October 08, 2025

Kushizaru Japanese Restaurant in Makati: Japanese-Style Izakaya Serving Yakitori & Kushiage

Kushizaru Japanese Restaurant in Makati City is a Japanese-style izakaya restaurant specializing in yakitori (grilled skewers) and kushiage.

IMAGE from Kushizaru Japanese Restaurant – Philippines’ Facebook page

Kushiage is a popular Japanese dish featuring skewered and deep-fried meat, seafood, and vegetables. The ingredients are coated in a light batter, before being deep-fried until crispy and golden.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Yakitori / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

What sets Kushizaru apart is its dedication to freshness and quality. The chicken used for yakitori is processed the same day and sourced from Cartimar, ensuring clean flavors with no unpleasant odor.

Seasonings are kept simple—guests can adjust salt and other condiments to their taste—while the house-made special sauce (tare) is a must-try.

Popular skewers include Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, and Fresh Chicken Thigh (Php 220 for 2 sticks), as well as Pork Belly and Chicken Wings (Php 240 for 2 sticks).

Each chicken thigh and pork belly skewer is generously portioned at 60 g per stick. For variety, order the 5-piece (Php 480) or 8-piece (Php 880) assorted yakitori platters.

The restaurant also offers Shiro Reba Tataki (White Liver Tataki, Php 450 for 3 sticks)—a dish inspired by a Japanese favorite traditionally served as liver tataki. In the Philippines, it’s presented as skewers, letting diners savor its delicate texture and rich taste.

White Liver Tataki / IMAGE from Kushizaru Japanese Restaurant

Aside from kushiage, they also serve Japanese food staples such as fried rice, ramen, curry, fried noodles, sushi, tempura, and even a special Kids Menu for the little ones, ensuring a delightful dining experience for all ages.

The restaurant offers three types of ramen: Shio Ramen (Php 300), Miso Ramen (Php 380), and Tonkotsu Ramen (Php 380). The rich broth, made from hearty miso and ingredients that highlight the natural umami, is both deep in flavor and refreshingly clean on the palate.

Miso Ramen (Php 380) / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

The hand-pulled noodles perfectly complement the soup, creating a satisfying and well-balanced bowl. Guests can also customize their ramen with various toppings such as Ajitama (soft-boiled egg, Php 50), Chashu (braised pork, Php 100), or corn (Php 50) for an extra burst of flavor.

Diners may also partner their ramen with their Gyoza with its crispy exterior and juicy filling.

Gyoza / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

For midday cravings, Kushizaru recently launched a lunch set menu—from tonkatsu to seafood and sushi—available from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., priced between Php 300 and Php 800.

As evening falls, the restaurant transforms into a lively izakaya, open from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (last food order 9:00 p.m., last drinks order 9:45 p.m.).

Whether it’s a casual night out or a special celebration, Kushizaru has three private rooms for up to eight guests each and a larger space accommodating 25–30 people. The entire venue can even be reserved for private events, with no corkage fees for cake.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

With its focus on freshly prepared yakitori, authentic kushiage, and versatile dining options, Kushizaru Japanese Restaurant brings the essence of a true Japanese izakaya to Makati, making every visit a flavorful experience worth sharing.