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MANILA -- Ramen Nagi founder, chef Johnnie (Santoshi) Ikuta, recently flew in from Japan to unveil Wonderbowl by Nagi, a Japanese izakaya concept by the Ramen Nagi group, which opened its first branch at the Globe Tower in Taguig.

Wonderbowl differentiates itself from Ramen Nagi by offering a complete izakaya experience. While there is still ramen on the menu, there are other dishes that showcase the chefs’ creativity.

“They were already exploring doing it in different Asian countries, but the Philippines is where Ramen Nagi is very successful. Wonderbowl is our premium brand in terms of showcasing the izakaya experience. It’s about doing exquisite Japanese dishes and ramen being paired with our cocktails," Wonderbowl brand manager Jamie Matibag said, citing the opening of the 20th branch of Ramen Nagi in Eastwood as a testament to the chain’s success here.

“Wonderbowl is where the chefs showcase their culinary passion, where they can come up with special ramen and Japanese dishes with no limits. There is an openness and adaptability for each other’s culture. They like the receptiveness, the openness, and the hospitality of the Filipinos. So they know that if they bring something here, Filipinos will try it and accept it,” added Katrina Rogado, the marketing head of Ramen Nagi group.

The ramen on Wonderbowl’s menu is also different from the ones served in Ramen Nagi, like the Wonder Shio Bowl which offers a stark contrast to Ramen Nagi’s rich tonkotsu-based ramen. Relatively healthy, this bowl has kale, onions, and bamboo shoots that complement its light broth.

The Wonder Bowl Lobster Ramen follows the Nagi formula of using rich and heavy broth. A must for lovers of the clawed crustacean, this one almost resembles a seafood bisque, with a lobster peering from the bowl.

Not to be mistaken with Nagi’s Black King is the Wonder Miso Bowl, which also has black broth but this one is made of blackened miso. It also has Wagyu beef making it a very filling bowl of ramen. Chef Ikuta recommends adding some Sriracha to this to cut the broth’s richness.

Wonderbowl’s menu has a seasonal section that will be changing throughout the year. In this season’s menu is a Grilled Shrimp Ramen which somewhat resembles yakisoba since it does not have soup.

Among the premium items in the menu is the Manga Meat, which consists of a sizeable pork bone wrapped with minced pork, vegetable and spices, and cooked in anoven and drizzled with special sauce.

Torched Bone Marrow has been a staple in high-end restaurants. Wonder Bowl’s version ups the umami with the inclusion of miso atop this indulgent entree.

Lastly, an izakaya won’t be complete without alcohol. The well-appointed bar has the libations one would expect. Beer, whiskey, vodka, and tequila are in the bar list. However, there is a whole section for different labels of sake, and Japanese whiskeys.

Wonder Bowl recruited renowned Japanese “wandering bartender” Makoto Nagano to whip up cocktails on-the-spot during the opening of the restaurant.

True to its Japanese origins, Wonder Bowl‘s bar has sake and shochu cocktails, notably a mojito that uses sake or shochu in place of rum. The Nagi Highball, meanwhile, is the restaurant’s signature drink that does really complement the richness of the noodle bowls.

So slurp some ramen broth, then sip some cocktails. It’s the izakaya way to wind down after a stressful day.

Wonderbowl by Nagi is located at the ground floor of Globe Tower in Taguig. Izakaya hours are from 11 a.m. to 12 mn daily.