Nikkei Nama Bar in BGC: Celebrating Japanese-Peruvian Culinary Sensation
Peru is home to a rousing range of dishes made with different cultural influences from various parts of the world. One such influence is from Japan—with a result that’s brought to the Philippines through NIKKEI, a restaurant that fondly introduces the interesting fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary cultures.
With branches along Rada Street in Makati and at The Podium in Ortigas, NIKKEI continues to introduce Japanese-Peruvian gastronomy for every exploring appetite by opening its sister restaurant, Nikkei Nama, in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
IMAGE from Philippine Primer
The word Nikkei has diverse meanings, like how Peruvians call a Japanese who migrated in their country. With the increase of Japanese people living in Peru, they were able to adapt to the cooking style, practices, and techniques of Peruvian cuisine. With this, Japanese-Peruvian cuisine has evolved, which is what Nikkei highlights.
Meanwhile, the word Nama means “fresh,” conveying lightness reflected in the restaurant’s use of “just-procured local market ingredients treated to a global playground of taste.”
Opened this November 2018, Nikkei Nama seeks to celebrate the food of both cultures, with ingredients that complement each other as if they were meant to be combined. And to give a new savor to Nikkei’s frequent diners, Nikkei Nama is serving dishes one can only find in this branch–thanks to the collaborative effort of South American Chef Juan Barcos and Filipino Chef Richie Buenaventura.
IMAGE from Nikkei Nama Bar Facebook page
This new Nikkei restaurant introduces hearty rice bowls, which are likely to become a diner’s favorite with its generous servings of fusion food. Try their Oyster Donburi (Php 695) which highlights Japanese oysters generously topped with their special donburi sauce, white onion, shiitake, tamago (egg), togarashi, scallions, fried onion, nori tempura, and nuts over a bed of steaming rice.
Oyster Donburi / IMAGE from Nikkei Nama Bar Facebook page
Fancy meat? Their Iberico Pork Ribs (Php 650) is certainly a must-order. Roasted in a charcoal oven, the pork ribs are marinated in miso paste, hoisin and oyster sauce, with chili corn and okra. The meat is easily chewy and gives a blissfully sweet taste.
Iberico Pork Ribs / IMAGE from Nikkei Nama Bar Facebook page
This popular Peruvian dish, Ceviche Mixto (Php 595), made with crab meat, dalandan leche de tigre, onion, cilantro, chili, cherry tomato, lettuce, peanuts, cancha, potato chips, will surely entice the healthy eaters with its nutritious content.
Ceviche Mixto / IMAGE from Nikkei Nama Bar Facebook page
For those who want the staple Japanese dishes, try the Soft Shell Crab Roll (starts at Php 340), a sushi dish made of soft shell crab tempura, cucumber, sesame seeds, and yuzu with a lightly torched mango on top. One more sushi dish to try is the Ceviche Roll (starts at Php 300) which contains white fish, scallions, cucumber, cilantro, and fresh chilies for a spicy kick.
Soft Shell Crab Roll / IMAGE from Nikkei Nama Bar Facebook page
Aside from these Japanese-Peruvian eats, imported liquors are also offered. Indulge in Peru’s favorite drink with a Japanese makeover. Take the Okinawa Daiquiri (Php 295) for example, which is concoted from Luisita rum, passion fruit and rosemary syrups, black tea and lemon. It’s a fruity drink with floral and herbaceous notes, perfect for a party.
Okinawa Daiquiri / IMAGE from Nikkei Nama Bar Facebook page
Nikkei Nama sticks to Nikkei’s restful and casual ambiance. The new restaurant still flaunts its industrial and modish interiors, accentuated by fancy decors and light fixtures. The place is relatively bright as it is situated outside the second floor of the tower, overlooking the park. At night, the mood becomes more intimate and dynamic with the soothing, lively music.
IMAGES from Philippine Primer
How to get here:
- Nikkei Nama Bar is located on the second floor of One Bonifacio High in BGC. It is near Yayoi, Cafe Moka, and Twenty-Four Bakeshop.
- From EDSA, drive at Kalayaan Avenue going to 32nd Street. Turn right onto 2nd Avenue bound to 30th Street on the right. Continue along Rizal Drive to 28th Street.
- There is a parking space in One Bonifacio High
