Quick answer: For a special Japanese dinner, start with Iai, which is listed as a Michelin Guide Selected restaurant in Plateful's Manila list, at the ₱₱₱₱ band. For a casual katsu meal, try Maisen Tonkatsu - Shangri-La at the Fort. For sushi at a moderate price, Sushi Nori BGC High Street South is the record to check. For ramen, use the BGC ramen list.
Plateful has 86 active BGC records with a Japanese cuisine label. This guide uses 11 of them, chosen to cover fine dining, sushi, izakaya, teppanyaki, tonkatsu, and yakitori. It leaves out the ramen and udon counters, which have their own BGC ramen list. The linked records and the BGC Japanese guide were checked on October 18, 2026. Price bands are Plateful's indicators, not promised bills.
The short list
| Restaurant | Start here when you want | Plateful price band |
|---|---|---|
| Iai | Fine-dining Japanese, Michelin Selected | ₱₱₱₱ |
| Kei Maki | Fine-dining Japanese at Verve Tower | ₱₱₱₱ |
| Makanai | A seasonal menu at West Gallery Place | ₱₱₱₱ |
| Teppanya Serendra | Teppanyaki cooked tableside | ₱₱₱₱ |
| Izakaya Geronimo | Izakaya small plates in Post Proper Northside | ₱₱₱₱ |
| Ogetsu Hime | An upscale dinner at SM Aura Premier | ₱₱₱ |
| Sushi Nori BGC High Street South | Sushi with Asian fusion touches | ₱₱ |
| Genki Sushi - SM Aura | Conveyor-belt sushi at SM Aura | ₱₱ |
| Ikoka Yakitori BGC | Charcoal-grilled skewers | ₱₱ |
| Maisen Tonkatsu - Shangri-La at the Fort | Panko-breaded pork cutlet | ₱₱ |
| Yabu: House of Katsu | Katsu at SM Aura Premier | ₱₱ |
Michelin in BGC
Plateful's copy of the Michelin Guide Manila 2026 list, checked on October 10, 2026, places one Japanese restaurant in BGC: Iai. It is in the Selected group. The list does not give it a star or a Bib Gourmand. Plateful also lists the Michelin guide page, which shows Iai in the same group. Other Japanese entries on the list, such as Kodawari (Salcedo) and Umu, are in Makati. The list gives no area for Kei, so this guide does not link it to Kei Maki. The full list is on the Michelin Guide's Manila 2026 page.
Fine dining
Iai is on the ground floor of The Montane on 8th Avenue. Its record describes a fine-dining Japanese restaurant that works through restraint and precision. Kei Maki at Verve Tower describes precise technique and a curated, intimate meal for special occasions. Makanai on 9th Avenue describes a seasonal, considered menu in a refined setting.
Teppanya Serendra cooks at the table on iron griddles, at the ₱₱₱₱ band. Izakaya Geronimo in Post Proper Northside takes the izakaya format into fine dining, with small plates and thoughtful pairings. Ogetsu Hime at SM Aura Premier sits one band lower, at ₱₱₱, and suits a celebratory dinner.
Sushi, katsu, and skewers
Sushi Nori BGC High Street South blends classic sushi with Asian fusion touches at a moderate price. Genki Sushi - SM Aura is a conveyor-belt sushi spot in the mall's lower ground level, also at the ₱₱ band.
Maisen Tonkatsu - Shangri-La at the Fort serves panko-breaded pork cutlets in a mid-range setting. Yabu: House of Katsu on the fifth floor of SM Aura Premier is another katsu option at the ₱₱ band. Ikoka Yakitori BGC in Two Maridien grills chicken and vegetables over charcoal, and it suits a quick solo meal or a relaxed group dinner.
More BGC Japanese
For a wider list, see the BGC Japanese guide, the Japanese cuisine guide, and the BGC guide. For bowls, the BGC ramen list covers the counters this guide leaves out.
What to check before you go
- Hours. Plateful's hours data is not yet verified for every record. Confirm opening hours with the restaurant before you travel.
- Price bands. The ₱ to ₱₱₱₱ scale shows how Plateful places each restaurant relative to the others. It does not include drinks, service charges, or taxes.
- Reservations. For the fine-dining places, ask whether a reservation is needed and whether the menu is set.
- Mall branches. Several picks are in SM Aura Premier or on High Street. Confirm the floor and the branch before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Japanese restaurant in BGC?
There is no single answer. Iai suits a special dinner, Maisen suits a casual katsu meal, and Sushi Nori suits sushi at a moderate price. Choose the occasion first, then the price band.
Is there a Michelin Japanese restaurant in BGC?
In Plateful's copy of the 2026 Michelin list, Iai is the only Japanese restaurant placed in BGC, and it is in the Selected group. It has no star or Bib Gourmand on that list.
Where can I get sushi in BGC?
Sushi Nori BGC High Street South is the moderate option, and Genki Sushi - SM Aura is the conveyor-belt option. The Japanese cuisine guide lists more.
Sources and editorial method
This guide uses Plateful records for names, areas, cuisine labels, descriptions, and price bands. The records were checked on October 18, 2026. The Michelin placement comes from Plateful's Michelin list, checked on October 10, 2026, and the Michelin Guide's Manila 2026 page. The picks are based on the records and the Michelin list, not on reviews or a formal ranking.