We went to Landers for groceries, and the supermarket was so crowded; I have no idea na “Sale” pala sa Landers kaya pala halos puno na parking kahit wala pa 9AM. After we finished our errands, my son was already hungry pero ayaw ko kumain sa Landers at matao, so my husband suggested visiting Alabang West Parade.
It was our first visit to Alabang West Parade, and madami pala pwede kainan. My son likes Japanese cuisine, so when we saw Ippon Yari, dito na niya gusto kumain. Unfortunately, 11AM pa daw opening nila, so I asked my son kung sa iba na lang kami kakain or maghintay kami? Surprisingly, willing to wait daw siya. Hehehe! But I knew he was already hungry, so we dropped by Starbucks, and we ordered bread and drinks while waiting for the restaurant.
Ippon Yari is not a new restaurant because it started operating in 1996 in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. However, the owner decided to expand their business in provincial industrial parks where most of the Japanese resided. The Makati branch is already closed, but you can visit their branches in Dasmariňas Cavite; Sta. Rosa and Calamba, Laguna, Lipa, Batangas, and lastly Alabang. Ippon Yari - Alabang branch started its operation in the year 2022, so bago-bago pa.
Anyway, we went back to the restaurant at 11AM and ang dami na rin naghihintay na customers. The restaurant has different types of tables, meron for solo diners, family, and big groups. But these tables caught my attention, parang kakaiba. You have to remove your shoes if you want to sit here.
When the staff gave us the menu, we opened it a little bit and nag-order na kami agad. Hehehe! We already checked their menu online while waiting for the opening time. We chose from the 10 Ipponyari favorites, so we ordered Chashumen PHP440, Katsudon PHP400, and Nirareba Itame Goza Teishoku PHP440.
After two minutes, the staff arrived and gave us wet towels, water, and a complimentary salad. My two boys enjoyed the salad, yung anak ko na hindi mahilig kumain ng gulay sa bahay, nagustuhan ito, pati yung salad ko, siya na rin kumain.
In less than fifteen minutes, they served our meals, and we were surprised because the servings were big, hindi tinipid, considering mas mahal pa yung ibang nakainan namin. My Katsudon order had a side dish and miso soup too.
I also read that we can get a free Yuzu or Kyoho Soda if we answer a feedback form, which my husband did.
After eating, my husband got the bill, and the staff asked us if we wanted hot coffee or iced coffee, complimentary daw.
Wow, ang dami nila complimentary dito, normally may hot tea lang sa mga Japanese restaurant, but here we got salad, juice, tea, and coffee.
The taste of the food is good, and the service is fast and good. There is no doubt na ang dami kumakain dito, and I’m pretty sure na babalik din kami.
February 2025
We were supposed to eat in a buffet restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day with our son, but it was already fully booked, so we just ate at Ippon Yari after grocery. We were early, so we waited for 30 minutes before opening time.
Again, we already checked their menu while waiting para makaorder agad. We ordered Gyoza PHP200, Tonkatsu PHP300 + PHP100 for Rice and Miso Soup, Sauce Katsudon PHP360, Natto Teishoku PHP350, and Coke in a can PHP90.
Same as before, they served hot towels and a complimentary salad while waiting. I knew they had a big serving, but I was still surprised when I saw my Tonkatsu. I didn’t expect na malaki yung pork chop, hindi nga kasya sa tray. Nahirapan ako ubusin yan, so next time, hindi na ko magrice and miso soup. Hehehe!
My husband only ordered the egg kasi hindi daw siya gutom. We had iced coffee and hot coffee while waiting for our bill.
Update: September 2025
Over two months ago, we dined at Ippon Yari. This has now become our go-to restaurant whenever we crave Japanese food because the prices are reasonable, the food tastes good, and it’s conveniently near Landers, where we usually do our groceries.
We ordered Tokantsu Set PHP400, Katsu Curry PHP430, and Yakinikudon PHP400. I am a creature of habit, so I always order Tonkatsu so yung mag-ama ko lang ang lagi nagbabago ng order.
Their service is usually fast, but during our last visit, we had to make several follow-ups for the Katsu Curry; it seemed like they forgot our order. My husband and I were almost done eating, and I noticed they were already serving food to other tables that had arrived after us.
Good thing the servings were generous, so my son and I just shared the Tonkatsu. I almost canceled the order because of the delay. My son was not able to finish this meal, ito pa naman yung mahal.
By the time they finally served our last order, we decided to request the bill right away, worried it might also take a while. While waiting for the bill, they served complimentary coffee, which was a nice gesture.
Update: January 2026
Since 2024, Ippon Yari has been our go-to restaurant whenever we crave Japanese food after doing our groceries at Landers. Just this month, we revisited the restaurant. We usually arrive before their opening hours, but during our last visit, they were already open, though all the seats inside were taken.
We waited for several minutes, and I eventually told my husband, “Sayang yung oras, pwede naman tayo sa labas kumain.” So we informed the staff that we’d take one of the outdoor tables, and they gladly handed us the menu.
We ordered our usual favorites: Cashuramen (PHP 490), Tonkatsu (PHP 340), and rice (PHP 100). My husband also tried the Nagasaki Champon (PHP 460).
Surprisingly, I managed to finish my Tonkatsu and rice. I was also surprised to learn that extra rice now costs PHP 100; before, rice with miso soup was already included for that price. My son and husband both finished their bowls of ramen.
My husband really enjoyed his Nagasaki Champon. I didn’t get to taste it this time because he had a cold (baka mahawa ako, hehe!). The dish features a rich tonkotsu-based soup with vegetables, squid, pork, and kani.
While we were already enjoying our main dishes, the staff suddenly called our number for indoor seating. Buti na lang talaga, we didn’t wait any longer and still enjoyed a satisfying meal.
Ippon Yari
2F Alabang West Parade,
Brgy Alamanza Dos, Las Piñas City
Update: August 2026
Ippon Yari Alabang West Parade (July 2026)
Last month, after doing our grocery shopping at Landers, we headed straight to Ippon Yari Alabang West Parade for lunch. It was almost 12 noon, and the restaurant was already nearly full. Luckily, there were still available tables at the outdoor seating area.
We ordered right away and honestly expected our food to take a while since the restaurant was busy. To our surprise, everything was served in less than 10 minutes.
What we ordered:
· Onomichi Shoyu Ramen – PHP 410
· Shogayaki – PHP 320 + Teishoku (Set Meal) – PHP 110
· Tonkatsu – PHP 340 + Teishoku (Set Meal) – PHP 110
One thing we really appreciate about Ippon Yari Alabang West Parade is their consistently fast service. Despite the lunch crowd, our orders arrived quickly, and the staff remained attentive throughout our meal. We also enjoyed the complimentary hot tea, salad, and our choice of iced or hot coffee, which made the dining experience even better.
Ippon Yari Calamba (August 2026)
Just this month, we visited Laguna and decided to have lunch at Ippon Yari Calamba before heading home. Since we frequently dine at the Alabang West Parade branch, we naturally expected a similar experience.
It was also lunchtime on a weekend, but unlike Alabang, the restaurant wasn't that busy, so we were seated immediately.
I tend to order the same thing every visit, so I had the Tonkatsu – PHP 340 + Teishoku (Set Meal) – PHP 110. My son ordered the Shoyu Ramen – PHP 380, while my husband decided to try the Yudofu – PHP 300.
After placing our orders, the staff served our salad, water, and wet towels, but we noticed that no hot tea was offered. My son's ramen arrived in just four minutes, and my tonkatsu followed about 8 minutes later. However, my husband's Yudofu was still nowhere to be seen.
By the time my son and I had almost finished our meals, my husband's order had still not arrived. We eventually had to follow up, and it was served 25 minutes after we placed our order. For a simple tofu dish, the wait felt unusually long, especially since the restaurant wasn't crowded.
Throughout our meal, we also had to follow up for a water refill. Another thing we noticed was that no one offered us the complimentary coffee after our meal and while waiting for our bill.
At first, we thought perhaps the complimentary drinks were no longer available. However, we noticed other tables being served tea and iced coffee. It made us wonder if the staff only offered them to regular customers or to diners who already knew to ask for them.
Since we regularly dine at the Alabang West Parade branch, we're familiar with the complimentary tea and coffee because the staff there consistently asks if we'd like them. If this had been our very first Ippon Yari experience, we probably wouldn't have known those complimentary drinks were even available.
Overall, our first visit to the Calamba branch was a bit disappointing, not because of the food, but because the service didn't match the level of consistency and attentiveness we've experienced at Ippon Yari Alabang West Parade. We understand that every branch operates differently, but it's hard not to compare when you've had consistently good experiences at another location.
