Nice authentic japanese food and good overall service! A must go-to place for your japanese food cravings
I always bring my friends here and my nephew vince..his favorite torikarage and kanimaki and he loves to watch how to make his order kani maki. the food is great and hontoni sonna takai kunai..sugoii oishii desu..matta tabe ni ikimasu.
My Boyfriend and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary here because we both love Japanese food. I must say authenticity of every meal is the main reason why they are rated as the No. 1 Authentic Japanese restaurant in Manila. I love their Nabeyaki Udon. We also purchased their house tea which is the Genmaicha. Honto Oishi desu! ☺
one of the best japanese restaurant I've ever been! nice tofu and california maki! so tasty �
also the environment is good!
They are legit japanese resto. Try eating at their 2nd floor, They have the low japanese table to add to the experience
Good customer service, nice crew and staff and of course yummy foods specially my fave tuna sashimi, super loved it!
My all time favorite Japanese Restaurant. Authentic but reasonable price. Their sashimi and sushi are one of the best!
David Rufo Esmillo III
+5
Authentic Japanese food and very good and nice place very accommodating service recommended approved
its like eating in tsukiji market, good price its really an experience
One of best japanese food n natikman k.at affordable pa ang presyo kayang kaya sa bulsa at mababait pa ang may ari. kaya anu pa inaantay nyo tara kain tau don... im sure pa ulit ulit pa kau kakain don... i love Yutaka Izakaya Japanese Food..
Just love the food....authentic japanese resti na pang masa ang presyo....
Genuine Japanese taste! Best value for money Japanese restaurant for me :)
Love this. It's my go to when I want some Japanese food near my house
Me and my husband and our friends have been a fan of this restaurant for several years. Best jap resto in QC
very good sushi.... owner is sometimes the one preparing the sushi..... tempura is good..... ramen ok but few selections....service is good and place is clean
First time to visit this place and will definitely be one of our go-to-Japanese restaurants! The place is clean and the staff are accommodating.
Their thick-sliced Salmon Sashimi is so good that we ended up ordering another set. The California Maki has a subtle sweet and sour taste which makes it delicious, the Nabeyaki Udon which is a Chef recommended dish has a simple and balanced flavor which we really enjoyed, and the fresh Uni Sashimi that just melts in the mouth.
Verdict: A real value-for-money restaurant. Thus, We ❤️❤️❤️ this place!
Paul Oliver Layug Vergara
+5
A hole-in-the-wall along Aurora blvd. This restaurant gives you an ambience befitting a Japanese restaurant. Food is very good and you can avail it at an affordable price.
A must try. I highly recommend Butateriyaki and Salmon Maki to be dined upon at their upper floor.
Renee Cantos- Macatulad
+4
A hidden gem along Aurora Blvd in Santa Mesa. We’ve been coming here for over a decade and quality has remained consistent through the years. I suggest ordering their Torio Gunkan Maki, Tempura Tentoji Set, Maruten, Agedashi tofu and Nabeyaki Udon. Winners in my book.
Since it's been 10 yrs(college days)the last we ate here and wanna try if the taste or quality of their food is still the same. We love all the food we ordered except for gyudon, the gyudon is dry and we requested to add an egg on it, gyudon in nemoto and soru izakaya is better than here in yutaka, nevertheless, everything's good and i love the salmon roll. Their sashimi is very traditional japanese style compared to modern sashimi served in other japanese restos. :)
Super fan of Japanese food. Hence, we were thrilled to have found one of our go-to-Japanese restos. It never disappoints! Staff are super nice as well. More importantly, super sulit!❤️❤️❤️
words cant do justice on how im obsessed with this restaurant 😂
this is the ONLY japanese resto throughout pinas that I think is genuinely authentic.
MUST ORDERS:
👉🏻salmon sashimi
👉🏻ebi tempura
👉🏻california maki
almost everything really🙏🏻
dont forget to request for their addictive tea as well 😉
ps. i didnt really care about the quality of their service as long as the food is so much worth it 🔥
Jomarie Ang (Eat Drink Splurge)
+4
Last September, I went on my mandatory 5-day leave. I started off the week with a 3D2N trip with my mom to Tagaytay, and on the last day (Friday) of my week-long leave, my mom and I decided to visit my sister at work.
I have always been curious about Yutaka Izakaya, as I know some people who swear their food is authentic yet affordable. Tucked beside UERM, this hidden gem is the place to be when craving for Japanese food! 😉 We got there at around 11:15 AM, and there weren't much customers yet. Here's what we got:
FOR SHARING:
✅ SALMON SAHSIMI (Php 367) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I've always gauged Japanese restaurants' authenticity by their salmon sashimi, and I was thrilled when I took a bite of Yutaka Izakaya's version. Fresh and sweet, it was evident that their sashimi were of high quality salmon, with nice fat layers. I also appreciated that they were chilled, but not frozen. My ultimate fave sashimi!
✅ GYOZA (Php 218) - ⭐⭐
We usually enjoy a good, meaty gyoza, but Yutaka's gyozas are too oily for us. While the meat was of the right proportions, it was simply too greasy to be enjoyed on its own. Good thing there were rice and noodles to cut down on the oiliness.
✅ FOR ME: KAIJIRU (Php 96) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Miso soup with lots of clams? Yes please! 😍 For less than 100 pesos, this bowl of goodness has great value for money. The umami, piping hot miso soup, with sweet, flavorful clams, is surely something I'll get again next time. Perfect way to start an awesome meal!
✅ FOR ME: ZARU SOBA (Php 152) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love noodles, but finding the weather too warm for a good bowl of ramen? Zaru Soba is your best bet! Cold buckwheat noodles with dipping sauce, it's the perfect noodle dish for this warm weather. The noodles are firm and the dipping sauce has just the right amount of flavor, making this dish refreshing and easy to eat. 😉 Serving size is quite big, too!
✅ FOR MAMA: YAKINIKU SET (Php 306) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bite sized beef in a sweet-salty sauce, with vegetables on the side. Yakiniku has become more popular in the recent years, and Yutaka Izakaya's version is not bad at all! The beef was tender, and since they were cut to bite sized pieces, it was easy to chew. The sauce was well-absorbed into the meat as well. This comes with a cup of Japanese rice and a bowl of miso soup.
✅ FOR ACHI: GYUDON (Php 232) - ⭐⭐⭐
My sister also got a beef dish, with thinly sliced, bacon-like beef strips, on top of steaming hot Japanese rice. She found the beef to be a bit bland though, and she wished there was more sauce so the beef wasn't too dry.
Their food is best paired with the house tea, so make sure to request for it. 😉 The ambiance was nice, even if the place looked a bit old. They have bar seats available, so you can watch the chefs prepare your sushi! Yum!
Also, it's a good thing we came early. The restaurant was packed during lunch time! If you're looking for a place to have an affordable Japanese food fix, Yutaka Izakaya is the place to be. Make sure to come early to get seated right away, though! 😁
#EatDrinkSplurge
A little izakaya place serves authentic Japanese delights from fresh sashimi to great ramen! The staff are friendly and the kitchen quick. I like their tuna sashimi, and chirashi special best:)
Their salmon sashimi is one of the best for me. My favorite japanese restaurant! We try to visit this restaurant during weekdays so there’s less people dining.
we ordered nigiri sushi, saba battera and unaju. nigiri sushi was delicious, it's just that the wasabi in each nigiri is too much 😂 the saba battera was delicious too, but i think it's too salty compared to what i've eaten in japan. the unaju was...superb.
One of the best and most authentic japanese restaurants. I have ever been to.
Upon arrival, you are given a warm towel, which gives you a sense of relief and relaxation.
I ordered their chirashi special.
All of them food items were savory and delicious.
10/10 would recommend them when i bring friends.
It's our first time to visit this authentic Japanese restaurant named Yutaka Izakaya which is located near our vicinity and we didn't get the guts to give it a try before.
My verdict:
Price:❤❤❤❤ Reason: Usually Japanese restaurant in Philippines will cost you a lot of money, but this restaurant is an exception
Place:❤❤❤❤ clean and organized.
One of my top loved Japanese restaurants when it comes with balancing quality, service, price and place. It's not too salty, too sweet, too oily in one bento/set meal. Their sushi is just fine; well, its balance with the price. Plus, the ambiance is just fine, minimal and comfortable like the side walk restaurants in Osaka.
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Food 3.5/5
Ambiance 4/5
Value for Money 5/5
Customer Service 4/5
My Mom and I went to this place because of its convenience. It was just in front of UERM and a 5 minute drive away from our house.
The place felt homely and very traditional. They have a second floor where you can eat kneeling down like the Japanese but the air-conditioner wasn’t working during that time so we stayed on the first floor. You can see how they prepare your sashimi and sushi’s. The chairs were comfortable but the tables were too close to each other, it was kind of awkward especially when someone stares at you while you eat. Staff were nice and accommodating.
We ordered Kani Salad for appetiser, too much mayo though. And no Kewpie mayonnaise available. Ebi Tempura good for 2 people, it was too oily and the Tempura sauce wasn’t so tasty. Special Cali Maki it tasted ordinary but okay. Sashimi Set my Mom loved it, the fish were fresh, and it comes with a rice and miso soup on the side. Champong which was their best seller was so delicious, it had crab sticks, squids and clams. The soup was very creamy and tasty. They also had rice tea in the house very refreshing.
Great food and value for money! We celebrated the Recognition Day of the kids here and we fit in the small function room where we sat on a Japanese table with pillows. 😀🤩 A Japanese-style experience.
Great menu:
Katsudon - filling
Tonkatsu Ramen - my daughter can eat the whole serving
Sukiyaki-don - very tasty
Tempura Set - first to finish
Kani salad - was just ok
Gyudon - just ok
Makkimi mix - ok
My daughter love the place because of her Japanese craze and we are already planning our next visit.
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A small, beautiful find of a resto hidden just along a busy boulevard. It's definitely a great experience for me. The food here is affordable, and my personal favorites are the bento set and the sashimi boat~
Eating here, it really gives you an authentic Japanese feel with the shop's interior (especially the second floor) and the staff being very accomodating with their warm Japanese vibes. The chef is of course, a Japanese, so it's what makes the way of cooking the food all the more traditional and real.
If you want something other than ramen, I definitely recommend this place. I think what really highlights the shop is their freshly served, delicious salmon sashimi :) This is the get-to-go and once in a while place to treat when there are occassions to spend this experience with your family ❤️
I'd give it a 5 however the only problem I have is that there are lots of mosquitoes because where the resto is located, there are lots of plants outside so I think that's where they came from 😂
Came here with Sonny Lee and my family 💗 Remember that sake? 😜
Upon entering the place, it feels you are just eating in your home. Love the homey ambiance. It feels so relaxing
The taste of the food is good and the price is cheaper compare to other jap restaurant i’ve been to
If you just want to satiate your jap food cravings, better to eat here if you are just along sta.mesa or aurora blvd.
Yutaka Izakaya not only has good food but also cool space in its 2nd floor. They have an area where you eat while sitting on the floor, #Japanese style. うごいね。
Lighting inside is not that good though for instagram. 😁
Good place for family and friends.
One of the best-valued Japanese Resto I've been so far.
Tempura and Cali Maki are awesome!
Rowena Wendy Lim Lei
+3.5
We go to Yutaka Izakaya a lot for a quick and reasonably priced lunch. Last time we went was 2 days ago. I noticed the place got a bit of a facelift. They also got snazzy new menus and everything listed increased by around P30 price-wise. The place is owned by an elderly Japanese dude who's usually by the sushi counter.
Anyway we ordered Futo Maki (P229 for 8 pcs) to share. Their Futo Maki is satisfactory and quite filling. There are times we each have an order for lunch.
I ordered their Gyoza Set (P233). I remember this used to cost P195 before. Anyhow you get 5 pcs of gyoza, a bowl of miso soup, steamed rice, and some shredded cabbage with dressing on the side. The gyoza is pretty okay and makes for a nice lunch. Hubby ordered the Katsutoji Set (P220) which is tonkatsu with egg, rice, and miso soup. Good value for money and satisfying as well.
Eating at Yutaka Izakaya will set you back at least P250 if you just ordered a meal with no extras (meaning no sushi, appetizers, or dessert). Taste is okay to a bit above average, so overall it's okay. I can't even count the number of times I've eaten here since it's conveniently located near where I work.
Too much mayo on the california maki. I love their shrimp tempura! Perfect breading and seasoning on the shrimp! I tried the katsutoji set, i wasnt very happy coz i just dont like thinly sliced meat with panko.
Marc Christian Chua Sy
+3.5
My girlfriend and I ate here last Friday, we were amazed by the ambiance (2nd floor) because it really resembles a traditional Japanese restaurant. We ordered california maki (taste typical), okonimayaki (sauce on top was a little bit salty), salmon sashimi (can't resist eating since it taste so good), uni gankun (it was a wow! It taste fresh but this made me sick the next day, sad..) and tempura set (tempura batter was nicely done). To sum up, food was good and affordable. Service was fine.
Been going to this place since I was in college. And mind you, I wanna go back so bad. The food is so good and the staff is very accommodating.
This place is definitely one of the best places I've been to around QC. 👍🏼❤️👍🏼❤️👍🏼
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In this Aurora Boulevard area there aren't many unique food stops to go to. Most of the restaurants are situated in the malls around. For a different vibe and authentic Japanese, Yutaka Izakaya should be on your must visit list. A senior Japanese is around, facilitating and most of the time working on the sushi counter.
The sashimi platter solved all our craving. As it was presented well, it also made a fresh taste impression. Go ahead and add more wasabi as their version is on the light side. Feel free to place it on top of the tuna, salmon, scallops, prawn, mackerel, squid or even the uni.
Pardon my almost empty Sukiyaki shot as I forgot to take a photo of it full. When we asked if staff can portion it for us, they declined. They admitted that owner refuses for preference purposes. Is it a Japanese way? Anyway, this sweet soup was wonderful with its strips of beef lean and tender.
For dessert we had the Ice Cake. It's layers of graham and mango, sweetened with chocolate and has vanilla ice cream on top. This one was a good deal at Php 70 only.
Desinie Hermano-Esguerra
+4
Great value for your money. Good food portions. Friendly staff! Serving time is prompt. Fresh japanese food at affordable prices. Surely will be back for more.😁
Everything is very good specially the maki is one of my favorites. The prices are reasonable and budget friendly for me it is a good japanese restaurant to visit.
For sure i will comeback for more
Value for money, authentic, great service and nice place. This place is best for everyone who enjoys japanese food. The range of japanese food extends from short orders, noodles, sushi and sashimi platters to desserts. Will definitely go back with the family! Thanks!
Justine Ericka Castillo
+4
I loved how the food was served to us.
Their dining plates and cups were nice. Japanice. 🤔 the serving is grand and by the looks of it, it seems that we get more than what we paid for.
We ate on the second floor so we get to see and experience the traditional dining set up upstairs. It feels so classy yet homey as well.
Food:
Ramen: 3/5
- the broth is good but nothing out of ordinary. I didn't like the noodle but this was just a preference. I hope they have that thin and slightly rough noodle. (What's that called?)
Salmon sashimi: 4/5
- everything salmon tastes wonderful! Two things to point out, however, are the sauce & the slices of salmon. But again, this might be just a preference. sauce is just plain soy sauce unlike in other jap restos I went to. I also prefer thinly-sliced salmon.
Tonkatsu set: 5/5
- this is so far my favorite on the menu. I like how the meat was done. I really like the sauce as well. It's also sulit for its quality and serving.
Ice cake: 4.5/5
-yum!! But very small serving. I liked the ice cream on top. My favorite is the strawberry syrup!! I didnt like the bread (i think it's only graham and condensed milk?) but mangoes in the middle saved it.
Gyudon: 4/5
- sobrang sarap but not the best i've had. :)
I'm a regular customer of Yutaka Izakaya. I just love this place so much! Crews are nice, and even Izakaya is very nice and humble too. The food is just amazing for the price. I love that their bite size makis, to be specific, their salmon maki. It's 12 pcs for only 200 pesos! You can also ask for a half order for half the price (lol I mean others' price is still more than half of the original price), so I order half uni and half salmon for around 210 I think. Their sukiyaki and tempura are amazing too, and I also love their chriashidon. It's one of the cheapest chirashidon but it's good! I go here thrice a month lol. Must try!
Food - 3.5
Service - 3.5
Ambiance - 4.5
We went here expecting an affordable meal because of its location. Some items were a hit and some missed on this aspect.
Recommended:
- chicken kare (P230): for me this was the most affordable item that we ordered based on its price and taste
- tofu steak (P170): not the usual breaded tofu, this was served in a sizzling plate with Bonito flakes on top
Not recommend:
- Tempura (P360): price is a bit similar to other Japanese restaurants but the shrimps here were too small
- Wagyu steak (P599): meat doneness was cooked correctly but lacked flavor. Serving was also only 125 grams
There is a nice traditional seated on the floor setup on the second floor :) but there's only 1 or 2 servers available there
Thank you very much for being affordable
And very nice parking, i now have a reason to be in sta Mesa every now and then, keep up the good work and good service
Love the food and fast service. Afforable Japanese food with ample parking space. Will definitely be back to try out their other dishes.
FAVORITE!!! This place never disappoints! We always order the usual which we never get tired of! Kani salad, ebi tempura, tonkotsu ramen, salmon maki 🍤🍣🍜 + a glass of Coke to dissolve raw salmon 👻 (which is of good quality btw)
This resto is Japanese heaven without having to break the bank 💸😊
I really enjoyed my dining experience here! It's a small restaurant just beside UERM and you won't notice it that easily. Upon entering the restaurant, friendly staffs will assist you on your seat and will give you a hot towel. Staffs are very friendly, courteous and knowledgeable.
We ordered the maki platter set B and a yakisoba. They really do serve authentic japanese food and it's not that expensive compared to other Japanese Restaurants. I really loved everything that's served in front of me, all fresh and served hot. It is a place where you get what you have paid for. I will definitely come back in this restaurant to try other foods in their menu :)
must try: california maki, shrimp tempura, gyudon, chicken katsudon, special california maki
My-Food-O-Meter:
taste: 3.5/5
price: 4/5
service: 4/5
affordable japanese restaurant. not a fancy place but the food is very good.
Maria Donna Ysabel Javier
+4
One thing for sure I Love this Place and will never get tired of it EVER. I love the food, i love the place and I love the staff.
A must try will be their sushi and sashimi mix platter, a real value for your money. I also love their Donburi dishes esp the katsudon and gyudon , my kids love the tempura set and my mom thinks the tonkatsu kare is to die for. Also their Champong taste delish.... i dont recommend the kani salad but aside from that everything taste great. They have a friendly staff and they are always ready to serve and assist you anyway they can.
Eat here almost once a week.... Since I live so close. Me and my boys always get the tuna and salmon... Some days if ur lucky in the week they get the fresh shipments... Noticed Wednesday's or Thursday. But for sure my go to sushi place for the week... 💯
I work and used to study near the place so I'm pretty much familiar with everything they can offer. Decent Japanese dishes from their rice toppings and bentos, to their makis and sushi. The quality of their rosu and ramen are not at par with the specialty Japanese restaurants though. But nevertheless a great place to enjoy good food for lunch or dinner. They also deliver near their area and also has a branch in Taft.
One of our family's go-to japanese restaurant. The owner is japanese and their staff are all friendly. Their food is yummy plus the price is just right. They also have a variety of bento box for set menu with dumpling, tamago, chicken, shrimp, rice and miso soup.
I ordered the Ajitama Tonkotsu (with hard noodles) since it was the most reviewed and has the chef's recommendation and Gyoza. The ramen itself was okay.. A little too salty for my taste buds. I liked the gyoza!
Yutaka Izakaya is a great place to eat for some really good and affordable sushi. It's location is right off Aurora in Sta. Mesa, but it's situated in a place that doesn't seem like there would be a Japanese restaurant. It's right on the street but not that noticeable.
Their sushi is very good and tastes fresh, though you won't find a wide variety of fish on the menu. Personally, I'm a hamachi and saba type of guy. Too bad neither are on the menu, but their uni is really good. I'd actually recommend going there just for that.
The prices are very reasonable too. I mostly order sushi, and for about 500 I usually get full off 3 orders of different sushi. The staff is nice and the ambiance is low key. It's a great place to go for some casual dining with friends if you're ever in the area.
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A really good Japanese restaurant! This place is owned by a Japanese man and he is also the one who prepares your sushi and sashimi orders!
The location of the resto is odd cause it really doesn't have any other restos around it. I've been seeing it and saying we should try it. Then finally, someone I know actually said it was good.
I finally tried it last week. Place is pretty big and they get full during lunch!
They don't have a wide variety of makis like other Japanese restaurants do. The sushi and maki selection is decent. They also have an option for number of pieces of sushi and a corresponding price.
Their uni was nice and fresh. The Uni Sushi was awesome. Although it looked small, it bursts with flavor and uni upon biting it. It was a real treat for an uni lover like me!
The Sukiyaki Udon was really good! I found it a bit odd for my sukiyaki to have udon for noodles... but it turned out I really liked the udon. In fact, I seem to like it more than the original sukiyaki glass noodles. I also really liked their Sukiyaki because it must be the first one I've had here in Manila which wasn't too sweet! :D
Price is reasonable, servings are big, good quality food too. Very good value for your money!
Definitely looking forward to my next visit! 😊
I've been going to this restaurant almost every month since its revamp a couple of years ago. Now it uses the 2 stories in the building it is in. It very clean and the staff are accommodating. They always greet you when you arrive and thank you when you leave. The food is DIVINE, I don't know how anyone could compare it to a 3rd rate Japanese poser resto as Teriyaki Boy. We always come to eat here when we can. The prices are affordable, well worth it if you are really into Japanese food.
When craving for Japanese food, I recommend you trying Yutaka Izakaya. As one of my "go-to" restaurants, this place serves only the best. The food is great and they have friendly service. As you enter Yutaka in a cold weather, servers will immediately approach you and offer a warm towel. They attend quickly to the requests of the customers even though if the place is full.
It is a nice place to eat at anytime of the day. Donburi would be perfect for a meal and i recommend you trying their Gyudon. Also, their sushi are great to eat with it. I usually order the California Maki. This alone would be my perfect meal. On some occasions, I order Salmon and Tuna Sushi and they never fail to amuse my taste buds. Truly, a good place to dine so you should try here some time!
I must say that this is one of the best and affordable japanese restaurant in Q.C. Their foods are superb and worth every single penny that you paid for it. Also, I love the ambiance of their restaurant especially the second floor and their employees are very nice and friendly.
This is one of if not the best Japanese Restaurants I've ever visited! The food is authentic and the ambiance (especially upstairs) sets the mood really well. Highly recommended!
Wierd no one has written any reviews.. anyways.. this place is great for gathering, meetings, and get together with friends to kill time. About the food, just the same taste as teriyaki boy and it's very affordable. (Picture compilation)
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