One of the main reasons to go to Makati Cinema Square isn’t just ukay-ukay hunting or going bowling. It’s also home to Osaka Manmaru, a Japanese izakaya franchise that has gained a strong following of Japanophiles and JAFAMs (Japanese foreigners assigned in Manila) due to its wide range of affordable Japanese dishes served in a casual and lively ambiance.
When passing by the western side of Makati Cinema Square along Fernando Street, you’d usually see said local izakaya lined up by patrons and newbies, especially at night, ranging from couples and big groups, just waiting to get a table inside.
So, imagine the joy we felt when the restaurant teased that it would be opening a second branch along Tomas Morato. Northerners or rather Quezon City folks and neighboring cities will soon get to enjoy the izakaya’s tasty bar-style dishes and offerings without driving all the way to Makati City.
One popular draw of the restaurant is its ambiance where one would feel like you’re transported to an actual izakaya in Osaka or even Tokyo. If you haven’t been to this popular Japanese eatery, here’s the visual and feel of the place: walls are decorated with names of dishes in Japanese characters while the staff busily take orders, deliver dishes, and hurriedly bus out dirty plates ready to take on the endless stream of customers. The restaurant has reputed itself to be go-to for eating Japanese food staples like sashimi, sushi, Maki, ramen yakitori, donburi, teppanyaki, and ramen, catering to small and big gatherings.
Osaka Manmaru is an original Japanese franchise with branches in Osaka, Tokyo, Saitama, Kyoto and Fukuoka with international branches in Vietnam and Philippines.
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