NAGI is not really just a Japanese restaurant even though it offers a two page special list of sushi options and a couple of other Japanese dishes as it also has a significant international menu as well.
The sushi is mostly of the ‘California Roll’ variety, including most of the standards and quite a few innovative creations. The Spicy Tuna Roll uses marinated tuna, ‘Mexican’ has shrimp tempura with cream cheese and avocado topped with eel sauce. The Kawai Roll is wrapped in rice paper, inside shrimp tempura, cucumber, lettuce, crab, topped with a spicy mayonnaise.
Nori Rolls can be salmon or tuna and their signature sushi dish is the Golden Night [shrimp tempura, crab, avocado, salmon and tuna flakes]. There is a Salmon Skin Roll and a spicy Volcano Roll. The Spider Roll uses soft shell crabs. The Inferno uses jalapeno chillies to raise the heat level of the tuna and salmon filling.
Most unusual is the Sushi Pizza. NO, there is not a traditional pizza base but instead a thick layer of those Japanese Panko breadcrumbs [pictured], so crunchy! On top is a mix of avocado, spicy tuna and a sweet sauce. Refreshingly different!
The Toro Roll [crab, tuna, cream cheese and cucumber] is also rolled in Panko crumbs to give it a crunch!.
Other Japanese dishes include an excellent Bento Box, perfect for lunch with a small salad, California roll, rice and your choice of chicken [teriyaki, katsu or tempura] which arrives with a rather poor imitation of a miso soup [watery and tasteless].
That Japanese standard, and perfect starter [stolen from the Chinese], Gyoza, is available, pan fried dumplings stuffed with either pork or chicken. The Ramen dish is with chicken katsu and there is a SUSHI combo.
Whilst there are no standard breakfast dishes there are a selection of croissants, pastries, cakes and Danish. Soups, apart from the awful Miso, include a coconut milk based Pumpkin with ginger and lemon grass and a creamy Corn Soup, Salads can be Mango Chicken Sesame, tossed with baby romaine lettuce leaves, boiled egg, sweet corn, croutons and Parmesan. Japanese salads include a Wakame [seaweed] and a Chicken Teryaki salad.
Western dishes include many snack options [chicken wings, nuggets, onion rings, etc.] as well as the international Hamburger [beef, chicken, pork belly or vegetarian]. The Chicken Parmigiana is substantial as are the Pork Ribs and Pork Belly dishes. The wok produced grilled beef is with ginger and soy, Asian style. There is even a range of quite acceptable Pizzas, and the essential local dishes for mixed group dining.
All in all Nagi is a pleasant stopping spot for an anytime meal or snack as the available restaurants of the Ubud area continue to expand into bordering locations, thus avoiding the high rents of Ubud central which results in much more budget dining so well worth searching for.
QUICK REVIEW
Restaurant : Nagi.
Address : Raya Andong 88, Ubud.
Telephone : 908.2180
Open : 9.00.a.m. to 11.00 p.m., daily.
Non-smoking Area : Inside in air-con
Smoking Area : Outside garden terrace.
Parking : Off street, at front.
Price : Rp. 250,000 for two [+ drinks]
Credit Cards : All major cards.
Food : Japanese/International/
Wine : Limited.
Service : Friendly.
Atmosphere : Pleasant and relaxing
Overall : Innovative, good value.
Reviews that appear in Bali Advertiser are based on actual visits to the establishments listed, without the knowledge of the restaurants, and are not paid for by the individual restaurants.
Opinions expressed here are those of Gerry Williams and not necessarily those of Bali Advertiser. Gerry Williams attempts to write from a ‘typical’ diner’s perspective and, whilst quality of food is the most important criteria overall, value for money is the real measuring stick.
Copyright © 2019 Gerry Williams