Yutaka Izakaya — Restaurant in Quezon City

The best Japanese restaurant this side of town.

As one of its most loyal patrons it is my pleasure to finally review this hidden gem.

They started off in humble beginnings but that have since then changed.

This is a 100% authentic Japanese restaurant with sometimes even the owners themselves are serving people.

The place has since then been renovated, and gives a very welcoming ambiance. A lot of servers have been with this resto for more than 5 years, which shows how sensei takes care of them.

I’ve already tried most of their menu due to the frequency of my visit here back then, but I will just review the ones we had during this visit.

The tempura teishoku was magnificent, its a bit pricey now compared to before but there is no compromise in the quality. The outer layer of the tempura is crispy, and even the tail is edible. Inside, the shrimp is chewy with the juices bursting.

The Nigiri Sushi was still great value for 450 something pesos. The waitstaff still remember my preference of not serving it with wasabi inside even though its been a while since my last visit. Impressive service! Everything is freshly made on the spot.

All of it was served with their fine tea. Even just the complimentary tea is noteworthy, I never fail to ask for refills.

Most of what I order here are impressive. The only downside dining here is that at most times, you have to queue up for seats, so better arrive early. They will not accomodate reservations.

This is a place that is sure to be added to your regular rotation. I cannot...

QC is fortunate because they not only do they avoid having to go all the way to Little Tokyo, they get a better alternative at that.

The place is definitely authentic and occasionally has Japanese chefs. It is easily comparable to Kikufuji, but at much better quality. Dishes are generally made with better ingredients, feel cleaner, and are well flavored with umami where it should be. Understand that like all casual Japanese restaurants, there are certain dishes you should avoid. Go to this place for rice bowls, sushi, and fish. Do not go to this place for ramen, only ever go to dedicated ramen restaurants for that. There are also definitely restaurants the serve better sushi, although you could hardly complain at this price point. It is also worth noting that typical of some Japanese restaurants, their chefs rarely allow changes or substitutions.

Service is decent and far better than you would experience in Little Tokyo. Staff are well-trained and attentive as can be, although some areas at their upper dining area may be poorly visible from their staff. House tea and service water are free on request. Tables are bussed well and the restaurant has an overall air of cleanliness.

Furniture and layout is otherwise good, and one could appreciate the tatami-style dining you get on the second floor, with low tables and...

Me and my wife went there for a late lunch on a Saturday. It's a nice little place with a cozy ambience. We were welcomed with warm wet towels which is really something nice to wipe your hands clean before you start eating. Considering the place, it was something we didnt expect. The staff is kind and friendly. The house tea is superb. I loved the taste of it. The food options are pretty good and reasonably priced. We were there as my wife had sushi/maki cravings and thats what we ordered. Did not explore the menu much. The maki platter was great. It was infact too much for 2 people. Comes with generous servings of wasabi. We also tried the miso soup and it was hearty and delicious. To wrap it up we shared one serving of green tea icecream and we were not disappointed with that too. All and all, a good experience. And great value for money. We ended up paying about 900 for all the food. Definitely a recommended place for a quick, satisfying and budget friendly...