Umi Japanese Restaurant

Umi Japanese Restaurant sits on the highway just north of the main Urbiztondo surf strip in San Juan, a short walk from the shore (Plus Code M86G+98C), with a big free car park out front. The design is industrial and minimalist rather than lanterns and noren, with an air-conditioned dining room plus alfresco tables, and there's a small villa on the property too.

Raw fish is the safest bet. Salmon sashimi comes up in review after review for freshness, and the aburi rolls, including the Philadelphia and a sushi burrito version, are lightly torched on top. From the kitchen, diners name the yakimono moriawase special, a mixed grill, along with tonkotsu ramen, gyoza, salmon jaw, chicken teriyaki and the chahan moriawase fried rice. Cold cha soba is the hot-day order. Opinions split on rice bowls like gyudon and katsudon, and food can take 30 minutes when the room fills.

Umi is open daily from 11AM to 9PM. Expect ₱500 to ₱1,000 a head; a gyudon was ₱395 in 2025. Payment is cash only, with no cards or GCash, and the nearest ATM is across the busy highway, so bring pesos. Go for a late lunch on a hot afternoon, when the dining room is quiet and cool, and start with the salmon sashimi and an aburi roll.