Japanese resto thrives amid the crises, expands offering

CEBU, Philippines — Twenty years after the Japanese restaurant brand Nonki entered the restaurant scene in Cebu, the company is now poised to introduce more specialty food dining outlets, keeping pace with the changing preferences of the market.

“Over the years, we’ve stayed true to our vision of offering authentic Japanese cuisine while constantly striving to innovate and exceed our guests’ expectations,” said Nonki Restaurant owner Ma. Ligaya Arong-Machida.

Now joined by her son Junichi to manage the growing chain of restaurants, which is currently present in Davao, Panglao Island in Bohol, Iloilo, and Tacloban, Machida said that despite the challenges faced by the company in recent years-- brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the super typhoon Odette--Nonki Restaurant managed to retain its employees during the two-year pandemic-induced business slump, coupled with losses it incurred during the typhoon.

Part of the innovations that the company ventured into post-pandemic is the introduction of Koshima Japanese Restaurant and Nonki Express both located at the newest shopping destination in Cebu, The Mall of Nustar Cebu.

These Japanese cuisine innovations, a brainchild of Junichi, were able to get favorable responses from the market, prompting them to introduce more specialty Japanese-inspired cuisine restaurants moving forward.

As a restaurateur, Machida expressed optimism in the food business, not only in Cebu but also in other cities, noting that “revenge spending” following the pandemic has also benefited the restaurant industry, including her own.

Today, April 18, 2024, Nonki Restaurant celebrates its 20thyear in the food business. It is one of the longest-running Cebu-grown restaurant brands that stood the test of time.

“We encountered unforeseen challenges. However, rather than becoming discouraged, we tackled adversity with resilience and innovation,” she said in an interview.

As part of its giving-back initiatives, celebrating two decades in the business, Machida announced that all Nonki Restaurants, except the Davao branch, will be giving out a 20 percent discount on the total bill for all dine-in customers today, April 18, 2024.

“We wanted to express our gratitude to our loyal customers and celebrate this milestone in a way that honors the journey we’ve been on together,” she said.

The first Nonki Japanese Restaurant was opened in 2004 at A.S.Fortuna Street in Mandaue City. Today, it has grown to 12 branches and is looking at adding two more restaurants before the year ends.

More innovations and fresh concepts will be introduced in the coming years, Machida added.