Top 10 Most Loved Restaurants in San Juan for April 2017

Tuan Tuan, which means ‘to put together’, best describes the restaurant’s goal of putting together the best of Hong Kong comfort food in a French brasserie setting. It is a homegrown concept from the Lugang group. It’s for casual but fancy and affordable lunches or dinners. It’s not for people looking for dim sum and pastries. We recommend the US Premium Beef Rib and Tendon Curry, Braised Ox Tongue, Pork Snow Buns, and Salted Egg Custard Snow Buns. Our insider tip: Don’t go mild on your Laksa.

Choi Garden is an authentic Cantonese restaurant known for their Chinese classics and make-your-own shabu-shabu. It’s for big family gatherings over traditional Chinese cuisine, with set menus perfect for sharing. It’s not for quiet solo dining as customers typically come in large groups. We recommend the Roast Duck, Suckling Pig, and their wide variety of dimsum. Our insider tip: Don’t worry about parking, they have valet service!

Tomo Japanese Dining is an authentic Japanese restaurant serving classic dishes in an offbeat refurbished house with modern, minimalist Japanese interiors. It’s for people who are fans of Sugi Japanese Restaurant, the same Chef heads the kitchen here. It’s not for Little Tokyo loyalists. We recommend the Australian Wagyu Steak, Kari Kari Kari Yaki oysters, Mackerel sashimi, and their aburi sushi. Our insider tip: No need to worry about parking because they have lots of space. Read our full feature here.

Hai Chix & Steaks is a dining concept where East meets West. It is an Asian fusion restaurant specializing in steaks and Hainanese chicken. It’s for everyone craving some Asian and American specialties without having to visit 2 different restaurants. It’s not for vegetarians. We recommend their bestselling U.S. Angus Ribeye and the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Our insider tip: Have your steaks cooked medium. P.S. It recently opened a third branch in Salcedo Village.

First gaining traction in its Rockwell branch, Refinery is a third wave cafe that serves all-day breakfast and brunch items, international comfort food and specialty coffee–but what sets it apart is that it also serves wine and cocktails. It’s for ladies who brunch in the area; it’s also a solid working spot. It’s not for those who want quick and cheap breakfast. We recommend the Honey and Basil Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Bread Pudding, Shirred Truffled Eggs, Angry Pasta and Orange-Infused Cappuccino. Our insider tip: Unlike their Rockwell branch, the Greenhills location is open until 1am.

Wildflour Café + Bakery offers international fare and specialty pastries, famous for being the first purveyor of the wildly popular cronuts in Manila. It’s for people who enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch in a place that always reminds you of Sunday mornings. It’s not for office employees who want quick meals for their weekday lunch break. We recommend their grilled cheese salad and soup combo, mushroom salad, pulled pork sliders and their bestselling kimchi steak fried rice. Don’t forget their über moist to-die-for chocolate cake for dessert! Our insider tip is to get pastries at 50% off after 7pm.

WAFU is a modern Japanese restaurant that speaks of class and elegance from interiors down to food. It’s helmed by the new executive chef, Chef Nobuyoshi Onishii, former Sushi Master from the renowned Midori Sushi in Japan. It’s for intimate gatherings or relaxing catch-up sessions with your family and friends. It’s not for those looking for quality Japanese food on a tight budget. We recommend the U.S. Flat Iron Steak, Sukiyaki Cut Beef, and Oyster Teppan. Our insider tip: Check out their Php999 promo, where you are given 2 hours to enjoy teppan-all-you-can at their teppanyaki stations on the second floor. Book ahead as there are limited slots per seating time. See more photos here.

Darwin Dimsum is a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant that serves a wide variety of affordable dimsum, congee, and rice meals. It’s for quick dim sum runs with your friends or family. It’s not for diners craving noodle dishes or mami. We recommend their cute cartoon buns like the Hello Kitty Hakaw, Panda Vegetable Buns, and Mickey Mouse radish cakes! Our insider tip: Got a budget? All dishes in Darwin’s Dimsum are below 200 bucks! Read our full feature here.

All the way from Tokyo, Dohtonbori is Japan’s #1 okonomiyaki restaurant chain that offers the first cook-your-own okonomiyaki experience in Manila. This is its first branch in the Philippines. It’s for foodies who enjoy DIY meals, but don’t worry as the servers can also cook for you. It’s not for people who prefer American-style pancakes. We recommend the Deluxe Okonomiyaki, Four-Cheese and Dohtonbori pizzas, and their premium yakiniku. Our insider tip: Skip the queue, you can book a table through Booky at their Greenhills and SM North branches!

Sodam is an authentic Korean buffet best known for its all-you-can-eat grilled meat dishes and other cuisine staples. It’s for families and friends with huge appetites. It’s not for romantic date nights. We recommend their Samgyupsal, Japchae, and Haemul Pajeon. Our insider tip: Be ready to smell like grilled meat after!