Japanese cuisine is often associated with sushi, ramen and katsu curry, but at Cheltenham restaurant Nagomi it's a very different style of dining that's become the biggest talking point.
Co-owners Portia and Paul Brown have revealed that yakiniku – a traditional Japanese barbecue where diners cook premium cuts of meat and seafood over their own tabletop grill – has become the restaurant's bestselling dining experience since opening.
Popular across Japan and South Korea, yakiniku is still unfamiliar to many diners in Gloucestershire, something Portia and Paul hope is beginning to change.
What is Japanese yakiniku barbecue and why is it so popular?
Unlike a traditional restaurant meal, yakiniku is designed to be shared. Guests choose from a selection of carefully prepared meats and seafood before cooking everything at the table themselves, creating a relaxed, interactive experience that naturally encourages conversation and sharing.
It's this combination of great food and shared experience that has helped make yakiniku the standout choice at Nagomi, with many guests introducing friends and family to it on return visits.
Portia said: 'People are often intrigued when they first hear about yakiniku because it's something many haven't experienced before. Once they've tried it, though, it's lovely to see them returning with friends and family so they can share the experience. It brings people together around the table in a really natural way.'
Whether it's couples looking for a different date night, families celebrating a special occasion or friends catching up over dinner, the interactive style of dining offers something unique that goes beyond simply ordering a meal.
The bestselling Japanese and Korean dishes at Nagomi
While the yakiniku platters remain Nagomi's signature experience, they're far from the only reason guests return.
The restaurant's Seoul fried chicken with honey garlic has earned a loyal following, combining crisp Korean-style fried chicken with a sweet and savoury glaze that's become one of the menu's most ordered dishes.
Another customer favourite is the beef bulgogi bibimbap, bringing together marinated beef, fresh namul vegetables, steamed rice, a fried egg and Nagomi's house-made spicy sauce for a comforting Korean classic that's packed with flavour.
Guests looking to share often begin with Korean barbecue beef mandu dumplings, while the kimchi pajeon – a crisp Korean pancake served with a soy and sesame dipping sauce – has become another regular choice for the table.
Completing the list is Nagomi's vegetable yakisoba, a simple but satisfying Japanese noodle dish that continues to prove popular alongside the restaurant's more interactive dining experiences.
Away from the evening barbecue experience, Nagomi has also earned a reputation for its well-priced set lunch menu, giving diners a quick and accessible introduction to authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine – and offering guests plenty of opportunities to discover new flavours alongside familiar favourites.
Why Nagomi wants more Gloucestershire diners to discover Japanese barbecue
For Portia and Paul, introducing diners to yakiniku has always been about more than serving great food.
From the day they opened Nagomi, they wanted to create a restaurant where people could experience another side of Japanese and Korean food culture – one centred around sharing, conversation and cooking together.
Paul said: 'We're proud that yakiniku has become what people associate with Nagomi. It's still a new experience for lots of guests, which makes it especially rewarding when they come back with someone else to introduce them to it. That's how we've seen it grow – through people enjoying it enough to recommend it.'
While sushi remains one of Japan's best-known exports, Portia and Paul hope more Gloucestershire food lovers will discover that Japanese barbecue deserves a place on the table too.
And judging by the popularity of Nagomi's yakiniku platters, plenty already have.
For more information, and to book a table at Nagomi, visit nagomi.uk.
