Japanese food has been the rage for the past few years. It comes as no surprise given our penchant for all things Japanese, add to that our innate love for the bounties of the sea.

With this, we could only be happy to see Japanese restos sprouting here and there, offering everything from ramen to katsu, sashimi to sushi.

And one of the latest establishments to offer a wide variety of the beloved sushi is Nagi Sushi, the newest addition to the Nagi Group's portfolio.

Nagi Sushi at Ayala Triangle Gardens Makati opened its doors this October Nagi Sushi

Last October 6, Nagi Sushi officially launched its first-ever branch at The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Lucky residents and employees working near the area can now indulge themselves on fresh sushi every day. Even regular joggers at the gardens can easily grab a well-deserved post-run platter of their favorite sushi and even order a steaming bowl of ramen to go with it.

Premium sushi sets and a bowl of butao ramen Nagi Sushi

The launch saw the hip yet cozy restaurant packed full with members of the press, influencers, and the Nagi Sushi team led by Ramen Nagi vice president chef Nishio-san, sushi master chef Oshikiri, and a team of Japanese chefs who know their sushi like the back of their hand.

Nagi Sushi was conceived with the goal of combining two of the best-known and most well-loved Japanese dishes: ramen and sushi. So, if you love Japanese cuisine as much as we do, then this is the place where you’ll get the best of both worlds—a comforting bowl of ramen with a plateful of the freshest sushi on the side.

Chef Oshikiri (left) and chef Nishio-san, Ramen Nagi vice president (right) Nagi Sushi

After a short message welcoming the guests, chef Oshikiri proceeded to hold a quick “Art of Sushi” masterclass, where he and his team of chefs demonstrated the skills needed in making proper sushi and sashimi.

Chef Oshikiri has over three decades of experience in Japanese cuisine, including five years perfecting the art of sushi and decades further honing his craft at the famed Tsukiji fish market, the world’s largest sushi marketplace.

Guests had the privilege of watching the chef at work as he showcased his impeccable knife skills and artistry from making to plating sushi.

He also explained the difference between Nagi Sushi's two distinct styles of sushi: Edomae-style, which preserves the pristine state of the fish, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience with each mouthful; and Temaki-style, which is sushi that’s hand-rolled to perfection.

Japanese chefs busy preparing for the “Art of Sushi” masterclass Nagi Sushi

Chef Nishio-san underscored how Nagi Sushi selects only the finest Japanese tuna and salmon for its offerings, ensuring each fish is chosen for its freshness and fat content, two important components that make an exquisite piece of sushi.

Its top-quality ingredients are air-flown directly from Japan and processed by the chefs with razor-sharp precision.

A chef offering us a plate of freshly sliced tuna sashimi Nagi Sushi

Moreover, Nagi Sushi makes use of seasoned sushi rice made from the Koshikari variety and seasoned with traditional aka-zu vinegar, which lends every dish a rich and layered umami.

The nori, meanwhile, is sourced from Tsutaken Shoten in Yokohama. It’s not only delightfully crispy but also has a full-bodied taste that serves to enhance the sushi’s flavor and not overpower it.

Chef Oshikiri has over three decades of experience in Japanese cuisine. Nagi Sushi

Lastly, the wasabi—a must in every sushi experience—is sourced from Kaneku and is made using a mix of traditional and innovative techniques.

The best of both worlds

Nagi Sushi carries all types of ramen from Ramen Nagi, while adding to its menu a slew of sushi varieties that come in single orders or in its highly recommended and well-curated “premium sets.”

Premium set 1 has a sampling of different nigiri: chutoro, akami, salmon, hamachi, and katsuo. It costs P780 if you order only the sushi set and P1,080 if want to accompany it with a bowl of Ramen Nagi’s classic butao.

Premium set 1 Nagi Sushi

Meanwhile set 2 has chutoro, akami, and salmon nigiri, and katsuo-don and torotaku temaki. This set will set you back P880 (sushi only) or P1,180 (with butao).

Premium set 2 Nagi Sushi

Premium set 3 includes chutoro, akami, salmon, unagi, katsuo, and hamachi nigiri, and katsuo-don and torotaku temaki. Price tag is at P1,280 if sushi only and P1,580 if you want it with butao.

Premium set 3 Nagi Sushi

You can upgrade your ramen to Red, Black, or Green King for an additional P365, +P450 for the Wonder Kakuni King, or +P520 for the Niboshi King.

Other sets include the Temaki, Maguro, and Salmon varieties which you can also order as only sushi or with your go-to ramen.

You can order your sushi per piece, with prices ranging from P180/piece to as much as P1900 for eight pieces.

Nagi Sushi’s temaki rolls Nagi Sushi

Nagi Sushi also has an extensive beverage menu which includes alcoholic beverages which can be paired well with sushi. It has Japanese and local beers and highballs such as watermelon lychee-, yuzu-, and orange basil-flavored ones.

Its selection of sake should not be frowned upon, as it carries nine varieties including Sake Kubota, Geikeikan Nigori Sake, and Hakushika Ginji Namachozo.

The interior of Nagi Sushi has a hip blend of traditional and modern elements. Nagi Sushi

Erickson Farillas, the visionary behind the Nagi Group, expressed his excitement during the launch, saying that Nagi Sushi is a place where you can experience “the true essence of Japanese culture” from the food to the vibe.

“We want our guests to feel like they are stepping into another world when they enter our restaurant, and we hope that they leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and connected to the heart of Japan,” he said.

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Nagi Sushi is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily | FB: @nagisushiph | IG: @nagisushiph | The Shops at Ayala Triangle, Makati