Ichiriki Chaya - Cebu City

If you are searching for a great authentic Japanese restaurant, Iiriki Chaya is the place to visit. However, if you are trying to save money, I suggest sharing an order with your date or family member. Our favorite dish is the Kakatsudon curry with Japanese rice and Ebi tempura. I have not found any restaurants in Cebu that compare to them so far. Yes, it may be a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it!

Ichiriki Chaya, (building by the same name Trip Adviser, please note the spelling on the always busy A.S. Fortuna (road) is a hotel, spa centre and restaurant. Entry to the restaurant and spa is via a huge swinging door, which adds to the mystery...beyond. Ground floor restaurant offers tables and chairs, with Japanese-style wall adornments, while upstairs there are hole-in-the-floor tables and cushions for diners, mainly smokers. The atmosphere is quieter and more austere than a noisy izakaya. The wait staff are attentive and friendly and the Japanese owner herself went from table to table to welcome guests. The cuisine is not cheap, but presentation is appealing to the eyes. Favourite would have to have been the aburikatsuo (seared bonito on a bed of onion with ginger ponzu sauce) for taste, while the kaisen misoyaki (a small serve of seafood in a shell mounted on rocks with flames underneath) was a bit of a delight to see at the table. Ichiriki Chaya has the reputation in Cebu as being a more extravagant Japanese restaurant, but for taste and the relaxing atmosphere it is worth it, as the customers will attest, no doubt.

My friends and I went here for dinner after a day on a boat trip. The huge spinning wooden door and entrance are really pretty and almost build suspense to the final arrival in the restaurant. The menu is broad and the food not only...beautifully presented, but also delicious. As there were a lot of us, we all ordered different foods so we could share. This was a great idea as we got to sample a lot of different foods, all of which were really good. Only criticism is that it's quite chilly inside!

I had dinner last night with my Japanese bosses at this authentic Japanese restaurant. I was expecting it to be quite expensive, but I was pleasantly surprised when I checked the menu. They offer dishes ranging from 100php to 500php, with even some more affordable options. Despite having some pricier items, the restaurant also offers San Miguel Light for just 60php. Good food doesn't always have to break the bank, and this place proved it.

I believe this restaurant might have been better in the past, but it is not terrible now, just a bit outdated. The servers are friendly and smile, but they tend to chat with their coworkers. The atmosphere can feel a bit lacking, even with only 2 tables occupied. They also seem unfamiliar with the extensive and confusing menu, but they try their best. The food was fresh and the portions were generous. I had heard it was expensive, but we found it to be reasonably priced. Our group of 3 ordered enough food for 5 people and our bill came out to around p1400, including drinks.