Ogetsu Hime is the Japanese restaurant in Manila we go to most frequently. It’s in a convenient location at SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City, has friendly service and good food at reasonable prices. They offeBonifacior sushi as well as teppanyaki and sukiyaki – three traditional Japanese ways of serving food!
Ogetsu Hime is located on the 5th floor of the SM Aura mall. That makes it very convenient for us – it’s down the hall from our gym – or for anybody out for a movie or shopping in Bonifacio Global City. I’m generally not a big fan of mall restaurants, but this floor is mostly restaurants and Ogetsu Hime has indoor seating for some privacy.
On entry, you see the sushi bar with bar seating, you can watch the chefs prepare your fresh fish. In the center of the restaurant are the large teppanyaki grills, surrounded by seats that can fit a large group. And you have booths of tables on each side for smaller groups that can accommodate sukiyaki preparation at your table.
The host and staff behind the sushi bar welcome you to the restaurant in Japanese. We always come here for the sushi and sit at the bar. On each visit, we had our menus quickly and staff was attentive to take drink and food orders as soon as we were ready. We are offered water and tea and our drinks and food arrive very quickly.
Ogetsu Hime has a long menu of nigiri and sashimi style sushi as well as rolls in different preparation. In addition to the traditional rolls, there are also some unique combinations that are worth trying out, like the Oyako Shake Roll with salmon tartare, cream cheese, chives rolled in crispy salmon skin with avocado, torched wasabi mustard mayonnaise topped with salmon roe!
We always have a selection of sashimi and nigiri sushi as well, and always found the fish to be fresh and of good quality. The portions are very generous and – despite having been a number of times – we often end up barely being able to finish.
The prices are comparable to other sushi restaurants in BGC or Makati. Ogetsu Hime runs specials with 50% off, making it reasonable. Keep in mind that they don’t include a service charge in the bill which is rare these days at nicer restaurants in Manila!
Bottomline: Ogetsu Hime is in a very convenient location, service if prompt and friendly and the sushi is fresh and off good quality. The mall location and open layout don’t provide great ambience and the food is probably not the “best ever” sushi, so I wouldn’t plan a romantic date here, but it’s good and reliable and we’ll be back regularly!