NAKAJI 割烹なかじ kappou nakaji in Metro Manila

"Am not usually a big fan of udon, but the udon here was really tasty and I loved that they offer smaller size portions. I also loved the tofu! Their gyoza was nothing really special, and their drinks were just average. But I’d definitely go back to try more of the udon!"

"Must try: 1. Yakitori (we usually ask for the platter with the top 5 recommended yakitori, and it's best to get the salted ones). 2. Karaage with tartar sauce 3. Egg roll"

"Food was great. The noodles were cooked perfectly, the salmon sashimi and aburi were well-seasoned, and the karaage was so crunchy and refreshing. Though the lemon sour just tasted like lime water with no alcohol. Which is quite disappointing. The place is also small and cramped, making it hard to hold a conversation. I’d recommend dining outside or during off-peak hours."

"The dishes really impressed me. The mackerel, gyoza, mentaiko, and the beef noodle soup were all great – each had its own distinctive flavor that made the meal memorable. However, on my second visit, I noticed a change in quality. The soup wasn’t as rich as before, and the mentaiko lacked its usual creamy texture. This was a bit disappointing, especially considering how good my first experience was. I'm hoping this was just an off day and that they'll bounce back to the previous standard. On the positive side, the service at Nakaji is consistently good. The staff is attentive, making sure your dining experience is as smooth as possible. One thing to note is the space. It can feel a bit cramped inside, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Overall, Nakaji has the potential to be a fantastic dining spot, provided they maintain the quality that made them stand out on my first visit. Definitely worth trying for their unique dishes and good service."

"I just got home from my meal here today. I initially saw this while google maps surfing around the area and it got me interested. But, a friend recently also asked me about this so I really had to come (did an ocular visit on this place though 2 weeks back out of curiosity. Good way to walk the dog also.) This place is a place meant for drinking. They serve small plates which we enjoyed. The highlight for us is the niku niku udon because of the very strong beefy taste that was well balanced by the huge amount of ginger on it. Also really liked the hamachi w/ sesame and the shimesaba (good level of vinegar). Among the items we purchased, the only things we will not order again is the gyoza and the chicken skin. Apart from the food, the theme of this restaurant is really nice - it's filled with cute cats. This will now be a part of our regular Japanese restaurant rotations in the area. Looking forward to coming back!"

"This relaxed, hole-in-the-wall spot is a local favorite (lots of Japanese diners!). I loved the melt-in-your-mouth aburi shimesama and the crispy gyoza. They have a good selection of Japanese beers, sake, and shochu. No dress code, just come hungry!"

"Food is 5/5. Both the Udon and the Chicken Tempura (yes, tempura - not karaage!) are totally on point! For me it's really the chicken tempura that stole the show - crunchier, better than your usual karaage. Service wasn't the best though. Staff are wearing slippers without any socks so you could literally see their feet while you dine in. They're not as much welcoming as well compared to your usual Japanese restaurants. Also, the time it takes to serve the food is really a lot. Waited almost 30 mins for our orders to be complete. If coming in as a group - better have a reservation. Overall good food really stole the show so definitely recommending it!"

"Really really enjoyed my meal here in Nakaji! Everything was so so tasty and good! Loved the Niku Udon- flavors were perfect, it wasn’t too rich. Other recos: Karaage, Mackerel Sashimi & Gyoza. Would totally come back for more!"