Nonki — Restaurant in Cebu City

Nonki Japanese Restaurant is always a reliable spot when I’m craving Japanese food in Cebu. I’ve dined here many times, sometimes with friends and sometimes alone, and what I like is that even when I’m solo it never feels awkward. The place is always lively with customers enjoying their meals which adds to the welcoming vibe.

On my most recent visit I ordered the Tonkutso Ramen (P505), my friend had the Sake Harasu Ni (P450), and we shared an Unagi Mango Roll (P520). The wait was about 15 to 20 minutes but the staff gave us a free appetizer, a pasta salad, that helped curb our hunger. A nice touch.

The Unagi Mango Roll came first and it was refreshing. The sweetness of the mango paired well with the rice and unagi, though I did wish the unagi portion was a little bigger compared to the mango and rice. Still, very tasty and worth trying. The Sake Harasu Ni was the star of the night for me. The salmon belly was tender and the sauce had a perfect balance with just the slightest kick at the end. I would give that dish a solid 10 out of 10.

My ramen came last, which was a little sad because my friend’s dish started cooling down while she waited for me. Still, the Tonkutso Ramen hit the spot. The broth was light, mild, and comforting. It is the kind of soup you want on a rainy day, and it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. For anyone keeping an eye on cholesterol, this one is a safe bet.

Overall, Nonki keeps winning me over. The food is always good, the vibe is always lively, and the service is solid.

PS: The photos I took are of half eaten dishes because we were already too hungry to wait. That should tell you...

This is my introduction to a Japanese restaurant and the first time I ever wielded a pair of chopsticks to eat. I could have asked for a spoon and fork just like what I did some years back when I ate at a Chinese restaurant in Waterfront Hotel in Lahug but I thought that in Nonki was my opportune time to learn the use of a chopstick once and for all.

Our manner of eating is a gustatory exploration, tasting a bit from every dish being served on the table in unhurried succession. Only a few from our huge group did the selection of the dishes as most of us are not particular with Japanese food. There was the sushi rolls, salmon sashimi, the wasabi, the teriyaki sauce and others I could not recall. I find that every dish has some unique flavor I never experienced before.

Before we know it, our stomachs were very full that, in jest, we entertained the idea of walking several kilometers to our hotel to relieve the tightness in our abdomen.

Nonki has offered me the delights of discovery of a different kind for an “explorer” in me who revels in the wonders of mountaineering and exploratory trail-biking. Mind you, I was able to use the chopsticks...

First of all, i would say that I was a little bit disappointed with my Paprika Spicy Beef Ramen. i just don't like the texture of the noodles that they use which is an egg noodle. The problem with Egg noodles is that it absorbs too much water. That's why Egg noodles is NOT a perfect noodle for ramen. Hope they're going to change the noodle used. They should use soba or hakata style ramen noodles which is bouncy and chewy. also the broth has no umami flavor. it doesn't have that rich taste that I am looking for.

What I like about Nonki is that the staff are very courteous. They really consider on customers different needs. From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, everything goes well.

The atmostphere gives you that Japanese Restaurant feel. I just wish that the staff should keep their personal feelings to other staffs as a secret. I am saying this because when we ate their, we heard some fighting between the staffs. This presents a bad image to the restaurant and really bothered the total peace that me and my partner wanted as we...