Nikkei Robata in The Uptown Ritz is the flagship Nikkei store that features robatayaki, a style of grilling that originated in Hokkaido centuries ago. We loved the charcoal-kissed specialty meats and seafood cooked just right with the juices and flavors intact. Lately, we have been into char-grilled meats because they are healthier and we like their smoky char flavor vs. that of suveed or pan-fried meats.
You’ll feel at home with the wood/white tiles ambiance. It’s a great place to hang out with the family during brunch or in the company of friends come happy hour. There’s no function room but you can reserve the corner table inside for added privacy. The al fresco tables are good on cool nights.
Nikkei Robata
Ground Floor of The Uptown Ritz, 36th Street,
Uptown, Bonifacio Global City
Mobile: +63 (945) 593 7143 / +63 (975) 087 0428
Instagram: @nikkei_robata
Facebook: Nikkei Robata
See menu: https://www.nikkei.com.ph/bgc-robata-branch-menu
Related Blog Posts:
• NIKKEI: Japanese-Peruvian Chic Restaurant in Legaspi Village (First Look) (2015)
• NIKKEI NAMA BAR BGC: Japanese-Peruvian with an Awesome View at One Bonifacio (2019)
• Nikkei Robata // Best of Grilled Japanese-Peruvian Cuisine (2022)
Cocktails
Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Lime juice, ginger syrup, Stanford Shaw ginger ale, nori
We loved this bubbly ginger vodka drink, a bit sweet with lime twist.
Bulldog gin, yuzu, Aperol, raspberry jam, simple syrup
This was refreshingly good, with an addicting citrusy yuzu flavor and gin.
From the Robata Grill
Seared scallops, sushi rice, sesame seeds, uni sauce
The scallops were lightly seared, poured over with uni umami sauce. Yum!
(Note: we used the umami sauce with the other grilled seafoods.)
Free range grilled chicken skewers (thigh & wing), tamago and quail eggs
The kids loved the chicken with its char-grilled flavor absorbed through the skin and its juices intact. A good pica pica to start with the cocktails.
Grilled US Wagyu, Peruvian-style anticucho sauce, togarashi, leeks
Char-grilled Wagyu cubes on skewer marinated in their Peruvian anti-cucho sauce and a dash of togarashi to make each bite interesting.
We fought over each piece. So good!
Charcoal grilled unagi with teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds
Unagi was grilled, well covered with sweet teriyaki sauce. Best eaten with a bit of rice and vegetables to cut through the sweetness.
Robata grilled Esguerra Kurobuta pork belly (1 stick), Ika (2 sticks), Ebi (1 stick), tamago, quail eggs, tare sauce (Japanese barbecue sace)
The best platter! The Kurobuta pork belly was grilled well, and you can eat even the fat. The baby squid’s meat absorbed the BBQ flavors, and you can eat it properly with a good bite. The shrimp was not overcooked, but bitin lang with two pieces.
Charcoal grilled Iberico pork ribs marinated in miso paste, hoisin & oyster sauce, chili corn & okra
Their char-grilled ribs were my favorite. You can eat the meat and fat off the bones and savor the BBQ sauce flavor. You can also slice the meat off the bones, grate the corn and eat it with the creamy sauce.
Charcoal grilled Indonesian black cod, red onion, chili, cilantro, shiso, red wine vinegar, sesame oil & lemon
Loved this grilled black cod with lots of red onion. A bit spicy and best eaten with a dash of lemon.
Robata grilled hamachi collar, tare sauce, cilantro salad
When you think of grilled Japanese perfection, you think of the Hamachi collar jaw with grilled skin and juicy fish meat. Eat it with a bit of the cilantro salad and lemon.
Salmon belly, shiitake, shimeji and enoki mushrooms, asparagus, huancaina sauce (Peruvian yellow bell pepper sauce) and parmesan cheese
A big piece of skewered salmon with juicy meat and belly fat in smoky flavors. Loved the combination with a creamy rich risotto and mixed mushroom flavors.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we love Nikkei’s healthy concept with sushi, ceviche and now grilled specialties. This is our family’s favorite version of Nikkei and the kids loved all the Japanese BBQ char-grilled meats and seafood.
Make sure to order the grilled eel, cod, salmon and hamachi and the kushiyaki platter for seafood lovers. For grilled meat, order the pork ribs or grilled US Wagyu. Budget about ₱800-₱1,500 / head.
Congratulations to the Nikkei Robata team for an awesome char grill concept with winning Japanese-Peruvian flavors!
Nikkei Robata
Ground Floor of The Uptown Ritz, 36th Street,
Uptown, Bonifacio Global City
Mobile: +63 (945) 593 7143 / +63 (975) 087 0428
Instagram: @nikkei_robata
Facebook: Nikkei Robata
See menu: https://www.nikkei.com.ph/bgc-robata-branch-menu
Related Blog Posts:
• NIKKEI: Japanese-Peruvian Chic Restaurant in Legaspi Village (First Look) (2015)
• NIKKEI NAMA BAR BGC: Japanese-Peruvian with an Awesome View at One Bonifacio (2019)
• Nikkei Robata // Best of Grilled Japanese-Peruvian Cuisine (2022)
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Disclosure: Thank you to our friends from Nikkei for the Nikkei Robata experience. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Check out the street mural by Rainer Ma. F. Cruz depicting Okinawans traveling to Peru on their boats, highlighting the Okinawan dancers and the Shisa, Guardian Lions of Okinawa.
