Absolutely delicious! I ordered the Spicy Ramen and my fiancé had the Tonkotsu Ramen and we both completely finished our meals feeling satisfied. The star of the show, however, was the gyoza, it came with this crispy coating and was incredible.
Staff are vibrant and kind and the prices are reasonable. We hope to return to try the sushi because the entire restaurant just smelled authentic and fresh!! The ramen spoons are a cute touch too!

– Samantha Poch

I had the privilege of experiencing the Japanese hospitality and cuisine excellence through Maiko Izakaya Restaurant.

Ms. Liza and her team made the hospitality experience be at its A+ game! They made the experience a whole lot better. Kudos to them!

Food-wise, my friends and I ordered the Spicy Ramen, Tonkatsu Ramen, Gyoza, and today's special: Aburi Sushi. The spicy ramen offers a mid-spice level in which I asked for a chili powder to add another kick, but the taste, it was spectacular. The broth was filling, creamy, and rich. You can taste the various flavors playing in every sip of the broth. Thus, complimented well with the thick noodles made it even more appetizing.

The Gyoza was cooked in its best way possible: crispy on the other side and soft on the inside. The meat filling was an explosion of flavors. There were no extenders added, just pure meat excellence!

The Sushi was indeed a today's special. It was said to be new in their menu in which we opted to try such out. The portions were generous. The freshness of the shrimp and the sweet character of cream cheese blended together so playfully. It was a delight in every bite.

Let me go back to Ms. Liza. She represented the restaurant in all of the best way one could think of. The way they vibrantly greet customers with "Irashaimase" to serving the mains to the table alongside with the Japanese complimentary made the experience not just a meal but an experience.

If you happen to look for a sustaining food after exploring the streets of General Luna or probably surfing the clumsy waves of Pacifico, then this place is for you!

Also, please let me add that we really appreciate the Sake that was served to us. It was the best way to end the meal. Rice wine after a scrumptious meal, OISHI!!!

– Ace Angelo Crisostomo

This was my third visit to MAIKO. This restaurant is perfect for couples or families looking for a delicious meal, or even for solo diners. You are always greeted by the wonderful smiles of Liza and the staff—it truly feels like returning to your own home.

The taste is exceptional. Honestly, I find the food here better than many high-end Japanese restaurants in Manila. While specialized places like "Tsukiji" or "Ginza Nagaoka" in Okada Manila might lead in high-end sushi, or "Ramen Bar" for Tonkotsu Shoyu, MAIKO wins on overall flavor and warmth.

My absolute favorites are the Udon and the Gyoza. The Gyoza is particularly outstanding, though it was sold out on my last visit—be sure to try it if it’s available!

One thing to note: the atmosphere is calm and cozy. I wouldn’t recommend it for loud, rowdy groups; there are other places for that. As a self-proclaimed Japanese food critic, I’d say the interior decor has room for improvement, but with two more Japanese chefs joining the team soon (making it a 3-chef system!), I have high expectations for the future.

Liza, thank you for always greeting me with such a beautiful smile.

My Top 5 Recommendations:

Gyoza

Tonkotsu Ramen

Chicken Katsu

Chicken Karaage Curry

Udon

– hr moo