Yamazato’s Nigiri Sushi Counter at Hotel Okura Manila offers the best authentic sushi experience in the city, crafted by sushi specialty Chef Ikuma Sato. The experience is elevated by the premium seafood sourced directly from Japan’s markets and Chef Sato-san’s charming personality and delightful humor, delivered in his endearing Japanese accent. It’s the perfect sushi date—offering the freshest flavors of Japan’s raw seafood, leaving you satisfied yet light. Plan your visit for a weekend lunch, as the counter is open Thursday to Sunday to align with the arrival of fresh seafood from Japan.
About Yamazato
Yamazato 山里 derives its name from two Japanese Kanji characters: “yama” (mountain) and “zato” (village), symbolizing a traditional Japanese mountain village and its rich harvest. True to its name, Yamazato is renowned for its authentic Japanese fine dining, showcasing seasonal ingredients and fresh produce. Established in 1962 at Hotel Okura Tokyo, Yamazato has a rich history of over half a century. It expanded internationally with its first location outside Japan at Hotel Okura Amsterdam in 1971, becoming the first traditional Japanese fine dining restaurant in Europe to earn a Michelin star in 2002. Today, Yamazato brings Japanese culinary excellence and hospitality to venues in Shanghai, Macau, Bangkok, Taipei, Manila, and more, as it continues its global journey with new Okura brand properties.
YAMAZATO JAPANESE FINE DINING
2 Portwood Street, Newport World Resorts, Newport City, Pasay City 
+632 5318 2888 +63 917 818-9868
sushi.chef@hotelokuramanila.com
Hotel Okura Manila @HotelOkuraMNL
hotelokuramanila.com
#YamazatoinManila #HotelOkuraManila
Hiruzen Nigiri Course 昼膳握りコース
Hiruzen Nigiri Course 昼膳握りコース 4,900
11:00am to 2:00pm Thursday to Sunday
The sushi counter offers a more intimate experience, allowing you to interact with the sushi chef as he skillfully and artfully prepares each piece. The chef explains the process, enhancing your appreciation of the craft while you enjoy the sushi. It’s best to savor the nigiri sushi with your hands, consuming each piece in 1-2 bites for the ultimate experience.
Chef Sato showcases a variety of premium seafood sourced from Japan, expertly whetting your appetite with each creation.
Fuji Salmon, Belly Tuna, Middle Fatty Tuna Part
Sea Bream, Flounder, Stripped Jack, White Fuji Salmon
Scallops, Whelk Shellfish, Abalone, Snow crabs
Sweet Water Shrimps, Mantis Shrimps, Squid, Large Prawn
Bonito, Pike
Appetizer 突出し
small dish of the day 本日の小鉢
The Hiruzen Nigiri course starts with a beautifully presented platter of small bites.
We were amazed by the squid with uni from Hokkaido and the yaki imo (Japanese sweet potato) with black tiger shrimp, specially crafted by the chef. The course also included a small serving of maguro tuna as a sushi appetizer and shrimp paired with popping salmon roe.
This is Rache’s favorite drink at Yamazato—their plum wine is exceptional. Slightly sweet with a distinct plum flavor, it’s beautifully served with a whole plum.
Tokyo Mule | Sake, gin, lime juice, sugar syrup, ginger beer 550
It’s refreshing with bright citrus flavors, though its sweetness can subtly influence your taste.
Cherry Blossom | Manchino Sakura vermouth, Rinomato Scuro bitter, tonic water, sparkling wine 780
I enjoy the Cherry Blossom for its sparkling fizz and delicate sweetness, to open up the palate.
Nigiri Sushi
Five pieces of assorted nigiri sushi of the day 本日の特選握り五貫
Each nigiri sushi is meticulously handcrafted, with rice topped with a generous portion of seafood and glazed with a special soy sauce. Watching the preparation was truly appetizing.
Maguro Chutoro 鮪中卜口 | Middle fatty tuna part – Ebime 880
Start off with one of the best cuts—the chutoro, the middle fatty belly of the tuna.
You know it’s special because of the Gari—organic pickled Japanese ginger that cleanses your palate between nigiri sushi. It’s so delicious, it tastes like candy and is surprisingly addictive. We had to ask for seconds—and even more—ang sarap!
Shimaai シマアジ | Striped Jack – Ebime 480
The striped jack had a clean fish flavor.
Fuii Salmon サーモン | Fuji salmon – Shizuoka 370
The salmon nigiri was heavenly, with a slice of salmon three times the length of the rice.
White Fuji Saimon 白富士サーモン | White Fuji salmon – Shizuoka 370
The white Fuji salmon was just as delicious, with its distinctive whitish hue.
Ama Ebi 甘海老 | Sweet Shrimp – Hokkaido 670
I’m not usually a fan of raw shrimp, but this one had a sweet, fresh flavor of the sea.
Oshinogi 御凌
Chawan mushi 茶碗蒸し
Chef Sato-san was constantly smiling and effortlessly funny, like a natural stand-up comic.
The Chawan Mushi was silky-smooth and served hot—comforting after the cold nigiri courses.
Nigiri Sushi
Five pieces of assorted nigiri sushi of the day 本日の特選握り五貫
After the Chawan Mushi break, the next course was served in a bowl, adding a touch of elegance. The 2nd half of the nigiri courses featured the chef’s special and premium creations.
Scallops with Uni
This was the best — succulent scallops and rich clean tasting uni flavors.
Madai 真鯛 | Sea Bream – Ebime 380
Sometimes, the chef feels generous and serves nigiri with two slices of fish.
Shako 蝦站 | Mantis Shrimp – Okayama | 680
Shrimp isn’t usually my favorite, but this one was excellent when lightly seared with a torch.
Anago 穴子 | Simmered conger eel – Shimane 1350
Eel is also my wife’s favorite, and the long anago cut did not disappoint.
I love how each nigiri sushi is handcrafted with the sushi chef’s personal touch.
Saga A5 Beef Wagyu with Uni
They serve the finest A5 Saga wagyu beef, lightly torched and topped with uni—yum!
Soup 椀牣
Miso soup
The miso soup was the perfect ending, cleansing the palate with its warm, satisfying flavor.
Dessert 甘味
Ice cream of the day and assorted fresh fruits
本日のアイスクリーム 季節のフルーツ盛り合わせ
Love a good Ichigo ice cream dessert with fresh fruits like dragon fruit, watermelon, and kiwi.
Final Thoughts
This was the best sushi date ever with my wife, Rache, in Manila! For a moment, we felt transported to Japan, enjoying a variety of fresh seafood sushi, a warm Zen ambiance, and the delightful personality of Japanese Sushi Chef Sato-san. The experience truly felt Michelin Star-worthy. It’s perfect for milestone celebrations, especially for foodies who appreciate an authentic, high-level sushi bar experience in Manila. The lunch menu offers great value for the quality of sushi, but for a more special occasion, try the Kaiseki—a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner—served in the evening. Budget about 6,000/head for lunch.
Congratulations to Chef Sato-san, Eunice, and the Team at Hotel Okura Manila for an incredible Nigiri Sushi Counter experience!
YAMAZATO JAPANESE FINE DINING2 Portwood Street, Newport World Resorts, Newport City, Pasay City +632 5318 2888 +63 917 818-9868 sushi.chef@hotelokuramanila.com Hotel Okura Manila @HotelOkuraMNL hotelokuramanila.com
#YamazatoinManila #HotelOkuraManila
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Disclosure: This article was written entirely by 100% human, with my own biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. You can order extra nigiri sushi if you want seconds—just check the menu!
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