Nikkei Nama Bar BGC — Restaurant in Taguig

Nikkei Nama Bar BGC is more than a restaurant; it's a sensory extravaganza. A choral "Irasshaimase!" welcome sets the tone for an energetic and fun event.

One must try the cocktails at Nikkei Nama Bar. An exquisitely balanced cocktail with lime, mint, nori, ginger, and Havana Club rum—the Norito—is my favorite. Ruby Sake Soda, made with a combination of sake, grapefruit, and gin, is a powerful cocktail, while Sake Sangria is a delicious celebration. The bar's commitment to craftsmanship and originality shines through with every sip.

While the drinks shine, the food doesn't take a backseat. With its smokey char and salty bite, Flamed Edemame is the excellent appetizer to go with your first sip. Every bite of these sushi rolls is a symphony of flavors and textures, a true culinary masterpiece. I fell head over heels with the Unagi Asparagus, which had a delightful balance of sweet and spicy eel with crunchy asparagus. The Ceviche Mixto, too? A burst of oceanic brightness, the delicate seafood twirling with the tart citrus of leche de tigre.

One of the things I love most about Nikkei Nama Bar BGC is the tapas-style portions. They're perfect for sharing, allowing you to try a little bit of everything (and trust me, you'll want to!). The Yakitori Platter is a must-order, the grilled chicken skewers bursting with juicy flavor, while the Chipirones Fritos are a delightful surprise, the crispy baby squid dipped in creamy miso mayo and fiery rocoto mayo.

Nama Bar isn't just another spot like Nikkei and Nikkei Robata; it's about the atmosphere. The smaller quantities and laid-back vibe make it perfect for a night out with friends, perfect for sharing plates and laughing. Here, the food is as essential as the company, and you can expect to hear a fresh tale with every mouthful, and have another good laugh...

Restaurant Ambience and Service: A very contemporary interior with just the right amount lighting is always something to uphold in a restaurant — and Nikkei definitely delivers on this aspect.

The acoustics inside the restaurant is flawed by how every sound from the kitchen bounces off the ceiling onto the diners — it’s not music to the ears especially when you’re out with friends — but it can be a very interesting point of discussion.

The staff were friendly and attentive — which is always a delightful experience.

The Food: I ordered the Salmon, Prawn, Unagi and Snapper Nigiri/s — the amount of wasabi (which was powdered) used was just enough for the unsuspecting tongue — which was an amazing experience altogether.

An extra serving of the Smoked Salmon Roll became the demise of my dining experience as the added cream cheese did nothing to improve the texture of this sushi roll. However the flavors have outstanding contrast (sweet and salty).

The Ruby Sake Soda for an after-meal drink did not do the trick on putting the cherry on top — the main problem is how the glass seemed unfit to handle the drink and is almost impossible to get a sip without a number of small melting ice bits damaging your teeth. The cocktail can improve on taste and preparation. It’s aesthetically pleasing to look at though, but not enough to salvage the experience

In total, I would consider going back to this restaurant and perhaps try other items on their menu. Their Nagiri, however, is something I can add to...

I always pass by this restaurant but it is always full in the evenings. It's a good thing that when we decided to eat here for Sunday brunch, it was not as busy. As a Zomato Gold member, I got a 2+2 on drinks promo and we decided to order the Mr Ozaki, their own version of the Arnold Palmer. Half iced tea and iced lemonade, it was perfect drink for a hot summer day. For starters, they gave us complimentary chips, potato and sweet potato (house made I'm guessing) with a side of garlic mayo dip. I loved the chips. They were perfectly crisp and the dip was the perfect partner. We also decided to get the spicy tuna maki (5 pcs only as I don't want to get too full). The flavors were perfectly balanced and not too overwhelmingly spicy like other restos. For the mains, I tried the Fideo Saltado - stir fried noodles with shrimps, bonito flakes, cilantro, veggies, and egg yolk. I loved this though my husband thought it was a bit bland. I really liked the addition of cilantro to this dish but I would have preferred to have a bit of spice. A few pinches of togarashi really helped give a lift in flavor. My husband opted to get the Iberico Pork Ribs with grilled corn and okra. I found this to be just OK. I think it would have been better if he paired this with plain rice instead of the Japanese Fried Rice. Overall, I'm happy and satisfied with this restaurant. Will definitely eat here again. Just not during...