Wafu is upscale Japanese restaurant in newly renovated Greenhills

There are, quite literally, hundreds of Japanese restaurants in the Philippines, some leaning toward quick food delivery, others delivering a more sophisticated dining experience. But few are like Wafu, an upscale restaurant that gives importance to the most minute details--both food and ambience.

In the words of Bryan Tiu, the businessman who put up the resto, Wafu offers only the freshest sushi and sashimi in town, as well as a variety of traditional & “reinvented” Japanese dishes.

"I've always wanted to open an upscale Japanese restaurant. I used to travel to Japan three to four times a year for business, and I was constantly absorbing the culture with each visit," he said. "My vision was to open a Japanese restaurant that would become a destination place."

That's why, after selling his Japanese casual chain to a huge food conglomerate, Tiu wasted no time in putting Wafu up. Of course, this time, Wafu is a more ambitious undertaking. But Tiu is confident about Wafu's menu of innovative Japanese dishes. 

Located in the newly renovated area of the Greenhills Shopping Center, Wafu had its soft opening in September 2012. Today, it is in full swing, attracting diners to its 800-square meter location.

Chef Chris Oronce, the man behind Wafu's delectable menu, said the wafu-style of cooking will appeal to Filipino diners because it is very Asian.

"Being Filipino, I know what our guests at Wafu will like," he explains. "It's a mixture of sweet, salty, a little spicy, sour and the umami flavor. The palate of Filipinos is very diverse. They will be able to appreciate the taste of wafu-style cooking."

Chef Oronce's extensive experience in food and restaurant operations management were gained working in distinguished restaurants in the US including the MGM Grand Shibuya in Las Vegas where he spent his last years before returning to the Philippines. His other US stint includes the Koi Restaurant at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, worked with celebrity chef Bobby Flay at Mesa Grill Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas and Nobu in New York.  

"Our respect for food is very high. We want Wafu to be an institution; to be a restaurant that is accessible to everyone," Oronce said.

Tiu’s foray into Japanese food reflects his fascination for the Asian country’s culture and cuisine. Wafu stands out from any neighboring restaurants, brimming with sophistication on the outside while exuding warmth and luxury on the inside.

The main ground floor dining area has a separate sushi bar and sake bar, while the second floor features a teppan grill dining section where diners can enjoy steak, wagyu, and fresh and live seafood. The mezzanine has function rooms for business meetings and other private functions for larger groups. Altogether, Wafu can seat 250 people.

"The challenge for us is to be different from our competitors. Our extensive menu of Japanese dishes and personalized service will make Wafu a favorite chef-driven concept among the metro's diners," Tiu said.

Ingredients at Wafu, he said, are flown in directly from Japan to give diners a taste of how food is prepared and presented there (except for live catch like lapu-lapu, lobsters, and shrimps, which is supplied locally to support local farmers).

The Japanese restaurant got its name from Western dishes cooked "wafu-style," which means that food are prepared to suit Japanese tastes.


Here are more photos for you to enjoy! :)