The Counter at Ginza One

The Counter opened in August 2024 on the ground floor of Eco Plaza on Chino Roces Avenue Extension, run by the Ginza group, one of Manila's older Japanese restaurant operators. Masahiko Kodama of Yakitori Kodama in Tokyo leads the menu and flies in for about a week each month; Filipino chefs he trained cook the rest of the time.

The Kodama Signature Course works through the bird over binchotan: negima, momo, inverted tebasaki, tsukune, seseri and bonjiri, seasoned with salt or a tare kept going from his original Tokyo jar. Starters include a chicken liver éclair, and the meal ends with shio paitan ramen and pudding. It costs ₱3,900++ on resident-chef weeks and ₱5,200++ when Kodama is cooking.

A good fit for yakitori fans and small groups. There are nine counter seats and six at tables; Kodama weeks have lunch and dinner sittings. Book by phone and check Instagram for his dates.