I’ve always been fascinated with fusion food and how the creation of it came about. I mean come on, you can’t just mix two cuisines and pray that it tastes as appealing as it sounds, or can you? ? If you ask me, Japanese cuisine will always be one of my favorites and yet I am not as familiar with Japanese fusion as I should until recently when I fully experienced Japanese Peruvian dishes at Nikkei.
Did you know that Japanese immigrants in Peru created “Nikkei” cuisine? They’re the ones responsible for unleashing new flavors that are now celebrated across the world. This fusion is what Nikkei restaurant is all about. 2015 is when they first opened their restaurant in Three years and three restaurants later, Nikkei offers new drinks and dishes, one of which is their Now And Then menu.
Jago & I had dinner one Friday night at Nikkei One Rockwell to try out their wine tasting menu.
All smiles appreciating Nikkei’s tasting menu. Loved how each course has the perfect wine to match!
LAURENZ V SINGING GRÜNER VELTLINER Kamptal, Australia
I honestly was giddy inside the moment our server poured the first glass of wine.
I wasn’t able to get the name of this appetiser but it was good. It’s got our palettes ready for entire meal.
TIRADITO
White fish, rocoto sauce, lime juice, cilantro emulsion, red chili, glazed sweet potatoes
TUNA LATKE
Potato pancake, seared tuna, huancaína sauce, cilantro, lemon
CAUSA
Guacamole, octopus confit, panka-miso sauce, chives
PASCAL JOLIVET ATTITUDE SAUVIGNON BLANC Loire Valley, France
EBI FURAI, CEVICHE ROLL and PANKO
EBI FURAI
Fried prawns, avocado, white fish, ceviche sauce, togarashi
CEVICHE ROLL
White fish, cucumber, onion leeks, cilantro, ceviche sauce, fresh chili
PANKO
Salmon, kampyo, truffled cream cheese, cucumber, onion leeks, salad sauce
GÉRARD BERTRAND PINOT NOIR IGP Pays d’Oc, France
FIDEO SALTADO
Peruvian “chow-mien”, shrimp, snapper, squid, pork belly, vegetables, egg yolk
VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, New Zealand
SEARED TUNA WITH SEA URCHIN RISOTTO
Tuna steak, uni with enoki and shiitake mushroom risotto, cilantro, togarashi, katsuobushi
CARRILLERAS
Braised Iberico pork cheeks, truffle potato cream
PICARONES
Sweet potato fried dough, maple syrup, ice cream
My date who’s not a dessert person really enjoyed this sweet potato dish.
Tiradito, Sushi Rolls, Seared Tuna with Sea Urchin Risotto, and Picarones are my favorites. Each dish left a distinct memory on my palette–rich in flavor, variety in texture. Yum! ?
If you’re interested to try Now and Then tasting menu, best to call your preferred Nikkei branch at least a few hours before you dine so they can prepare the dishes well.
Check out the other offerings of Nikkei:
Yes to Php 99 sushi rolls perfect for lunch. YES!
Love oysters? Take advantage of their B1 G1 offer!
Beer lover? Nikkei’s got you covered!
And if you’re a fan of jazz music and want to get over the weekend hump, Nikkei has jazz nights every Wednesday at their One Rockwell branch.
photo from http://lifestyleasia.onemega.com/
If you want to celebrate or hold an intimate gathering with your family or friends, Nikkei One Rockwell branch has a not-so-secret-room called the Issei room. It can comfortably fit 10-15 persons and can be rented with consumable rate for 3 hours.
Capping off the work week with Fridate over Japanese Peruvian food and wine is a winner.
Nikkei restaurant is located at 111 Rada St. Legaspi Village, Makati City; The Podium Mall, Mandaluyong City and at One Rockwell, Rockwell Centre Makati City.
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