A popular Japanese yakitori chain is bringing its casual grilled-skewer dining experience to the Philippines this October. TORIKIZOKU will open its first Philippine restaurant at Serendra in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on October 12, 2026.
The Osaka-born brand, which traces its beginnings to 1985, has grown to more than 600 locations across Japan. Its Philippine debut gives local diners their first opportunity to experience the brand’s take on yakitori-ya, the Japanese dining style centered on freshly grilled chicken skewers and casual gatherings over food and drinks.
For Filipino diners who enjoy Japanese food, the opening adds another option to BGC’s already diverse dining scene, while introducing a restaurant concept where the experience is as much about gathering as it is about the food.
What can diners expect from TORIKIZOKU in BGC?
TORIKIZOKU’s dining concept revolves around freshly grilled chicken skewers, selected ingredients, and a lively restaurant atmosphere designed for spending time with friends and family.
Yakitori refers to Japanese-style skewered chicken that is grilled, traditionally over charcoal. Different cuts can be used, giving diners a variety of textures and flavors rather than treating the skewer as a single type of dish.
The restaurant’s Yakitori-ya approach places these grilled skewers at the heart of the dining experience. Rather than being positioned simply as a quick meal, yakitori restaurants in Japan are commonly associated with casual social dining, where small plates and skewers can be shared while people talk and linger.
That makes the concept particularly suited to group dining, whether for an after-work meal, a casual dinner, or a night out with friends.
From Osaka to more than 600 stores
TORIKIZOKU started in Osaka in 1985 and has since expanded throughout Japan. The company says its network now includes more than 600 stores.
The Philippine restaurant is part of its international expansion under what the brand calls its Global YAKITORI Family.
The BGC location also gives the brand a chance to introduce its Japanese dining format to a market where Japanese cuisine is already a familiar part of the food scene. The launch is therefore less about introducing Filipinos to yakitori itself and more about bringing a particular Japanese restaurant experience and brand to local diners.
Torikki is already appearing around Serendra
The Philippine launch has also started making its presence felt before the restaurant opens.
TORIKIZOKU’s yellow mascot, Torikki, has appeared on installations around Serendra in different poses inspired by both Japan and the Philippines.
The installations are designed to remain visible during the day and light up at night. More importantly for diners planning to check out the new restaurant, the signages include QR codes that lead to the TORIKIZOKU Philippines website, where visitors can get updates and make reservations.
The installations effectively serve as a countdown to the October 12 opening while introducing the mascot and visual identity of the Japanese chain to the BGC community.
What does “Toriki Tayo” mean for the Philippine launch?
The local campaign comes with the phrase “Toriki Tayo,” an invitation to turn ordinary moments into occasions for getting together.
That message fits naturally with the restaurant's yakitori-centered format. Skewers are easy to share, and the Japanese izakaya-style tradition of casual dining places importance on conversation and spending time together.
For TORIKIZOKU, the Philippine launch is an opportunity to bring that social aspect of Japanese dining to a new audience while establishing its own identity in BGC.
When does TORIKIZOKU open in the Philippines?
TORIKIZOKU will open its first Philippine restaurant at Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, on October 12, 2026.
The opening marks the latest step in the Osaka-born chain's international expansion and gives Filipino diners a new place to explore Japanese yakitori culture without leaving Metro Manila.
For those curious about the brand ahead of opening day, the Torikki installations around Serendra offer an early introduction. The QR codes can also be used to access Philippine updates and reservation information.