(SPOT.ph) One of the first dishes sure to pop in your mind when thinking of Japanese food is sushi. It’s easily one of the most versatile Japanese dishes; some restos go the traditional route with seafood-topped nigiri or go crazy stuffing their maki with everything from salmon and cream cheese to steak and truffle oil. With all the offerings in Metro Manila, it can be difficult to narrow down the list. We start by focusing on Bonifacio Global City—whether you prefer simple or over-the-top rolls, the district has you covered.
Also read:
10 Places for Crazy Sushi in Metro Manila
10 Japanese Restaurants You Can Only Find in BGC and Uptown Bonifacio
Here are the 10 best places for sushi in Bonifacio Global City
Ooma
When talk goes to the best Japanese food in Bonifacio Global City—and anywhere else in Manila for that matter—it would be a crime not to include Ooma. They’ve become known for their modern twists on Japanese cuisine—and that includes their sushi. They’ve recently launched a new menu, so the next time you visit, order the Roasted Eggplant Maki (P245), with the roasted eggplant practically melting on the tongue. We won’t be surprised if you’re unable to resist ordering old favorites like the Truffled Steak Aburi Maki (P295), the truffle oil adding a rich earthiness to the steak chunks.
Ooma is at Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.
Genki Sushi
This charming sushi chain is known for their conveyor belt that brings your order straight to your table but Genki Sushi isn’t just all gimmicks. They offer quite a variety of sushi rolls, from classics to a few out-of-the-box ones. They have three sections to choose from: Maki Mono or the maki, Nigiri, and Gunkan or boat-shaped sushi with the “filling” placed on top of a bed of nori-wrapped sushi rice. Grab a Fried Salmon Cheese Roll (P160) with a crunchy-creamy interior and Tuna Tataki Nigiri (P130) or nigiri topped with seared tuna.
Genki Sushi is at 2/F BGC Stopover Pavilion, Rizal Drive corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City.
Sushi Nori
If you prefer the classics when it comes to sushi, you can’t go wrong with Sushi Nori’s Classic Mix (P269), which has California Maki, Salmon Sushi, and Tamago Sashimi. But any fan of this sushi chain knows that you have to go for their unique sushi creations like the OMG (P349) with blow-torched salmon on top of a roll stuffed with Japanese mayo, tempura flakes, ebiko, and cucumber, or the Sushi Dreams (P249/sushi, P169/temaki). You also have the option to get your sushi in a temaki or hand-roll.
Sushi Nori is at G/F W City Center, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.
Soru Izakaya
At Soru Izakaya, every plate of sushi comes out looking like a piece of art, thanks to the colorful, intricate designs drawn by the staff (though, TBH, we should call them artists at this point) using Japanese mayonnaise. The sushi rolls themselves are just as over-the-top—if you can’t get enough of spicy rolls, go for the Lava Maki (P380). This pile of sushi stuffed with salmon and tuna cubes gets its name from the rich spicy mayo and teriyaki blend running down its sides. It comes topped with crunchy salmon skin, too.
Soru Izakaya is at Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City.
Ogetsu Hime
Ogetsu Hime exudes an air of opulence—you get the impression that dining here is no walk in the park for your wallet. After all, you can trust that all the sushi you feast on here only uses seafood of top-notch quality. The difference is apparent when you taste the Hamachi Sushi (P440), with the hamachi’s fresh oceanic sweetness and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The Amaebi Sushi (P550) or Hokkaido sweet shrimp isn’t the kind of sushi you’ll often see, but with a description like that, you know you can only be in for a treat.
Ogetsu Hime is at 5/F SM Aura Premier, C5 Road corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City.
Keizo
This low-key Japanese eatery promises sushi that is as traditional and close to authentic as it can get. They’ve also been around since 2009—no easy feat in a food landscape as unforgiving as BGC. The simplicity of the Maguro Nigiri (P95), allows the freshness of the bluefin tuna to shine; you can also go for the fresh sweetness of the Hamachi Nigiri (P100). Aside from nigiri, Keizo also offers sushi rolls like Spicy Salmon Maki (P295) and Ebi Tempura Maki (P270).
Keizo is at Unit 1, Kensington Place, 2nd Avenue Crescent Park, Bonifacio Global City.
Ogawa
Ogawa, which means “little river” in Japanese, will transport you to early Japanese times even without a time machine. The restaurant is designed to look like a traditional Japanese home, with a wooden bridge that crosses over a tiny stream and an ancient door that’s more than a century old—it’s impossible not to feel a little bit zen. The sushi is a taste of Japan, too; they import all the seafood for their nigiri straight from the country. You can choose from fatty Maguro Nigiri (P165) and velvety Salmon (P190) to rich Uni (P550/imported, P120/local).
Ogawa is at 2/F The Fort Entertainment Complex, Fort Strip, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City.
Izakaya Sensu
Sharing the space with Japanese gastropub Chotto Matte is Izakaya Sensu, where you can get sushi rolls that explode with flavor. Bring the gang and have the Sensu Roll (P575), an extra-long roll that’s actually two kinds of sushi on one plate: The rolls alternate between one that’s stuffed with tempura asparagus and spicy mayo and topped with spicy tuna, and another that crab-meat mayonnaise, yuzu skin, flying fish roe, mango, and unagi sauce. You can also go for the Sushi Omakase (P450/six pieces, P1,350/10 pieces), which consists of the chef’s selection for the day.
Izakaya Sensu is at G/F Net Park, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.
Nikkei Nama Bar
The sister restaurant of Nikkei also specializes in Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, which, admittedly, does sound odd at first. But Nikkei—and Nikkei Nama Bar—has long proven that it works. A yuzu mayo aioli gives the Lima Roll (P295/five pieces), with white fish, salmon, tuna, and tobiko, a citrusy brightness while the Ceviche Roll (P295/five pieces, P495/10 pieces) with white fish, ceviche sauce, and fresh chili, is a wonderful amalgamation of sweet, sour, and spicy.
Nikkei Nama Bar is at 2/F One Bonifacio High Street, 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City.
Fukudaya
Hidden at The Plaza at Arya Residences, Fukudaya isn’t exactly at the bustling center of Bonifacio Global City, but trust us when we say that this Japanese resto is worth the out-of-the-way visit. Fukudaya showcases their flair in blending modern and traditional styles of cooking with the Fukudaya Roll (P680). The sushi platter has nine different toppings that vary depending on the season, from uni and salmon to roast beef and duck.
Fukudaya is at Unit 7 The Plaza, Arya Residences, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City.
