8 Japanese Places to Eat and Drink if You’re an Introvert

Did you know that the metro is dotted is with Japanese eateries where you can go if you value your solitude? These restos and cafe are an introvert’s go-to place since minimal interaction is made or designed with individual seating so you won’t feel the pressured to make small talk or even share a table with strangers. If you’re the type to enjoy a table for one, here are eight places to eat and drink if you’re an introvert:

Yayoi 

Yayoi is an introvert-friendly restaurant that serves an ideal and balanced Japanese meal. They are known for their ordering system where you can order via a tablet installed on the tables without having to talk to anyone. They have ramens, sushi, and gyoza, but their best sellers are Sukiyaki Teishoku (Php 595), a beef hotpot that comes with assorted vegetables stewed in sukiyaki sauce. Another is Namban Teishoku (Php 395), a fried chicken steak with a signature Yayoi dressing.

YAYOI BRANCHES: SM Megamall, MOA, BGC, M1 Tower, and SM North Edsa. You may also visit their website yayoi.com.ph.

Patchimon Ookini

Patchimon Ookini in Makati is popular for its solo-booth style of dining. You get to eat in an individual booth  curtained off from the front. Each booth has its set of  condiments and a laminated ticket with a menu on it. To order, you’ll need to ring a bell, give a ticket, and you’re all set. Their menu consists of sets meals starting at Php 445 with dishes like karaage, katsudon, and sashimi, which all come with free unlimited miso soup and rice. You can try their best sellers which are the Patchimon, pork shougayaki set, and Karaage, deep fried chicken thigh set.

ADDRESS: Pent House, Creekside Building, Amorsolo Street cor. V.A. Rufino. For reservations, contact them thru their FB page.

 Luxin – The Flow

Luxin – The Flow serves high-quality Japanese food like sushi, shabu shabu, and ala-carte meals. With its state-of-the-art conveyor belt, this restaurant is an introvert’s go-to place. You no longer need to ask a crew to have your food served as the food is readily available on the conveyor belt. If you really value your privacy with a budget to spare then opt for their VIP room for a more personalized service. Their must-try is the Luxin Premium Set Menu for the Shabu-shabu set, which you can choose between mixed meat or seafood. 

ADDRESS: UG/F Active Fun Building, 9th Avenue, corner 28th Street, Taguig

Visit their website, www.luxin.ph and FB page.

Yakiniku Like 

Solo craving for authentic yakiniku? Yakiniku Like is the best place for you. They have mini-smokeless grills made for individual diners each packed with condiment sets so you don’t have to ask for it. You can just order through your phone by scanning a QR code directing to their menu. One of their must-tries is the Karubi and Harami Set (Php 359), which is a beef short plate and skirt steak. Another is their beef tongue and skirt steak, called Like Set (Php 589).

YAKINIKU LIKE BRANCHES: SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall. Visit their FB page.

Ramen Wave 

The Ramen Wave is a ramen house made for introverts. You can dine in their ‘shared-focused dining cubicles’ with your friends or just by yourself. They serve affordable Japanese comfort food such as katsu, gyudon, pork bun, and ramen. Their best seller is the Tantamen (Php 380), a balanced spicy-nutty and creamy ramen with minced pork.

RAMEN WAVE BRANCHES: Kapitolyo, Pasig, Marikina Heights, and JP Rizal St. in Marikina. Visit their FB page or check out their website.

Moon Hey Hotpot & Grill 

Feel like treating yourself to an unlimited hotpot and barbeque experience? Then head on to Moon Hey Hotpot and Grill. They have four soup bases that you can choose from plus different meats, seafood, and vegetables to enjoy cooking with. You don’t have to call for a crew when you want to order more ingredients. Instead, there is a large conveyor belt carrying all kinds of goodies you can fill your pot with. Their must-try is the Hotpot and Grill Combo for Php 899.

ADDRESS: 848A Banawe Streete, Quezon City. Visit their FB page.

Mendokoro Ramenba 

Mendokoro Ramenba is the serious ramen place where solo eaters have the advantage of getting seated quickly due to the place’s eat-and-go policy. Lone customers can revel in just watching ramen cooks do their craft while they wait for their order to arrive. Their best sellers include the Shoyu ramen (Php 495), Super Chashu (Php 660), and Miso ramen (Php 560), which you can pair with the gyoza. Some branches even have an off the menu special—you just need to inquire about it. What’s also nice about the brand is how they’ve expanded across the country as well as having a food truck roving to different locations, which can also be hired for private events.

MENDOKORO RAMENBA BRANCHES: Capital Commons, Pasig; Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang; MOA Complex, Pasay; Mitsukoshi Mall, BGC; Salcedo Village, Makati; Oakridge Business Park, Cebu

Visit their website nipponhasha.com and  FB page.

 Arabica Coffee BGC

Arabica Coffee is a place for introverts to enjoy a cup great-tasting brews while reading a book or just people watch from the bar seats by the large open window. What customers would most appreciate is its bean-to-brew philosophy, which they carry in every beverage they make.  Must-tries are the Spanish Latte (Php 225), Matcha Latte (Php 225) and the assorted pastries available. For those familiar with the franchise, customers can also buy exclusive products like coffee beans, tumblers and other kinds of merchandise. 

ADDRESS: 2nd Floor, Mitsukoshi Mall, BGC

Visit ther website arabica.coffee, FB page, and IG account.

Got any other eateries introverts would enjoy? Let us know!

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