Shikihoru

Shikihoru is a small Japanese kitchen in a wooden roadside shack on the Circumferential Road in Solangon, San Juan, with only a handful of tables. It looks modest from the road, but it has built a loyal following among travellers who end up eating here several nights in a row.

Ramen is the most talked-about order: the tonkotsu has a rich broth, and there are chicken, spicy pork, shrimp dumpling and vegan tofu versions, plus tan noodles with beef mince. Pork gyoza is the side people come back for. The sushi menu covers rolls, maki, gunkan, nigiri and sashimi, with the crunchy salmon roll and salmon bowl getting repeat praise, and there are poke bowls (including a vegan one), chicken katsudon, teriyaki rice bowls and veggie takoyaki. Vegetarians have more choice here than at most places on the strip.

Most meals come in under ₱500 a head, which is good value for the area. The kitchen is small, so food can take a while when the room fills, and sushi rice sometimes sells out by late afternoon. Go for an early lunch if you want the full sushi menu, and start with the gyoza.