Located in Brgy. Paligsahan, NANKA is a 120-seater standalone restaurant that recently branded from a Japanese Latin concept into a Japanese Steakhouse concept under the helm of Executive Chef Michael Santos.
It’s now known as one of the best steakhouses in Quezon City, serving Japanese Wagyu imported from Japan and Black Onyx Angus Steaks and WX (Wagyu-Angus) meats from Ranger Valley, Australia (usually only served in hotels).
Here are some tips on what to order on your next steakhouse dining with the family at Nanka…
NANKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
1810 Mother Ignacia Ave. corner Roces Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
Operating Hours: Mondays to Saturday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Telephone: +632 8517-9677
Mobile: +63 977 621-8472
Email: nanka.japsteakhouse@gmail.com
Facebook:Nanka Japanese Steakhouse
Instagram: @nanka_ph
First Things First
Nanka is located in a quiet neighborhood on the corner of Mother Ignacia and Roces Avenues where Moomba was formerly located.
It’s quite homey, like stepping into a big living room that can fit 100+ people with a stage area for ballroom dancing or live performances.
The grain-fed steaks, air-flown chilled from Australia, are presented to show their marbling and give you a choice between Black Angus (pure Angus) or WX (Wagyu X Angus crossbreed).
Menu: Sashimi, Inari | Appetizers | Salads & Soup | Mains | Pasta, Rice | Bar Chows | Oysters | Maki Rolls | Steaks | Meats, and Sides | Desserts | Beers, Wines, Spirits | Cocktails, Shots
The food is straightforward, with your Japanese comfort favorites in big portions just the way the QC market loves them.
Appetizers
Go for the signature roll which resembles a big California maki (without the mango) but topped with unagi and spicy mayo for added umami.
Big slices of tuna seared just right, an appetizer that’s good value for money to start with.
The oysters were the best—plump and juicy, served Rockefeller style or with sweet Hollandaise sauce. Yum! Yum!
Big hipon skewered and grilled with togarashi. Best to eat together with pasta or salad.
Pasta
A Japanese-inspired pasta with sweet sauce and shiitake mushrooms that was a surprising hit with the boys.
You’ll love this pasta for its simplicity and generous toppings of garlic!
Steak
Steaks are presented on a heated plate served with salt, chimichuri and sauce, but I loved the steak better as is with just its natural juices.
Specify for them to cook it medium (sometimes order it medium rare to get the desired cooking), sliced, served with its bone, fats and all its juices.
The Malbec was decent and a good table red, but steaks this good deserved a better Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon pairing.
Ordered the WX striploin for leaner meat that was still tender and full of flavor. It was a bit more expensive than Black Onyx but it was something the kids would love. 🙂
Desserts
They have a bakeshop that is known for its Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake and Sansrival.
Our favorite was the sansrival for its chewy nutty texture with less butter in between.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we definitely loved the steaks and the comfort food favorites: oysters, maki roll and pasta. The restaurant was quite big and homey but they need to refresh the furniture and the layout inherited from Moomba to match the higher quality of the food.
Best of all, it’s good value for money considering the quality of the ingredients, luxurious space and the caliber of the chef. Budget about ₱1,500/head.
It can accommodate 50+ people and address different tastes and budgets—a great place to celebrate a special occasion and family reunion.
Congratulations to Chef Michael Santos and the culinary team for the successful rebranding and steakhouse concept!
NANKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
1810 Mother Ignacia Ave. corner Roces Ave., Quezon City, Philippines
Operating Hours: Mondays to Saturday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Telephone: +632 8517-9677
Mobile: +63 977 621-8472
Email: nanka.japsteakhouse@gmail.com
Facebook:Nanka Japanese Steakhouse
Instagram: @nanka_ph
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of the good people of Nanka. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions and insights.
P.S. Skip the dessert unless you want to order a birthday cake for the celebrant.