. For the first time in months I am not homesick for good Japanese food! The grilled mushrooms - again with seasonal ingredients - had a great smoky flavor, so it didn't need the yuzu/soy dipping sauce (nice touch though).
I also loved that it was quiet and tucked away and the service was attentive without being intrusive. This is a great choice if you feel like a splurge and want to be satisfied that you weren't ripped off. You get what you pay for, and in this case the food holds up very well.
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