Had lunch at Sugi and it reminded me why this has remained one of my favorite Japanese restaurants in Makati through the years. They've already moved from their old Greenbelt 2 location and are now at G/F Palm Promenade, Garden Towers along Palm Drive, right across Holiday Inn Makati and near Raffles. The new space feels more refined and intimate while still keeping that warm, understated Japanese elegance the restaurant has always been known for.
One of the first things you notice about the interiors are the beautiful bamboo wooden slats and clean Japanese design details that make the entire restaurant feel calm, polished, and premium without feeling overly formal. It's elegant but still very comfortable for long family lunches and dinners.
Service was excellent throughout the meal. The staff were attentive, quick, and genuinely welcoming without hovering too much. You can really feel that quiet Japanese hospitality the moment you sit down.
One of my absolute favorites remains the Tori Teba Nanbanzuke, crispy fried chicken wings marinated in vinegared vegetables. The vinegar flavor is what makes this dish so addictive. It has the perfect balance of savory, tangy, slightly sweet, and refreshing, especially against the crisp fried chicken skin. Definitely a must-order for me every visit.
The tempura set was also very good and came with thoughtful Japanese side dishes that balanced the meal nicely, including a refreshing Harusame salad, chilled Japanese glass noodles with vegetables in a light vinegar dressing, and an Ohitashi side of seasoned Japanese greens. Both added a clean, light contrast to the richness of the tempura and made the entire set feel very balanced and comforting.
We also ordered the Fuji-san Roll, which was beautifully plated and surprisingly refreshing. It combines apple and cucumber with hamachi, salmon, and tuna tossed in spicy mayo, then finished with wasabi-infused fish roe and crispy carrot strands. There's sweetness, crunch, creaminess, freshness, and a slight kick all in one bite.
Dessert here has also always been consistently good. We had a generous serving of coffee jelly topped with vanilla ice cream, cream, and fruit jelly. It was light, creamy, refreshing, and not overly sweet. The slight bitterness of the coffee jelly paired really well with the vanilla ice cream and made for a perfect ending to the meal.
Overall, Sugi continues to be one of those premium Japanese restaurants you genuinely keep coming back to for years. Consistently good food, elegant interiors, attentive service, and dishes that feel comforting while still elevated. Perfect for family lunches, quiet dinners, or simply when you want really good Japanese food in Makati. read more