Manila’s dining atmosphere has been known to be quite volatile, with restaurants opening and closing at the whim of an ever-discerning public. There are a handful, however, that seem to be constants in this equation, those establishments that have become institutions, places where cuisine, quality and service is unquestionable.
One of these is Sugi, which many will tell you is one of Manila’s top Japanese restaurants, and has been for almost 30 years.
The restaurant opened in February 2, 1983 at the Greenbelt Arcade, a part of what is now known as Greenbelt 1, a one floor affair that had teppanyaki tables and a wishing well. A second branch was opened in Greenhills in 1993. In 2000, Sugi’s Makati branch transferred to its current location in Greenbelt 2, where it sprawls two floors, exuding a more modern - but still family oriented - vibe than its predecessor. But that’s as far as the difference goes.
The restaurant has many signature dishes that have been on the menu ever since it opened, dishes that have become part of the restaurant’s DNA. These include staples like the tempura, teppanyaki, gindara and chicken and beef terriyaki. Despite the restaurant’s traditional fare, Sugi’s chefs are constantly injecting the menu with their own personal creations, which can be found in the Chef ’s Recommendations, or the Menu of the Month.
