Namari, by Chef Chris Oronce, is a Japanese Bistro in Pampanga that features a Teppanyaki Omakase and an Izakaya-inspired Japanese bar.
Namari is Japanese for lead, a very sturdy metal—a name reflecting the Chef’s successful career despite all the odds.
For Chef Chris, giving back to his native Pampanga meant opening twin restaurants: Namari Japanese Bistro and Cactus Jack American Steakhouse in the new Best Western Hotel Metro Clark (the old Saver’s Mall).
We love the food by Chef Chris Oronce, who worked at the renowned Nobu restaurants in Las Vegas, New York and Shibuya in Japan.
When he returned to Manila, he held the the executive chef position at Wafu in Greenhills, where we had a taste of his teppanyaki omakase. Currently, he is the executive chef of the successful Wolfgang Steakhouse franchise in Manila.
The chef’s new Namari offers Japanese Teppanyaki Omakase experience that’s worth the drive all the way to Pampanga.
NAMARI JAPANESE BISTRO
G/F Best Western Hotel Metro Clark (Saver’s Mall), Mc Arthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Facebook: NamariJapaneseBistro
Telephone: +63 999 227-7935
Email: namarijapanesebistro@gmail.com
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Namari Menu: Starters | Teppanyaki Omakase, A’la Carte | A’la Carte | Agemono, Teriyaki | Tempura, Ramen + Noodles, Donburi, Rice | Nigiri & Sashimi, New Style Sashimi Plates | Traditional Rolls, Contemporary Rolls | Sushi Platters | Bento Box | Wines | Soda, Coffee, Shakes, Non-Alcoholic, Beers
Namari has an extensive menu that’s sure to satisfy your Japanese cravings for Teppanyaki, Sushi or Bento Box whenever you are in Pampanga or traveling up north.
Teppanyaki Omakase (₱888, ₱1,088 or ₱1,299/person) – Eat all you can “Omakase Style”. Sit back, relax, and we will take care of the rest.
You got to try their signature Teppanyaki Omakase experience or design your own Teppanyaki courses.
We started with seared apples topped with unagi and foie gras on a bed of rice.
It’s so good that the boys loved every piece of it.
Namari Salad (₱295)
The omakase experience starts with a salad of fresh vegetables and a light Japanese sauce.
Sushi Platter (Tasting): Sake – Salmon (₱225), Maguro – Yellowfin Tuna (₱225)
A sushi cold platter is served as an appetizer while the ingredients and teppan are being prepared.
Nasu Dengaku (₱125)
This is a classic Japanese appetizer made from half-sliced eggplant glazed with miso that tastes like banana.
Garlic Fried Rice (₱85)
The classic teppan starts with fried rice cooked in front of you to stimulate your appetite.
Chicken Teriyaki (₱245). Green beans, cherry tomatoes, teriyaki sauce
First meat course is chicken with sweet teriyaki sauce that kids love.
This is a grilled vegetable course of sliced pumpkin, cucumber and mushrooms.
Grilled Barramundi (₱425). Tomato confit, Ankake Sauce
The barramundi is grilled until the skin becomes crispy while the meat remains juicy. This is topped with an Ankake sauce made from dashi and seaweed for a clean taste of the sea.
We got excited to see the lamb chops grilled with the other end wrapped in foil so that you could eat the meat off the bones.
Lamb with Goma Sauce (₱345/chop)
Each bite of the lamb is so delicious and worth savoring even without the sauce.
I felt like a kid again eating a lollipop and licking the sweet sesame sauce off the bones.
I liked how Chef alternated meat and seafood courses and made sure that each one is grilled to perfection.
Prawn (₱315/pc) and Scallops (₱135/pc)
The shrimps and scallops are juicy, not overcooked, and the uni sauce gives these an extra umami kick.
Finally, the main highlight of the meal is the USDA Black Angus Ribeye that’s seasoned only with salt.
USDA Black Angus Ribeye (₱870/200g,₱1,650/400g,₱2,550/600g)
Best to have it cooked medium rare and seared on the outside.
Every slice makes you salivate and wish you can eat it off the teppan sooner.
Chef Chris makes cooking teppan courses look so easy.
You can ask for their premium sake to pair and to aid digestion as you go through your teppanyaki courses.
Chef recommends Kozaemon Junmai Daiginjo sake.
The teppanyaki usually ends with sushi platter but the rice part is too filling for me.
One of our most memorable meals in Pampanga, Namari’s Teppanyaki Omakase is quite affordable, even allowing additional servings should you ask for more.
The ambiance is stunning though may be intimidating to some. The quality of the ingredients and the way they cook the Japanese food are quite good.
Pampanga is fast becoming a Japanese food destination and Namari is a great meal stop on your way to Clark or Subic or anywhere up north. Budget, about ₱1,000/head.
Congratulations to Chef Chris for an awesome Japanese bistro right in his hometown of Angeles!
NAMARI JAPANESE BISTRO
G/F Best Western Hotel Metro Clark (Saver’s Mall), Mc Arthur Highway, Balibago, Angeles City
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Facebook: NamariJapaneseBistro
Telephone: +63 999 227-7935
Email: namarijapanesebistro@gmail.com
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of Chef Chris. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. The restaurant is not visible from the main Aguinaldo Highway
Namari is located behind the Saver’s Appliances in the ground lobby.
Some people would sit at Cactus Jack for a more casual feel and order Japanese food from Namari.
