Tanabe Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Manila

Our dining experience at Tanabe was, unfortunately, the worst Japanese restaurant experience we've had. We made a reservation for 11:00 AM on a weekend after confirming with the receptionist that they open at that time. However, when we arrived at 11:05 AM, the female server informed us that they were not yet open. When my wife pointed out the time, the staff member simply turned her back and walked away.

The restaurant was clearly not ready to receive guests. The receptionist who greeted us appeared unprepared—she was still holding her apron while speaking to us. Inside, the dining staff were still busy with mise en place preparations, and some members of the kitchen team were not even in uniform yet.

We were seated on the second floor at a table by the window. While menus were provided, no one took the time to explain them, even though we could hear the staff casually chatting nearby. Service was inattentive—the same server repeatedly returned just to ask if we were ready to order, and when we said no, she would leave again and continue chatting with her colleague. It would have been more helpful if she had offered assistance with the menu.

My mother-in-law ordered the chicken teriyaki. To avoid causing a scene on my father’s birthday, she didn’t mention that the chicken tasted like it had been stored in a freezer too long—it had an unpleasant, “ilado” (freezer-burn) taste. She's a senior with a sensitive stomach and ended up with LBM afterward. My wife and I both had soba dishes—seafood yakisoba and niku soba—and unfortunately, we experienced LBM as well.

My sister and niece ordered the steak and prawn set; the prawns were not fresh. The chicken karaage was overly salty, and the shrimp tempura was undercooked and still tasted fishy. The sequence of food service was also inconsistent. Despite ordering the yakiniku set earlier, the sukiyaki set arrived first. Please note, the sukiyaki was ordered minutes after the yakiniku by the second group of our party.

The only item we genuinely enjoyed was the complimentary tofu. Our drinks, which should have been served first, only arrived near the end of our meal after multiple follow-ups. The waitress simply said, "Ginagawa pa."

Empty plates and glasses were not cleared promptly, and food arrived sporadically—some of us were already done eating while others hadn’t even been served yet.

We chose Tanabe based on positive reviews, but our actual experience was highly disappointing. We refrained from raising our concerns during the meal so as not to dampen the mood on my...

I have been here multiple times before since this is one of my brother's go-to Japanese restaurant. I can definitely understand why with the quality food, good service and good price.

This time the visit was with my parents, my brother, my husband and me. We were served with delicious complimentary tofu with a great-tasting sauce. My brother ordered the aji tataki for us to start off and it's been a while since I've had this. Beautifully done and very tasty! My brother got the chirashi bowl. My husband and I shared the Gindara kaku bento - grilled cod fish, salad, salmon and tuna sashimi, tempura, miso soup with clams and mango ice cream. For dessert, fruits was the other option. My brother also ordered several chawanmushi for us to share. My parents shared the Nigiri kaku bento. There was so much food. The one down side was the fish in my parents' bento box was a bit tough, unlike the gindara that we had. I would probably recommend the Gindara kaku bento between the 2 bento boxes.

We also had this soup that came in a small teapot. I had missed jotting down the name but you drink the soup from a miniature teacup.

Glad we didn't order more food because there was already lots of...

First and foremost, the quality of the food at Tanabe Japanese Restaurant is outstanding. The sushi and sashimi are incredibly fresh, and each piece was expertly crafted with precision and care. The flavors were delicate and nuanced, showcasing the chef's expertise in selecting the finest ingredients. The menu offered a wide range of options, including both traditional and innovative dishes, allowing me to explore different flavors and textures.

The service at Tanabe Japanese Restaurant was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. They were more than willing to provide recommendations and explain any unfamiliar dishes or ingredients. The waitstaff was prompt in taking orders and ensured that all our needs were met throughout the meal. Their genuine enthusiasm and passion for the cuisine truly added to the overall...