Kitchen

LIST: Family-Friendly Japanese Restaurants in the Metro

by Kevyn Gohu
March 6, 2025

Almost every Filipino kid loves Japanese food! So, here’s a list of family-friendly Japanese restaurants

Kids love Japanese food because of how colorful it looks. Besides, most kid-friendly Japanese dishes are their preferred cooking method: fried. If the kids can’t have sushi, they’ll enjoy some Tempura, Karaage, curry, and maybe a Donburi for those who want a Japanese take on the beloved Filipino silog meals. So, for those who have a craving for Japanese or need more Japanese restaurants to try, here are some family-friendly ones:

Japanese Restaurants in Quezon City

Most especially along Tomas Morato, there are a lot of Japanese restaurants in Quezon City. Sometimes, they’re so popular that it can be difficult to find good parking. But don’t worry, some Japanese restaurants follow Japanese operating hours, like staying open until three in the morning! So, here are some family-friendly Japanese restaurants in Quezon City:

Japan Fūdo Street

Resembling a Japanese streetside restaurant, Japan Fūdo Street offers various kid-friendly meals and even has a functional Konbini (convenience store)-like store upon entry. While they have kid-friendly rolls like the crispy Shrimp Tempura Roll and the savory Philadelphia Roll, we also suggest trying out their filling Teishoku sets, such as the Gyu Yakiniku Set and the Tonkatsu Set. But for those who want something simple and love seafood, their freshly made Tekka Don satisfies that craving.

Dohtonbori

Nothing whets the kids’ appetite more than live cooking! Known for its multiple branches, Dohtonbori specializes in making a Japanese street food favorite: okonomiyaki. If parents are scratching their heads on how to get kids to eat vegetables then, the Okonomiyaki does the trick with it having a lot of cabbage hidden inside it. The kids can even enjoy it with cheese when they order the 4 Cheese Okonomiyaki.

Currently, the known Quezon City branches of Dohtonbori include UP Town Center and the ground floor of SM North EDSA’s main building.

Octoboy Japanese Takoyaki Restobar

Open until 11 PM, Octoboy Japanese Takoyaki Restobar along with Tomas Morato attracts families with their Eat-All-You-Can promo! Their various sets make the experience more fun as everyone gets to cook different kinds of meats and seafood of their choosing. We can cook steaks, shrimp, snow crab, and even their signature takoyaki balls to our liking, and maybe this will encourage the kids to learn how to cook for themselves!

Besides Quezon City, Octoboy has another branch along EDSA near Mandaluyong.

Yabu

Kids love anything fried, so they definitely won’t say no to Yabu! The katsu-specialized restaurant has several branches around Quezon City, proving just how popular it is. Besides mastering the art of making all things katsu, their unlimited cabbage salad is a good way to meet the veggie quota for the day. Their signature katsu includes their Menchi Cheese Katsu — a mincemeat katsu patty with cheese inside!

Yabu’s known Quezon City branches include Robinson’s Magnolia, Ayala Vertis North, and UP Town Center.

Kimono Ken

While they offer classic Japanese meals, Kimono Ken became popular during the pandemic because of their bento box meals. Made with filling portions of meat, vegetables, and rice, these bento box meals were a godsend for families who couldn’t cook or go out. They also have various Japanese café adaptations like their creamy Uni Spaghetti. But if there’s one thing the kids will like there, it’s their Teriyaki-based dishes like their Teriyaki Chicken or Teriyaki Salmon steak.

Kimono Ken also has multiple branches in Quezon City: one in SM North EDSA and the other along Tomas Morato.

Karayama

The day kids start hating fried chicken means something big is up. So, it’s no surprise that Karayama makes it to the list of family-friendly Japanese restaurants. Karayama specializes in Japanese fried chicken, also known as Karaage. They often come with different sauces and sets, serving them on rice, with curry, and even with heartwarming ramen! In case the family would rather take home, they also sell their karaage in boxes.

Currently, Karayama in Quezon City is at SM North EDSA The Block.

Japanese Restaurants in the Ortigas Area

Although the Ortigas area (including Mandaluyong and Pasig area) is teeming with offices, there are still a lot of family-friendly Japanese restaurants nearby. These usually cater to the families who have kids studying at the schools nearby, like OB Montessori, ICA, Xavier, La Salle, Poveda, and St. Paul. But because these restos are in a school zone, expect a lot of traffic nearby.

Coco Ichibanya

In Japan, curry has always been every kid’s comfort food. A heartwarming stew mixed with vegetables and meat, UCC’s Coco Ichibanya offers its diners some freedom in customizing what kind of curry they’re in the mood for. Besides customizing the spice level, the amount of rice, and even the kind of rice, diners can add extra meat, veggies, eggs, and all sorts of toppings to personalize their curry.

Coco Ichibanya in the Ortigas area is at Greenhills Shopping Center, Connecticut Street along East Drive. It’s near Serenitea and Zus Coffee.

Kimpura

Every family that lives in the Greenhills area will always remember their birthdays or gatherings at either the private room or misono grill at Kimpura. While the older patrons will recall the restaurant being right next to the old Unimart, the younger ones will remember it being at the ground floor of O Square building. It still has the beloved misono grill families grew up with, but their Sukiyaki was one of their best-sellers.

The best part is, Kimpura sometimes has partnerships with banks, so certain credit cards offer discounts.

Iroha

The newly opened Iroha at Greenhills Mall may be a little hidden, but the food meets the price! They have a wide array of Donburi, even serving four different kinds of Gyuudon. They also have some of the more uncommon sashimi donburi like the Maguro Negitoro Donburi and a Maguro-Shake Donburi. But what makes the place extra family-friendly is that they have kiddie meals! Serving them on plates with classic anime characters like Pikachu, Hello Kitty, and Doraemon, Iroha offers karaage, teriyaki chicken, and other kiddie favorites with rice and veggies. Kids even get a free cotton candy if they order the kiddie meal!

100 Curry

Located in the basement of Greenhills Mall, 100 Curry serves a variety of curry and udon-based dishes. At 100 Curry, their curry dishes have fried meats, which they serve in a rice bowl. But they also have some non-curry dishes like their Hokkaido Kaisen Don, which is assorted fried seafood on rice. They also allow diners to customize their curry dishes to their liking by charging by the number of toppings per curry dish.

Tamoya Udon

While they also have a branch in SM North EDSA, Tamoya Udon might be easier to find in Greenhills since it’s literally sharing a space with 100 Curry. In case the family’s split on what they want to eat, at least Tamoya Udon and 100 Curry can cater to various tastes. As the name states, almost all the dishes are served with springy and thick Udon noodles.

Genki Sushi

Novelty is what Genki Sushi brings to the table. With their conveyor belt serving Japanese goodies, it’s no surprise that many families within the San Juan area find the place family-friendly. Besides offering a variety of kid-friendly sushi like their Seared Cheese Shrimp Nigiri and their Seared Salmon Nigiri, Genki Sushi also has different kinds of donburi that aren’t common in most restaurants.

Currently, Genki Sushi is available in GH Mall and Mega Mall.

Konbini Greenhills

It may be a bit farther away from the Greenhills mall area, but it’s worth the travel. Although Konbini Greenhills looks like a Japanese delicatessen, there’s actually a restaurant and dining area within! Serving not just the classic Japanese favorites like Tonkatsu and Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen, they also have sushi, which they serve at a bar like in Japan. The place operates similarly to Japan so as much as possible; clean as you go (CLAYGO)!

Ogetsu-Hime

For the big eaters and big families, nobody goes wrong with a Japanese buffet! Ogetsu-Hime in Mega Mall serves grilled goodies like Steak Teppan, Gyoza, and Okonomiyaki and sushi that’s usually served in more premium restaurants like Uni (Sea Urchin) and Saba (Mackarel). Although they do have ala carte, where’s the fun in that? Unfortunately, the place does tend to get full quickly, so it’s always good to be there early to grab a table.

For those who find Mega Mall’s traffic too hairy, don’t worry! They have a branch in BGC, too!

Japanese Restaurants in the South area (Makati, BGC, Alabang)

With the south commonly being known for its nightlife and home to many professionals and socialites, many of the restaurants in the southern area of the metro are more “date-worthy” than “family-friendly.” However, there are still some Japanese restaurants in BGC, Makati, or Alabang that we’d consider family-friendly. Here are some of them:

102 Izakaya

Located on the top floor of Glorietta near the Omniverse Museum, 102 Izakaya serves platters that families can share. Their Maki Platter and their Special Sushi Platter are colorful dishes we know the kids will enjoy, and if we’re looking for some “safe food” for them, the Tori Cheezy Donburi does quite the trick. Although their menu may look like they only serve the meat dish on its own, they offer the option to make it a set, which includes plain rice or their fried rice, miso soup, a side salad, and a drink!

Kenshin Izakaya

A favorite among the many families who live in the condos at Yakal Street or the Makati-Manila border near the PNR, Kenshin Izakaya is walking distance between three condos: Cityland Makati, The Linear Makati, and Avida Asten. It’s also a favorite among iAcademy’s personnel and students who are looking for a bang-for-buck Japanese fix. But they also have two other branches: one at Makati Central Square and the other at Beacon Towers.

But what’s good to eat there? Besides their ramen, their Mega Karaage, which they serve on a boat, is pretty delicious. There’s also their Takiniku Nabe, which is like a DIY shabu-shabu for those who want a healthy amount of meat and vegetables!

Tsukiji

Owned and run by the Milky Way group, Tsukiji is a permanent fixture for families who spent their lives near Arnaiz Avenue or in San Lorenzo village. Known for serving premium Japanese dishes, Tsukiji offers dishes that aren’t usual on a Japanese restaurant menu. Some of these dishes include the unique Yakiginnan (Grilled ginkgo nuts) and their Chazuke — rice dishes served with broth. But for those who really want a taste of Japan, we say go for the sushi boats!

Tsukiji is currently located on the 3rd Floor, Milky Way Building, 900 Antonio Arnaiz Ave, Makati, 1200 Metro Manila.

Sen-Ryo

Located in Mitsukoshi BGC, Podium, and GH Mall, Sen-Ryo has been considered both date-worthy and family-friendly due to their serving of Japanese dishes with a modern twist. While they do have their seasonal sashimi and sushi like most Japanese restaurants, they have some beloved classics and modern-day ones like the Spicy Salmon Inari and the Shogun Roll. Among the Japanese restaurants, they are one of the few that serve smoked duck, which they’ve styled as a donburi, a nigiri, and even an udon topping!

Saboten

If sushi isn’t really part of the family palate for the day but katsu is, then Saboten fits the bill! Located at Serendra, Saboten has long been serving the families staying at the condos with their crispy and juicy katsu dishes. Besides having good food, the place offers both inside dining and alfresco, which also makes them a pet-friendly restaurant! Our personal favorites include the Tenderloin Tonkatsu and their Rolled Tenderloin Katsu sets!

Sushi Ninja

A Japanese restaurant that’s favored by many in Alabang, Sushi Ninja earned its name for serving “big” sushi, which usually means it takes two bites instead of the classic one. Most of their recommended dishes are salmon-based and are served in different ways, such as poke bowls, tacos, and even fusion rolls. But don’t worry, they have some traditional Japanese recipes also if we’re not feeling too adventurous!

Currently, Sushi Ninja is at Westgate Center, The Serenity Place, Westgate Center Filinvest Ave, Muntinlupa, 1770 Metro Manila.

Why Do Kids Love Japanese Food So Much?

Kids love Japanese food because of how colorful and novel it is for them. The sushi’s bright colors show how fresh they are, and it looks a lot cleaner than the typical stews and dishes they see in Filipino cuisine. Also, kids don’t get to eat Japanese food often. Unless we have a Japanese cookbook or devoted ourselves to mastering Japanese cuisine, Japanese food isn’t common fare at home. Besides, typical kid-friendly dishes like Okonomiyaki, Gyoza, and Katsu are time-consuming to make, despite how common they are in Japanese restaurants.

So, until we make the time to learn how to cook Japanese food at home, these restaurants can satisfy our cravings!