Traditional Japanese grilling has always had a way of turning simple ingredients into something special. At Nanbantei, an international chain of yakitori restaurants with locations in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and the Philippines, that tradition has been at the heart of the experience for years and has been fully embraced and enjoyed by Filipinos.
Today, Nanbantei continues to honor the art of Japanese grilling while bringing together traditional techniques, carefully selected ingredients, and warm Japanese hospitality. With all this in mind, Nanbantei is giving their menu a refresh as they enter a new chapter here in the country.
The 2026 menu, which Nanbantei describes as being more focused but still authentic, brings together revamped favorites, premium grilled specialties, and a more focused selection designed around freshness and quality. Here’s what makes the new Nanbantei menu worth getting excited about:
1. Smaller Menu, Fresher Products
They say “less is more.” Nanbantei is simplifying their menu, with more curated choices that allow the team to put greater attention into freshness, consistency, and quality. Some menu items from the past have been completely removed, concentrating instead on favorites, as well as premium items that stay true to Nanbantei’s vision. The result is a menu that feels easier to navigate without feeling limited. By narrowing its focus, Nanbantei can master their offerings once again and put more care into every dish.
2. Yakitori at its the Core
Yakitori is at the heart of Nanbantei, and while the new menu narrows down the choices, this means that all your favorite cuts are grilled to perfection. Nanbantei is giving their core sticks stronger visibility, making them easier to see, navigate, and discover. It’s a simple change, but an important one as it brings the brand back to the craft of Japanese grilling that has always been its foundation.
3. Elevated Premium Quality
The refreshed menu also opens the door to a new selection of premium grilled specialties. The new Premium Grilled section offers diners more ways to enjoy Nanbantei’s craft of grilling, from seafood and specialty cuts to richly flavored beef.
Among the new offerings are the Ribeye Yaki, the Hamachi Yaki, the Maguro Yaki, and the Ika Yaki, with several ingredients being flown in fresh from Japan. These premium offerings also come with upgraded presentation, making the quality more visible before the first bite. It’s a more elevated side of Nanbantei, while still staying true to the brand’s Japanese grilling roots.
4. More Focused Offers
With the menu getting a refresh, some old favorites are moving out of the core lineup, but don’t worry, they’re not disappearing completely. Nanbantei will continue bringing back select favorites as weekly offerings, giving diners something different to look forward to.
For example, the Japanese Bowls have been moved out of the core menu and into a dedicated weekday insert. This gives Nanbantei more flexibility to introduce holiday specials and limited-time offerings, while keeping the main menu focused on the dishes the brand does best.
5. Bringing Authentic Japanese Food to the Next Level
Perhaps the most exciting part of the refresh is that Nanbantei isn’t trying to become something completely different. Instead, it’s finding itself again and remastering what it already does best.
As Luigi Vera of Nanbantei puts it, there is no value in a concept that isn’t authentic to begin with. That’s why the refresh focuses on bringing back what makes Nanbantei unique, while making thoughtful changes that make the experience more approachable to Filipinos, all without losing the authentic Japanese dining experience at the heart of the restaurant.
Even with this updated menu, the Nanbantei experience remains the same. You can still expect quality grilling, carefully selected ingredients, and the warmth of Japanese hospitality. It’s a refreshed Nanbantei that’s more focused, more elevated, more reachable, and still authentically Japanese.
Photos from Nanbantei of Tokyo.