14 Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Day # 12: Seryna

Looking for some authentic Japanese this Valentine's Day? Let real Japanese chefs whip up your meal!


Seryna is one of the most raved about restaurants in Little Tokyo. By the mere mention of the words "Little Tokyo", my friends start chirping "Seryna" and swearing that it's the best Japanese restaurant ever. Quite a conversation starter, they continue on joyfully reminiscing about the best dishes they've ever tasted in that restaurant. I tell you, they talk with so much passion and conviction, you'll want to rush over to Seryna. 

So when my friend Mara spontaneously called me up for a Seryna dinner, it was an offer I simply couldn't refuse. 


We were warned about coming without a reservation but we pushed our luck anyway. True enough, the parking was packed and we were forced to park in the nearby Makati Cinema Square. Thank God for MCS!

The earthy modern Japanese architecture was quite intimidating but the friendly ushers helped me warm up to the place. All but one table had "reserved" signs on top, so it certainly felt like a privilege to snag a humble table near the Japanese chefs.  

Initially, I wanted to sit right where the action is. Yes, beside the Japanese customers and right before the Japanese chefs. I'm sure it's quite an experience. Then again, I'd feel left out once they start conversing. I don't know any Japanese phrases other than the epic "Wakarimasen" or "I don't understand!" Haha. 

Too bad I wasn't well versed in Japanese since the entire dinner menu was written in Japanese characters. We couldn't find the dishes recommended to us by my friends! Apparently, the lunch menu is different from the dinner menu. Truly beacons of light, the Filipino waitresses helped us order their off-the-menu best sellers. 

Karubi Yakiniku (Php300)

Quite a popular dish among their Japanese customers, we began with Karubi Yakiniku or grilled beef short ribs. These thin beef strips, fully drenched in sweet and salty soy sauce, felt so tender in my mouth. Each strip was packed with much flavor which teases the Filipino taste buds into a rice craving. The serving was quite small though for such a hefty price. Don't even attempt sharing this like we did; it'll only trigger your appetite to look for more. 

Salmon Maki (5pcs, Php190)

We were tempted to order another Php300+ dish when the waitress showed us a smaller menu of their artistically plated 2 pieces of salmon. However, our price conscious side got the better of us and we settled instead for their simple Salmon Maki. It's not written in the menu but it's quite a good deal - almost half the price with more pieces, fantastic! This one's a roll with the most exquisite salmon and powerful wasabi. My tolerance for heat is quite high but each bite of this roll triggered my eyes to water. Now that's some strong wasabi! 


Seryna is the restaurant to go to when you need to impress your date. Their classy interior creates such a regal ambiance that puts their food on a pedestal. The restaurant's solid Japanese following is more than an assurance that they serve great authentic Japanese food. Their prices are quite high but for the quality of their food, you'd be coming back for more. Hopefully, your Valentine's date will also be with you on your next visit. ;)


More Info on Seryna:

Address: 2277 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, Metro Manila

Landmarks: Right across Makati Cineme Square

Map: Click Here

Contact Number: (02) 894-3855

Operating Hours: 

    Su, M, T, W, Th, F, Sa: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

    Su, M, Th, F, Sa: 11:30 am - 2:00 pm

    T, W: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Budget: Php350-500/head

Payment: Cash, Visa, Mastercard 

Outfit: Casual

Tip: Best to have a reservation since it's usually packed 

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Are you looking for a nice restaurant or a vacation spot? I'll be more than willing to help! Go to "Ask Smarla" section and check out my Food & Travel Map. I'll do my best to help you out. :) 

~It's the little sweet notes everyday that matter~