When it comes to satisfying your ramen craving, you can’t go wrong with Ramen Nagi. Founded by Chef Ikuta Satoshi in 2006, the ramen chain arrived in Philippine shores in December 2013, and fans of this Japanese noodle dish need not go very far for authentic ramen. At the helm of all Ramen Nagi stores in Manila is Chef Ryoichi Josh Nishio, one of the founders of Ramen Nagi. He visits and audits all the Ramen Nagi stores and ensures that the brand consistently delivers the highest quality of food based on the Japan standards.
In January 2023, Chef Ryoichi dropped by Robinsons Antipolo for a store visit. In a Q&A with the chef, he revealed that the Butao or Original King—which highlights the chain’s award-winning tonkotsu or pork bone broth—is Ramen Nagi’s signature dish and “the ramen of choice.”
Apart from the Butao King, Ramen Nagi also has other ramen variants on their menu: the spicy Red King for those who want some heat in every sip; the Black King for those who like their noodles with squid ink; and Green King for pesto fans. When it comes to side dishes, their gyoza is a favorite, says the chef.
The chain is also known for their limited-run ramen offerings that are arguably more for adventurous palates. Some of the flavors they’ve made available in the past include Ebi King, Oyster King, and even Filipino dish-inspired takes like Binagoongan King, Seafood Tinola, and Aligue King.
With these staples and occasional surprises, Ramen Nagi continues to capture the hearts of the Pinoy foodie. Even loyal patrons discover something new to love about Ramen Nagi—in 2022, the ramen shop waves online for their Nagi Kiddie Meal, where dishes are served on a toy car. It was a hit not just for the kids but for the kids at heart.
According to Chef Ryoichi, Ramen Nagi’s Robinsons Antipolo branch—which opened in October 2022—belongs to the Top Ramen Nagi shops in the Philippines, out of 32 branches nationwide. “The Antipolo market is tried and tested. Even during the pandemic, our Frozen Ramen Satellite Freezer [did] very well.This made us decide to prioritize the opening of our physical shop at the expansion mall [of Robinsons Antipolo],” he says. “This is [the] only shop at the East part of Metro Manila and guests are very happy that they don’t need to travel far to satisfy their Ramen Nagi craving,” he adds.
Ramen Nagi is just one of the many flourishing restaurants that you can find in Robinsons Antipolo. From well-loved international franchises to homegrown brands, Robinsons Antipolo offers plenty of options for dining, shopping, and recreation.
Ramen Nagi is located at the Lower Ground Level of Robinsons Antipolo, Sumulong Highway corner Circumferential Road, Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City, Rizal. For more information, visit www.robinsonsmalls.com or follow RobinsonsMalls on Facebook; @RobinsonsMallsOfficial on Instagram; and @RobinsonsMalls on Twitter.
