HIRO Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant — Restaurant in Makati

Many are saying that the wagyu is amazing, which I agree with, but I would like to highlight the other dishes as well, such as the Ishi Yaki Niku Meshi (Beef Rice). The rice bowl is just packed with beef flavor, some grains are toasted and crispy from the edges of the bowl, which adds an amazing crunch to it, and the beef toppings are tender and delicious.

The “Sundubu Soup” (Spicy clam soup) is also SO flavorful. Oh my goodness, they are generous with the clams, and the vegetables mesh so well with the soup, too. This is my mom's favorite dish from Hiro. My sister also loves the Jo Tongue, especially its texture paired with some Negi Baka, while my dad personally likes... well, actually, I'm pretty sure he likes everything they serve 🤷‍♀️.

Not only is the taste of the food delicious, but the dishes have beautiful presentation, especially the Premium Moriawase, which I HIGHLY recommend (It’s SO frickin’ good, my family just devours it 😩😩). The dish actually looks like the menu picture, while giving you an array of beef types to eat.

The service is great, too. We’ve never needed to wait since we always reserve. The ambiance is also nice, and I appreciate that they upgraded the tables for a better customer experience. However, the air-conditioning regulation can be improved, as some areas are too warm and some areas are too cold. In the end, though, it doesn’t matter too much since the food is so amazing.

My family and I have been here at least six times already, and the food is worth the money every time, even if the prices fluctuate occasionally. It’s our go-to restaurant for Yakiniku; I definitely recommend trying Hiro.

PS, I am obviously not a professional food critic. I'm actually just a student who was assigned to make a restaurant review, so I picked my absolute favorite...

I’ve eaten here plenty of times and I can’t think of one instance that I was disappointed. I am always in awe of how good their service is. All of the staff are well-trained, respectful, and attentive. If they aren’t attentive, it’s just highly likely that they’re occupied with another customer and/or their requests.

Now, onto the food. The meat selection is ALWAYS amazing. Top-quality steaks are available, with good cuts and marbling. Their wagyu, which is part of their bestsellers, also never lets you down. Once seared, it just melts in your mouth. It’s that decadent. Another favorite of ours is their Tontoro Iberico (Pork Iberico). That meat has changed the way we view pork, and nothing has topped it so far (even a hotpot chain that offers iberico can’t compare, but that’s another review).

I also highly suggest their Tonkotsu Ramen. I still haven’t found anything as creamy and thick as it. Not to mention, just the right amount of flavor, could even be a bland. But it’s so rich, that it’s enough. I recommend getting the half size rather than the full!

The only downside to this place is the price point. It is understandable given the quality and cuts of meat that they have on the menu, but it is undeniably expensive and is not budget-friendly. As sad as I am that I can’t eat here everyday, that’s the truth of it. This is a special-day-kind-of-restaurant.

You should at least try it once to see for yourself. I wouldn’t recommend for weekday lunch with officemates though, unless you want to head back to the office smelling like...

One of the best yakiniku spots in Manila offers high-quality cuts at very reasonable prices. The restaurant consistently delivers top-notch dishes, with highlights including the tongue, Ibérico pork, karubi spicy soup, and fried rice with beef. Having visited over a dozen times, I can confidently say the quality of both the food and service has remained exceptional.

The only minor downside is that the restaurant can get quite smoky at times, which could be improved with better ventilation. Despite this, the overall dining experience is fantastic for yakiniku...