Step Inside Nikkei Nama Bar For a Tipple and Tasty Bites

The rich and elaborate weave of Japanese Peruvian cuisine remains one of the world's truly unique flavors blending two distinct cultures with modern innovative techniques. More than just an east-west fusion of culinary styles and despite its surge in popularity around the world, Nikkei cuisine is a continuously evolving story without restrictions to creativity. Yet its very uniqueness has also prevented Nikkei cuisine from flowing into the local culinary mainstream. But that's about to change.

In Manila, one name is top-of-mind when it comes to modern Nikkei flavors, and Carlo and Jackie Lorenzana are on a mission to increase accessibility to one of the world's inspired cuisines.

Since 2015, Carlo and Jackie Lorenzana shared this novel convergence of culinary cultures with the opening of their first Nikkei location in Makati. Fast forward to 2023, the Japanese Peruvian cuisine of Nikkei now boasts of six branches highlighting the cross-cultural blend of culinary styles and traditions.

The pioneering brand has also evolved with the times, showcasing three specific experiences bannered by the flagship concept Nikkei (see more on the original concept on my post, A Convergence of Peruvian and Japanese Flavors at Nikkei from 2018) supplemented by Nikkei Robata with its grilled offerings (more on my post, A Fab Fam Feast with the New Family Set Menu at Nikkei Robata in Newport Mall from early this year) and Nikkei Nama Bar. And today is a good day for a tipple and a bite at Nikkei Nama Bar...

The Nikkei brand of Japanese Peruvian cuisine is bannered by The Podium and Rockwell locations where diners can enjoy an authentic and creative approach to flavors as envisioned by Carlo and Jackie Lorenzana. 

The flagship brand is joined by two specialty concepts namely Nikkei Robata at Uptown BGC and Newport Mall with their own take on fresh off the charcoal robatayaki grill specialties while Nikkei Nama Bar at BGC and Rada Street in Makati weaves a full bar experience to complement its menu. While you may find many of the brand's bestsellers like ceviche, tiradito and sushi in all six locations, each of the three concepts feature their own specialized and exclusive menu. That means yakitori and other charcoal robatayaki grilled specialties at Nikkei Robata and signature Nama Bowls along with cocktails at Nikkei Nama Bar. Soothing libations plus good food is a formula that works all the time, and Nikkei Nama Bar along Rada Street in Makati has just what you're looking for with its extensive menu and bar selections.

Inside Nikkei Nama Bar, the calming hues and textures of polished concrete and dark wood exudes a modern and subdued elegance. Pick a spot by the bar for those solo flights, or a table with friends. Newly renovated with a refreshed new look, Nikkei Nama Bar is ready to welcome back its loyal base of diners.

At the bar, you'll find a tempting array of refreshing libations from Japanese inspired cocktails like the Sake Sangria, Ruby Sake Soda and Norito to Craft Cocktails including Guava Sour, Olmeca Mojito, Tokyo Mule and Aperol Spritz alongside an impressive inventory of Japanese whiskies, sake and premium single malts.

If you still can't decide what to get from the bar, maybe this cool deal on Aperol Spritz should make the decision making process a whole lot easier...

Everyday starting at 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, enjoy two glasses of Aperol Spritz at Nikkei Nama Bar for only P 595. Happy Hour starts early at Nikkei Nama Bar. Afternoons at Nikkei Nama Bar become even more special with the Aperol Spritz deal, but it gets better when you pair it with some of their signature bites. 

And you deserve another round, right? 

Experience the full Nikkei Nama Bar experience with a wide selection of cocktails like the Olmeca Lime Mojito (P 395), a refreshing blend of Olmeca Tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, soda water and mint leaves. If you prefer a non-alchoholic option, go for the thirst-quenching Mojito with muddled fresh mint, Nikkei green, lime juice and soda. 

There's even more options for that perfect tipple at Nikkei Nama Bar...

...including an equally extensive wine list. From 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm daily, enjoy three rounds of Valdivieso Wines from Chile for only P 595 for yet another irresistible deal. Stay tuned for special promos too, surprises await at your next visit to Nikkei Nama Bar.

A few rounds of libations works up your appetite, and Nikkei Nama Bar's daily specials and new dishes should do the trick...

...like the savory Wagyu Skirt Nigiri (P 320) with fork-tender and melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu skirt steak topped with crisp potato strips and drizzled with special oil. It's tasty bites like this paired with your favorite cocktail that makes Nikkei Nama Bar your perfect dive. 

The play on savory richness and textural contrasts capped by a flavorful burst of indulgent notes from the Wagyu Skirt Nigiri will have you going for another. In the meantime, order up another cocktail. Nikkei Nama Bar is serving up more treats fresh off the kitchen...

The Causa Platter (P 395) is a Peruvian-inspired serving of soft and smooth shaped mashed potatoes topped with succulent ebi, savory Wagyu beef and creamy salmon tartare topped with chalaquita or Peruvian salsa, guacamole, togarashi and a drizzle of sesame oil for that classic east-west fusion of flavors.

The confluence of history and migrations combine for unique culinary blends of flavors and textures that typify Nikkei cuisine enjoyed and experienced with dishes like the Causa Platter at Nikkei Nama Bar. From the smooth potatoes to the briny sweetness of the plump ebi, the beefy richness of the Wagyu and and the elegant finish of the salmon tartare followed by flavorful hints from the chalaquita, guacamole, togarashi and sesame oil, the fusion of two distinct culinary cultures come together in a seamless weave with each tasty bite.

More tasty bites from Nikkei Nama Bar's Japanese Peruvian playlist bring even more tempting flavors to the table with its selection of hand-rolled delights like the Ebi Tempura Roll and Aburi Salmon with fresh cucumber and tobiko mayo. The crunch from the ebi tempura and the buttery textures of the salmon teases the palate while draping it with luscious, fresh and clean flavors. 

Other options include the Spicy Tuna Roll (P 250-5 pcs/P 495-10 pcs), Soft Shell Crab Roll (P 340/P 650), Tataki Roll (P 335/P 660), Smoked Salmon Roll (P 250/P 495), Panko (P 395/P 680), Ceviche Roll (P 300/P 595), Unagi Asparagus Roll (P 350/P 695), Lima Roll (P 320), Tuna Maguro Roll (P 220/P 430), Miso Salmon Roll (P 300/P 595) and Futomaki (P 300-6 pcs/P 595-12 pcs). 

But if you come really hungry, Nikkei Nama Bar is the right place... 

New on the menu, the Yuzu Prawns (P 520) with succulent and juicy prawns draped in a light and crisp batter slathered with yuzu mayo, rocoto mayo, tobiko, negi, lime, togarashi and kizame yuzu offers bite after bite of sweet briny notes followed by vibrant hints from the yuzu to complete another lavish and delectable play on flavors and textures.

From the mouthwatering prawns that's firm to the bite with its fresh snap to the creamy and luscious yuzu mayo and rocoto mayo and the distinct notes and textures of the negi or spring onions, fish roe and togarashi spice blend, the Yuzu Prawns is an absolute must-try. Reflecting ingredients from both Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, the new Yuzu Prawns by Nikkei Nama Bar is the perfect dish to pair with your cocktails for those afternoons that call for a proper tipple and bite in that unique Nikkei style. 

Exclusive to Nikkei Nama Bar's menu are the hearty Nama Bowls served with Miso Soup for a complete meal in itself. Nikkei Nama Bar adds to its line of Nama Bowls with the new Pescado Frito (P 390) featuring tender and flaky fried Alaskan Pollock with saltado vegetables, egg, fried onions and gohan drizzled with creamy cilantro misto. 

The Alaskan Pollock brings delicate notes to the palate complemented by the flavorful medley of saltado vegetables and the crisp fried onions while the egg adds a layer of richness to complete the dish. The soft and fluffy rice absorbs all the different flavors from the various ingredients with a creamy finish from the cilantro misto. For seafood lovers, here's one hearty meal made just for you.

The Japanese Oyster Bowl (P 690) with plump Japanese oysters, donburi sauce, white onions, shiitake, egg, togarashi, scallions, fried onions, nori tempura, nuts and gohan is one of their popular Nama Bowl variants and it's easy to see why. The rich, briny and fresh flavors of the oysters offers unique and satisfying flavors for any appetite or craving. Add the donburi sauce, white onions, shiitake, egg, togarashi, scallions, fried onions, nori tempura, nuts and gohan to the mix and you have one serious meal packed in a bowl.  

Other Nama Bowl options include the Pollo Saltado Donburi (P 450), Seared Steak Bowl (P 1,150), Buta Bowl (P 550) and Unagi Don (P 695), 

From refreshing cocktails to tasty bites and complete meals in a bowl, Nikkei Nama Bar is your spot to experience the perfect tipple along with sumptuous dishes. So, what are you waiting for? Step inside Nikkei Nama Bar for a tipple and some classic expressions of Japanese Peruvian cuisine...

Nikke Nama Bar is located at the ground Floor of Frabelle Business Center, 111 Rada Street, Legazpi Village, Makati. You can call 0927 273 0114 for inquiries or visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/nikkeinama/ and https://www.instagram.com/nikkei_nama_bar/ for more information and updates.

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