Joining the original outlet in Town In Town, Nami moves closer to the inner city with its second branch, where you can still enjoy an affordable protein parade. This two-story eatery is the opposite of your typical smoky, greasy grill houses. The dining area houses wooden booths and black marble tables, equipped with smokeless tabletop grills. A lofty ceiling and huge glass windows provide a spacious feel, while the attentive servers spruce up the otherwise modern-yet-bleak restaurant with a dose of intimacy. They keep popping up to change your griddle and refill your drinks, while suggesting which beef cuts might best suit your liking. And silly as it may be, Nami’s snappily dressed diners are all equipped with a bib to protect them from spills and splatters. The menu offers a variety of beef cuts along with some pork, chicken and seafood choices. If costly items like imported Matsusaka beef and Kobe beef are beyond your means, you can still have it good with local meat. For beef, the nicely-marbled tokugu karubi (beef short ribs) are tender and toothsome, as is the paleron (shoulder), which arrives with just the right balance of fat and meat. At lunch, there are set menus on offer, including three cuts of beef, rice and miso soup. Need some greens to go with your meat feast? Try a Nami salad, a big-portioned combo of crisp mixed veggies, crabsticks and stimulating wasabi-infused dressing. There is also a good range of rice and noodles dishes. The subtly pungent kimuchi chahan, a.k.a. kimchi fried rice, is big enough to split between two. Desserts are surprisingly good, especially the refreshing green tea tofu (almost like pudding), served simmered in soymilk and topped with red bean paste. A good bet for those looking for carnivorous action that won’t break the bank, and thanks to the ventilation system, you won’t leave smelling like your food. Free corkage.
