Koku Japanese Restaurant Review

November 21, 2018

Koku restaurant may not be popular but it serves really good Japanese food.

Koku is a name that may not immediately ring a bell even among many Makati restaurant habitués. But for those who have already discovered this little Japanese restaurant along Valero Street in Salcedo Village, Makati City, Koku is a name that is synonymous with first-rate Japanese food. A testament to that is Koku’s numerous five-star ratings in the popular food and restaurant directory, Zomato.

Koku Japanese Restaurant wagyu teppanyaki
Wagyu Teppanyaki

Koku Japanese Restaurant Review

    Our experience at Koku Restaurant


    Khris and I discovered Koku during one of our random walks before going home. It was on the ground floor of the Two Central Building. 

    Like most first-time diners, we had no idea what Koku offered but after a quick scan of its menu, it immediately became apparent to us what the restaurant was all about. Koku had a lot of good selections on its menu that are not available in most Japanese restaurants. Take for example its Sushi Pizza choices.

    Koku’s Sashimi, Sushi, and Maki choices are also not commonly seen in other similar restaurants’ menu like Tuna Poke, Uni Aburi, Saba, and Katana Maki, just to name a few. 

    The food


    We have tried Koku’s Katsudon, Wagyu Teppanyaki, and Salmon and Cream Cheese Maki. Katsudon (P248) is a breaded crispy pork cutlet that is served on top of rice. 

    The pork had the right thickness of the coating, providing just a suitable hint of crunch and flavor to the meat. The pork, meanwhile, remained tender and juicy making each bite enjoyable. Its sauce was not overpowering, it enhanced the taste of the meat and provided it a little more succulence. 

    It was also our first time to taste Salmon and Cream Cheese Maki (P278). It was salmon, cucumber, and cream cheese wrapped in sushi rice. 

    This one had flavors that are in full harmony. The salmon and cream cheese perfectly complemented each other while the cucumber added texture. Each bite was a mélange of tastes. We also plan to try the Crispy Salmon Skin Maki on another visit. 

    Among all the dishes that we tried at Koku, probably the most unforgettable was the Wagyu Teppanyaki (P548). It was cubed Japanese beef that was served with grilled vegetables and sauce. 

    The wagyu was really tender and juicy; no force was needed in chewing the meat. This is one dish that we can eat over and over again and not grow tired of it. 

    Our verdict


    Considering its price and servings, we would say it’s one of the more affordable wagyu beef offered in other restaurants today. We have been to Koku on two occasions; both times our experience was consistently pleasant because of the noteworthy service and food. 

    The price is also affordable so it’s not too hard on the budget if you want to indulge in your favorite Japanese dishes. Koku has only one branch and it is located on Ground Floor, Two Central Building, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

    PIN THIS POST
    Koku Japanese Restaurant review


    Koku Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato 

    *I lost the rest of the food photos from Koku that is why this post only has one photo.
    This post may contain affiliate links, including those from Amazon Associates, which means that if you book or purchase anything through one of those links, we may earn a small commission but at no extra cost to you. All opinions are ours and we only promote products that we use.

    Leave A Reply

    Feel free to share your thoughts! Relevant comments are welcome on this site. However, spam and promotional comments will not be published.


    16 comments

    1. I love Japanese food! I'll check this out soon :) Thanks for sharing!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. You should, although Koku has only one branch. Thank you!

        Delete
    2. blair villanueva14 January 2019 at 02:14

      I often visit Salcedo area but haven't notice this restaurant. Will visit it this weekend and will order your recommendation.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. That's because Koku is partially hidden. Do try their food, it's really good.

        Delete
    3. It's great that you discovered this! I've been craving for Japanese food. I'll definitely go here when I'm in the area.

      ReplyDelete
    4. There are plenty of hole-in-the-wall food in Makati, I heard and I guess this is one of them. I should try it soon! Do they have parking space?

      ReplyDelete
    5. I like how that Wagyu Teppanyaki looks. It looks so filling and satisfying. Sometimes Japanese dishes are served with so little meat (less than I anticipate) and I feel ''bitin'' every time.

      ReplyDelete
    6. I love Japanese food but it's too far from me. I'll definitely try it pag naligaw ako don hehe..

      ReplyDelete
    7. We love Japanese dishes and we will try this soon

      ReplyDelete
    8. Try it soon. Parking is at the Two Central Building.

      ReplyDelete
    9. You should, but they have only one branch. Thank you!

      ReplyDelete
    10. Medyo malayo nga ang Koku sa'ýo. At tago pa. Haha. Thank you.

      ReplyDelete
    11. Yup, the servings in Koku are nice. Thank you.

      ReplyDelete
    12. Must-try! It's one of our favorites at Koku.

      ReplyDelete
    13. Yes. You can park at the Two Central Building.

      ReplyDelete
    14. Koku is partially hidden. Do try their food, it's really good.

      ReplyDelete