Monster Sushi NUGA Castellana: A New Urban Japanese Playground in Madrid’s Most Polished District
Madrid’s northern axis has quietly been reshaping itself into something more architectural, more curated, more international. And inside that transformation — at Paseo de la Castellana 200 — NUGA Castellana has emerged as a new lifestyle nucleus, a mixed-use enclave designed to “live, work and enjoy” within one singular urban block.
At its heart, under a dramatic skylight that floods a pedestrian courtyard with natural light, Monster Sushi has opened its second Madrid address — and it feels exactly where it belongs.
This is not an accidental expansion. After consolidating its presence with its Zurbano location, the brand — part of The Umai Group — is strategically positioning itself to connect with a new northern Madrid clientele while maintaining the Japanese precision and contemporary personality that made it one of Spain’s most recognisable modern sushi brands.
And on the plate, that ambition translates clearly.
The Setting: Controlled Energy Beneath Glass
The arrival experience matters here. Marble tables, textured ceramics in muted greens and soft ivory, dark stone surfaces contrasted by bold red typography on the menu. The aesthetic leans cosmopolitan, slightly rebellious, yet considered.
The restaurant occupies a central position within NUGA’s Callejón, benefitting from the large glass canopy and an outdoor terrace that softens the space with openness and light.
It feels urban, but not hurried.
Opening Notes: Ritual Done Properly
A small porcelain teapot of soy sauce sets the tone — a subtle reminder that even in a lively environment, respect for detail remains.
Edamame arrives glossy and perfectly salted — warm, vegetal, clean. A modest opener that primes the palate without overwhelming it.
Monster Sushi has always described itself as “rebellious, vibrant and cosmopolitan,” but what stands out is that it never abandons technique for theatrics.
Where Technique Meets Modernity
Nigiris
Lightly torched nigiri arrive with delicate caramelisation on the surface and a dark accent layered on top. The fish is warm on the outside, cool and supple beneath — a temperature contrast that reveals control.
The rice holds structure, seasoned but restrained.This is sushi executed with confidence.
Makis
A cleanly cut roll, dusted in black and white sesame, reveals balanced proportions of salmon and rice. No overfilling, no excess sauce. Just clarity.
It speaks to what Monster Sushi aims for: authenticity sharpened by modern interpretation.
The Signatures: Fusion Without Apology
The restaurant describes the menu as a “homage to fusion without complexes,” merging Japanese tradition with street-food boldness and urban sophistication.
You see that philosophy unfold plate by plate.
Tuna Tataki
Uniform slices edged in sesame, resting in a soy-based marinade that leans savoury rather than sweet. The sear is precise; the interior remains luminous pink. It’s disciplined and deeply satisfying.
This is one of the menu’s anchor classics — and rightly so.
Yakisoba — Tokyo Alley Energy
Then comes warmth and comfort. A bowl of yakisoba tangled with cabbage, carrots, zucchini and glossy noodles, finished with sesame and fresh chives. The sauce walks that essential line between umami depth and indulgent street flavour.
It embodies the brand’s duality: precise foundation, playful spirit.
A Soft Landing
Dessert — a light slice crowned with torched meringue — arrives airy and restrained. Not dramatic, but comforting. A gentle close after layered textures and umami highs.
A Restaurant That Understands Modern Dining
Monster Sushi succeeds because it understands contemporary diners don’t seek purity — they seek narrative.
You come here for sushi, but you stay for atmosphere. And then you order something unexpected.
Even the delivery service exists not as an afterthought but as an extension of the brand experience — attempting to maintain quality beyond the dining room.
