HIRO Premier: A5 OMI Wagyu Heaven in Manila!

HIRO Premier Japanese Yakiniku is the upscale branch of the well-loved HIRO Japanese Yakiniku in Salcedo, dedicated exclusively to premium A5 Omi Wagyu — Japan’s oldest and one of its most revered wagyu brands. Designed for the discerning steak connoisseur, HIRO Premier offers a refined yakiniku experience that celebrates the purity and craftsmanship of Omi beef.

We had the privilege of joining their grand opening with an extensive Omi Wagyu tasting course, showcasing different cuts, textures, and cooking techniques. Here’s a look at the menu highlights and our top recommendations:


ABOUT HIRO PREMIER

Hiro Premier Japanese Yakiniku, renowned for premium wagyu and refined Japanese hospitality, has opened its new upscale branch at the Skypark, 5th Level of SM Aura in BGC.

The restaurant’s highlight is its exclusive partnership with Daikichi Farm in Shiga Prefecture, Japan—producers of A5-grade Omi Beef, one of Japan’s Three Great Wagyu alongside Kobe and Matsusaka. Daikichi’s 400-year legacy and dedication to ethical, sustainable farming ensure wagyu with exceptional marbling, flavor, and tenderness.

Led by MasterChef Shogo Izawa, a Tokyo-born award-winning chef with over 40 years of international experience, Hiro Premier offers a dining experience rooted in Omotenashi, Japan’s tradition of heartfelt hospitality.

Guests can indulge in A4 and A5 wagyu flown directly from Japan, served in an elegant, Zen-inspired setting with private dining rooms and personal yakiniku grills.

HIRO Premier Japanese Yakiniku
Authentic Japanese yakiniku 🇯🇵 🥩 with premium A5 Omi Wagyu,
flown from our farm in Shiga, Japan.
📍5th floor, Skypark at SM Aura, Taguig.
☎️ +63917 120 0282
IG @hiro_premier
#seariouslygood


STARTERS

YUDE EDAMAME ゆで枝豆
Boiled green soybeans
240

KIMCHI & NAMURU MORIAWASE キムチ&ナムル盛り合わせ
Assorted kimchi and seasoned vegetables
360

The edamame is a simple, lightly salted starter that’s addicting to munch on, while the kimchi and seaweed add a nice kick of spice and umami before the wagyu feast.

OMI WAGYU TOKUJO ABURI 近江和牛 特上炙り
Omi Wagyu Slice lightly seared for 10 seconds and dipped in fresh egg and sauce
1,050

Just look at the marbling on that wagyu — each slice melts in your mouth with rich, buttery perfection.

The first sear is crucial — just a few seconds on the gas-powered grill, a quick kiss of fire to lock in that beautiful marbling.

Avoid cooking it well done; overcooking would only rob the wagyu of its delicate sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Love the special miso sauce, sriracha, and gochujang — each one perfectly balances and elevates the rich flavors of the wagyu.

ZUWAIGANI CHOREGI SALAD 本スワイガニのチョレギサラダ 金箔飾り
Choregi salad with snow crab finished with gold leaf
890

A fresh salad topped with sesame dressing, bits of crab, and a touch of gold leaf.

OMI WAGYU UNI NIGIRI SUSHI 極上!近江和牛と無丹のにぎり寿司
Deluxe Omi Wagyu and sea urchin nigiri sushi
860 2pcs.

This was probably the only dish we didn’t enjoy raw — we had to grill the wagyu a bit to bring out its flavor. It’s served with uni and fresh wasabi, which we absolutely loved.

KARADARE KYURI 辛だれきゅうり
Chilled cucumber with spicy sauce
240

A cold cucumber salad with a spicy kick — refreshing and perfect for cleansing the palate between bites of wagyu.

SUKIYAKI ROLL SUSHI すき焼きロール
Sweet soy braised wagyu roll
380

It may look simple, but it’s surprisingly delicious — with sukiyaki-style rolled wagyu inside.

SAKURA UMESHU SODA
Salted Cherry Blossom, Umeshu, Soda
250

Rache loved this salted sakura with plum and soda — refreshing, subtly floral, and perfect for cleansing the palate.


MAINS

TOKUSEN KAIDAN MORI (Primio) 特選!階段盛り
Premium staircase platter 420g with beautifully arranged graded cuts
3,500

This yakiniku steak platter features two cuts of Omi Wagyu, easily recognizable by their beautiful marbling, served alongside USDA meats and wagyu tongue with Japanese rice.

It’s a well-balanced and relatively affordable option — perfect if you enjoy hearty, meaty steaks while still getting a taste of premium wagyu.

OMI WAGYU ROKUTEN MORI 近江和牛
6 premium cuts of Omi Wagyu
7,500

This is the A5 Omi Wagyu Heavenly platter featuring: OMI Ribeye, OMI Misuji, OMI Chuck Ribs, A5 Jo Karubi, OMI Chuck Roll, A5 OMI Tokuju Karubi.

I love the Omi ribeye, Karubi cuts, and chuck ribs + roll — lahat masarap, tender, flavorful!

The wagyu meats aren’t seasoned, so adding a bit of salt and pepper helps cut through the richness and highlight their buttery flavor.

Don’t overcook it — the best way to enjoy wagyu is when it’s just kissed by fire for a few seconds, letting that smoky aroma rise straight from the grill.

The bigger or tougher cuts, though, may need a bit more time to cook through.

KARUBI SOUP カルビスープ
Beef rib soup with vegetables in spicy broth
360

The spicy Karubi soup is surprisingly good — it has a satisfying hagod and just the right heat to cleanse your palate from the wagyu’s rich fattiness.


DESSERT

MATCHA AFFOGATO WITH AZUKI 抹茶のアフォガード 小豆添え
Matcha affogato with sweet red bean topping
240

A satisfying finale — creamy vanilla ice cream poured over with hot matcha and topped with sweet red beans.


FINAL THOUGHTS

The launch dinner was an A5 Omi Wagyu overload! I’d definitely go back for the Omi Wagyu Rokuten Mori 近江和牛, which features six premium cuts of Omi Wagyu — perfect to enjoy with family or friends.

For starters, order the Omi Wagyu Tokujo AburiSukiyaki Roll Sushi, and your choice of salad — Zuwaigani Choregi Salad or Karadare Kyuri. Pair it with a Sakura Umeshu Soda to cleanse the palate, then wrap up the meal with a comforting Spicy Karubi Soup and the indulgent Matcha Affogato with Azuki for dessert.

Budget about 2,000/head to enjoy the A5 Omi Wagyu experience!

Congratulations Hiro for an awesome A5 Omi Wagyu experience in SM Aura!

HIRO Premier Japanese Yakiniku
Authentic Japanese yakiniku 🇯🇵 🥩 with premium A5 Omi Wagyu, flown from our farm in Shiga, Japan.
📍5th floor, Skypark at SM Aura, Taguig.
☎️ +63917 120 0282
IG @hiro_premier
#seariouslygood

Live an Awesome Life with Christ,

Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. Thank you for inviting us to the grand launch of HIRO Premier Japanese Yakiniku in SM Aura Skypark.

P.S. Read this for a premium dining guide to Japan’s Oldest Wagyu Brand.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *