Get your #RamenForARainyDay at Ramen Nagi, Greenhills

When the skies open up and rain begins to pour, few things are as comforting as a hot, flavorful bowl of ramen. Fortunately, at Ramen Nagi’s Greenhills branch, this comfort food reaches new heights, offering a variety of dishes perfect for those cozy, rainy days and providing Greenhills shoppers with a welcome break from their retail adventures.

I recently met up with foodie friends at this branch to sample its offerings.

Want to know why this Ramen Nagi branch is the go-to spot for your rainy day cravings? Read on.

The Nagi Spirit: A Journey from Japan to the World

Ramen Nagi’s story is a testament to passion and innovation. It all began in 2006 when founder Satoshi Ikuta opened a tiny restaurant in Fukuoka, Japan. With limited space, customers were encouraged to share tables, creating a communal dining experience. Chef Ikuta prepared each bowl of ramen right in front of his diners, setting a new standard in the ramen world. His groundbreaking approach of serving a different type of ramen every day for 365 days quickly garnered a loyal following.

This small restaurant’s success soon spread by word of mouth, leading to long queues and a growing reputation as a top gourmet ramen destination. Chef Ikuta then took his passion overseas, opening his first international outlet in Hong Kong. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, his dedication to crafting personalized bowls of ramen won over the local clientele. The introduction of the omotenashi sheet, allowing customers to customize their ramen according to their preferred broth richness, noodle hardness, add-ons and more, was a hit. Today, Ramen Nagi has expanded to various countries, including the Philippines, bringing the same dedication to flavor and quality.

Its outlet in Greenhills Shopping Center brings its flavorful offerings to shoppers who want a comforting respite in between shopping bouts.

The Ramen Variants: A Showcase of Flavors

Ramen Nagi’s menu is a showcase of diverse and rich flavors, making it the perfect destination for a rainy day meal. Here are some of its standout ramen variants:

Red King: The Ultimate in Savory Spiciness

For those who crave a spicy kick, the Red King is a must-try. This bowl features a fiery blend of garlic, chili oil, and cayenne pepper in a rich tonkotsu broth. Savory chashu slices and miso-infused minced pork add depth and richness. Topped with Nagi fire sauce and kikurage leeks, this ramen offers an added layer of spice and freshness, perfect for warming up on a cold, rainy day.

Black King: Into the Deep End of Sumptuous Flavor

The Black King is a unique fusion of earth and sea flavors. Blackened garlic and calamari ink enrich the signature tonkotsu broth, creating a deep, aromatic experience. Chashu slices, minced pork, black sesame, and Nagi spices add to the complexity of this bowl. It’s a hearty option that brings comfort and warmth with every slurp.

Wonder Kakuni King: A Wondrous Kind of Richness

This variant features tender chunks of braised pork belly in a luscious tonkotsu broth. The pork belly is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, complemented by leeks, kikurage, and a touch of fire sauce. The Wonder Kakuni King is a comforting choice that highlights the rich flavors of pork and the deep umami of the broth.

Premium Butao: Classic Butao Turns Boujee

For those looking for a luxurious take on ramen, the Premium Butao is the answer. This bowl features thin, handmade noodles in a rich tonkotsu broth, topped with pork chashu, fresh truffle slices, and foie gras. Enhanced with balsamic vinegar, shoyu, and ramen tare, the Premium Butao offers an elevated flavor experience that is both indulgent and satisfying.

The Nagi Experience: Savoring Every Layer

To fully appreciate Ramen Nagi’s offerings, there’s a recommended way to enjoy your bowl:

1. Start with the Broth: Pick up your bowl and slurp the soup to savor the fragrant broth’s initial layer of taste. The act of slurping introduces air into the broth, enhancing the flavor.
2. Enjoy the Noodles: Grab a few strands of noodles from the bottom of the bowl and slurp again. This time, enjoy the umami flavors from the pork and the subtle sweetness from the noodles.
3. Add the Fire Sauce: Finally, mix in Ramen Nagi’s special fire sauce to let the flavors erupt, creating a complex and satisfying taste. This final step brings all the layers of flavor together.

Beyond Ramen: Sides, Desserts, and Drinks

We also got to check out more Ramen Nagi’s menu that extends beyond ramen, which include sides that perfectly complement your meal.

Nagi Star Salad: A refreshing mix of green cabbage, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes with crispy noodles and a mayo mustard drizzle. Served with sesame vinaigrette on the side, it’s a light start to your meal.

Classic Chicken Karaage: Perfectly marinated and deep-fried Japanese fried chicken served with a mayo mustard dip. This dish is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Pork Tonkatsu: Deep-fried Japanese pork cutlet with panko breadcrumbs, served with a savory tonkatsu sauce and shredded green cabbage on the side.

Gyoza: Juicy meat and vegetable dumplings with a crisp finish, served on a sizzling plate.

Curry Spring Roll: Flavorful ground pork, vegetables, and vermicelli wrapped in rice paper and deep-fried until golden brown.

Nagi Kiddie Meal: A delightful mix for young diners, including a Kiddie Butao, a side dish, Chashu Rice, and vanilla ice cream.

For dessert, Ramen Nagi offers unique ice cream flavors inspired by Japanese condiments such as Wasabi, Matcha, and Black Sesame. These sweetly refreshing treats are the perfect way to end your meal.

To complement your ramen, Ramen Nagi has partnered with TeaCo to provide healthy and refreshing beverage options. Its tea variants – Honey Lemon, Peach Mango, and Mixed Berries – are made with 100% real black tea and sweetened with Stevia. TeaCo’s Apple Juice drink, made with 100% fresh apple juice, is also available.

Having enjoyed our #FavoriteRamen and more at Ramen Nagi’s Greenhills branch, my foodie friends and I can say that it provides a cozy sanctuary from the rain, where each bowl of ramen and every side dish brings warmth and comfort. So should the weather turn gloomy, do head to Ramen Nagi, Greenhills, and let its delicious offerings provide the perfect comfort on a rainy day.

This Ramen Nagi branch is located at Ground Floor, O Square 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 77505616.

To stay updated on Ramen Nagi’s promos and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant. Food items are served free of charge in exchange for honest feedback and this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Ramen Nagi: