Contributed by Sandy Cagurangan
What started as a seafood supply business has now grown into a beloved Japanese cuisine restaurant in the Philippines. For Lany Aguiba, owner and founder of J.L.A. Ramen and Sushi Spot, the journey from delivering fresh seafood to curating sashimi for online sales during the pandemic, and now serving comforting bowls of ramen and sushi, has been fulfilling as she opens her newest branch in Timog, Quezon City.
Lany shared that her love for Japanese cuisine, especially ramen and tuna, has greatly influenced the concept of J.L.A. “Siguro dahil rin sa favorite ko ang ramen at saka ang tuna kasi yun yung main source dati na sinusupply namin. Talagang si tuna kasi, Japanese siya eh,” she said.
Her business initially started with selling sashimi, which later expanded into sushi, and eventually grew into a full Japanese menu. As demand for her delicious dishes increased, J.L.A. decided to bring in chefs who are knowledgeable in curating authentic Japanese recipes.
Beyond the delicious Japanese dishes, I was curious about the story behind their restaurant name. Lany briefly shared, “J.L.A nag-ano siya sa Jayron, yung husband ko, Lhany, and yung aming surname na Aguiba,” which shows that this is a true family venture, from the name to its vision.
For her, the decision to open a branch in Timog, Quezon City, was both strategic and close to her heart. “Kasi talagang naghahanap kami dito sa Quezon City at talagang perfect ‘to kasi si GMA 7 matagal ko na siyang customer, matagal ko nang client, and sabi ko ito yung the best talagang spot kasi nasa likod lang namin si GMA. Maraming nag-iinquire galing sa kanila, kaya sobrang tuwang-tuwa ako na dito ako napunta sa Timog,” Lany said, expressing her excitement about the new branch location, which brings her closer to a long-time client.
In addition to expanding their branches, J.L.A. also offers catering services and frequently partners with GMA for various events such as contract signing events and press conferences. “Dun kami lagi nag-eevent sa kanila every time may mga signing, may mga bago, kami lagi yung nagsponsor, ganyan,” she added.
When asked about her personal favorite, Lany did not hesitate to say, “Ako talaga, yung ramen eh.” She continued, “Sobrang favorite talaga siya na talagang binabalik-balikan at sobrang authentic daw.”
About the Food:
During our visit, we decided to try different bento dishes, allowing us to experience the range of offerings that J.L.A. has. The food is affordably delicious, especially their sushi, which was my favorite. The sashimi served was definitely fresh. I am honestly not a fan of sashimi or raw dishes, but its quality and clean taste were highly appreciated.
As for the ramen, the serving size is definitely reasonable for its price, and its authentic flavor provides a rich taste experience. It delivers a level of authenticity that can easily stand alongside other established Japanese restaurants in the country.
With its inspiring story and consistently good dishes, J.L.A. Ramen and Sushi Spot continues to demonstrate its passion for serving authentic Japanese cuisine. Visit and try their delicious dishes at their branches in Sto. Tomas Batangas, Sta. Rosa, Timog, Tarlac, Honda Philippines in Tanawan, Muntinlupa, and Market Market in Taguig. If you’re interested in opening a business, they are also open for franchising. Simply contact their official Facebook page, J.L.A. Ramen and Sushi Spot.
