Best Japanese Restaurants in Tagaytay City

Everyone who would visit Tagaytay City would always go for Bulalo to warm them up in a cold foggy day. Though it is indeed a top choice for the visitors, a portion would still go for something else to try. With that, here are the best Japanese Restaurants in Tagaytay City (with an honest review) that you must try on your next visit in the town.

Aozora Japanese Restaurant

Aozora Japanese Restaurant has three branches in Tagaytay City. One is located near Southridge Village along Tagaytay-Calamba Road, at the Country Club in Tagaytay Highlands and the other is located across Country Suites.

The Food

For the food, I’d give Aozora Japanese Restaurant a 4 out of 5. Their menu offers a variety of Japanese food from salad, ramen, sushi to sashimi, yakitori and donburi. However, the serving is pretty small for me considering its price. The presentation itself would appetize anyone who sees it and the taste does not disappoint! I could have given it a three due to its price and serving but the taste really deserves another point. Serving takes a little while but the food is definitely worth the wait.

The Place

Each branch offers a different dining experience due to its location. In my case, I have only visited the Tolentino West branch (near Eco Containers Hotel). It has a minimalist industrial interior design. It can accommodate small to big groups of guests as they also have tables outside for al fresco dining. It has just enough parking space for the number of guests that the restaurant could accommodate.

Hirasei Japanese Restaurant

There are two Hirasei Japanese Restaurants in Tagaytay City. One is located inside La Bella Tagaytay and the other one is along Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway.

The Food

What I love about Hirasei Japanese Restaurant is their food presentation. They serve the food in Japanese earthenware bowls and plates and the way they put the food on it is just so extra. The presentation seems so grand that you would think they got really big serving. Well, the ramen and the Golden Dragon Maki may serve those with big appetite well but generally, their have a small serving. If there’s one food in the menu that they are best for, it’s their sashimi. Considering the price, serving, taste and presentation, I’d give it a 4 out of 5.

The Place

Another thing that I love about Hirasei Japanese Restaurant regardless of the branch is their interior. It really does give off a Japanese vibe as they also offer Zashiki dining (Tagaytay-Nasugbu branch). Zashiki is a traditional Japanese dining where everyone gathers around a Chabudai, a short-legged table; and sits on the tatami. It has an inviting sushi bar and the whole place is decorated with paper lanterns. The interior design makes the dining experience more fun and authentic for me!

Parking space isn’t much of a problem when visiting the La Bella branch since the place itself has ample parking slots. The latter, however has a limited one since it is situated just beside the highway.

Zushi Me Lake View

Zushie Me Lake View is honestly my number one go-to Japanese Restaurant in Tagaytay City due to its location and price. It is located near the Rotunda and it provides a really good view of the Taal lake.

The Food

What I love about Zushi Me Lake View is their big serving. A small group of three with a big appetite especially for Japanese food (i.e. my friends and I) could spend around Php 1,500 to Php 2,000 and would really be full and satisfied. The menu includes everyone’s top Japanese food favorites such as ramen, sushi, salad, sashimi and donburi. They’ve got a pretty good range of flavor selection for the sushi and ramen but limited on the other dish styles. Regardless, they still do taste good! Must try in their menu are, of course, their ramen and sushi. I personally love the presentation of their sushi. Thankfully, the taste is also a winner! This makes it a 4 out 5.

The Place

The whole place has a warm and cozy vibe with the Japanese paper lanterns and artificial Sakura around. One of its corners offers a view of Taal lake which makes the dining experience even better.

It may be seated beside the highway but the rush of the city from the outside could not be felt. The only problem with the place is the parking area. Since it is situated along the highway and there are other establishments adjacent to it, its parking usually gets full especially on weekends.

Japanese Restaurants in Tagaytay City, In a Nutshell

These Japanese Restauraints in Tagaytay City uniquely offer something that you may look forward to on your next visit in the town. It could be the place, a particular food in the menu, the price or the serving. For me, they are indeed the must try’s.

Which of these have you tried already? How was your experience? Tell us about it!