There’s no shortage of Japanese restaurants in the southern area of the metro—BF Homes alone houses at least 24 within the subdivision alone. So having the guts to open up another one must mean that you’re either unimaginative or incredibly talented.

Fortunately, Matthew Floro Tanjuakio was the former. “After college, I thought it would be best to specialize on something,” he said. It wasn’t long before he was off to the California Sushi Academy, best known for their Japanese fusion techniques. The institute equipped the budding shokunin with the skills to set up his own business back home.

Beginning in 2011 at little bazaars in the Alabang area, Sushi Ninja gained a loyal following that loved his original creations of classic rolls, like California maki, spicy tuna roll and the Philadelphia, and strongly encouraged the entrepreneur to open an actual restaurant that came soon after Tanjuakio’s stint at the Tokyo Sushi Academy.

Armed with newfound knowledge of more traditional Japanese culinary culture, the dream restaurant opened its doors at Westgate Alabang boasting of a menu that includes both standard sushi favorites and Tanjuakio’s original fusion creations, such as the Okinawa Toshi, deep-fried rice ball with cream cheese ebiko, truffle oil topped with seared salmon, and the Spicy Tuna Tsujiki Maki with spicy tuna, cucumber, negi, nori powder, and spicy mayo.

So long, ramen!

Photos by Artu Nepomuceno

Sushi Ninja. Westgate Center, Filinvest , Alabang, Muntinlupa City. (02) 556-7706, (0917) 837 8744. www.facebook.com/sushininjaph.

Source: Denise Danielle Alcantara for Southern Living, “On A Roll,” January 2015