If you’re looking for a new restaurant to try in Cebu, make sure to add NOM Urban Kitchen to your list.
The newest dining concept under the Creative Cuisine Group, NOM Urban Kitchen has officially opened at Level 2, The Mall at NUSTAR Cebu, offering a thoughtfully curated menu of Western and Asian cuisine. Whether you’re planning a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a date night, this new restaurant combines comforting flavors with a warm and inviting atmosphere.
A Cozy Dining Space You’ll Want to Stay In
From the moment you step inside, NOM Urban Kitchen welcomes you with its warm wooden interiors, soft lighting, and modern yet cozy aesthetic. The restaurant strikes a balance between casual and elegant, making it a place where you can comfortably enjoy a quick lunch or spend hours catching up with friends over good food.
It’s also a great choice for date nights or family dinners, thanks to its relaxed ambiance and spacious dining area.
Another pleasant surprise is the pricing. Considering its location inside NUSTAR Cebu, I found the menu to be quite reasonable, making it an excellent option whether you’re dining for a special occasion or simply treating yourself to a good meal.
What I Tried at NOM Urban Kitchen
The menu features a variety of Western and Asian-inspired dishes, and after trying several of their bestsellers, these were the ones that stood out the most.
Crispy Enoki with Truffle Mayo
One of the biggest surprises of the meal was the Crispy Enoki with Truffle Mayo.
The enoki mushrooms were fried until perfectly crisp, giving every bite a light and satisfying crunch. But what truly elevated the dish was the truffle mayo. Rich, creamy, and packed with earthy truffle flavor, it complemented the crispy mushrooms beautifully without overpowering them.
What impressed me even more was how crispy the enoki remained even after it had cooled down. That’s not something you often get with fried appetizers, making this an easy recommendation to start your meal.
Seared Porkchop
If you’re craving something hearty, the Seared Porkchop is a great choice.
It had a beautifully caramelized exterior while remaining juicy and tender inside. Every bite was well-seasoned, flavorful, and satisfying without being overly heavy. It’s one of those comforting dishes that you’ll gladly order again because it simply delivers.
Marry Me Chicken
One dish that immediately caught my attention was the Marry Me Chicken.
Made with pan-seared chicken breast fillet served in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, this dish completely exceeded my expectations. The chicken was incredibly tender and cooked so well that it almost felt like I was eating a perfectly cooked steak—but made with chicken instead.
The creamy sauce added richness while the sun-dried tomatoes gave it a subtle tanginess that balanced everything beautifully. Every bite was comforting, flavorful, and satisfying.
If you’re only ordering one main course, this would easily be my top recommendation.
Buttermilk Chicken with Gravy
As someone who’s been searching for a restaurant in Cebu that serves really good salted egg chicken, I’m happy to say the search is finally over.
The Buttermilk Chicken with Gravy features crispy fried chicken coated in a rich and savory salted egg sauce that’s both creamy and incredibly flavorful. The crispy exterior held up well against the sauce, giving each bite the perfect balance of crunch and richness.
If you’re a fan of salted egg dishes like I am, this is definitely something you shouldn’t miss.
Pinya Matcha
To pair with all the savory dishes, I tried the Pinya Matcha, and it quickly became one of my favorite drinks from the meal.
This pineapple matcha smoothie offers the best of both worlds—you can clearly taste the earthy flavor of premium matcha, while the pineapple adds a refreshing sweetness with a bright citrusy finish. The fruit doesn’t overpower the matcha; instead, the two flavors blend together surprisingly well.
It’s refreshing, smooth, and not overly sweet, making it the perfect drink to enjoy alongside the rich and flavorful dishes on the menu.
Even if you’re not usually a matcha drinker, I think this one’s worth trying.
NOM Urban Kitchen brings together everything I enjoy in a dining experience: a cozy ambiance, quality food, generous portions, and prices that are surprisingly reasonable for a restaurant located inside NUSTAR.
Their menu offers something for everyone, whether you’re craving comforting Western favorites, Asian-inspired dishes, or refreshing beverages. Every dish I tried was thoughtfully prepared, and you can tell that attention was given not just to presentation but also to flavor.
It’s the kind of restaurant where you can celebrate special occasions, enjoy casual lunches, have dinner with the family, or simply meet up with friends over good food.
Final Thoughts
NOM Urban Kitchen is a welcome addition to Cebu’s growing food scene, and it’s definitely a restaurant I’ll be coming back to.
From the crispy and addictive Crispy Enoki with Truffle Mayo, the comforting Marry Me Chicken, and the flavorful Buttermilk Chicken with Gravy, to the hearty Seared Porkchop and the refreshing Pinya Matcha, every dish offered something memorable. Combined with its warm wooden interiors and inviting atmosphere, it’s a place that makes you want to linger a little longer after your meal.
So if you’re planning your next food trip or simply looking for a new place to dine, make your way to NOM Urban Kitchen at The Mall | NUSTAR Cebu. Whether you’re visiting with family, catching up with friends, or going on a date, you’ll find delicious food, a cozy atmosphere, and a dining experience that’s well worth coming back for.
Chibugan Kini 