Ippudo Ramen: World-Class Ramen House

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It's been a long time since I have not updated this website and Pinay Food Junkie facebook page because of  being busy to many things. Now, here's my ramen review for Ippudo Ramen Philippines at SM Megamall. The world-class ramen house in Fukuoka is now in the Philippines!

Ippudo ramen is an internationally recognized ramen house founded by Shigemi Kawahara, an internationally reknowned ramen king, in Hakata (ramen capital in Japan). As the ramen store became more popular, it has built many branches in Japan and other countries such as New York, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Sydney.

I came alone from an event and then I was hungry at that time and craving for Kichitora of Tokyo. I went down through an escalator and then, I saw a newly opened ramen house. At first, I hesitated to enter this japanese ramen restaurant because I thought the prices will range from 500 and up, but when I saw the menu, the ippudo ramen prices they offer ranges from Php 300-500.

Many people were eating inside and I sat near the ramen counter where cooks are creating their dishes. The wood-like ambiance is somewhat nice and the color designs are more into red and black. Since my place is on the leftmost corner of the counter, I have not thought that there's a power outlet there. Unfortunately, I did not bring my charger. ^^ Fortunately, I can put my bag on the basket under my seat and place this basket under the counter.

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Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth and the descriptions from their official Philippine website:

Shiromaru Motoaji - Classic Hakata-style ramen served with ultra-thin noodles, chashu (pork loin), bean sprouts, kikurage (mushrooms) and spring onions.

Akamaru Shinaji  - A refined, modern style ramen served with thin noodles, pork belly, kikurage (mushrooms), spring onions, special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil.

Karaka-men - served with wavy-thin noodles, pork belly, kikurage (mushrooms), special spicy miso with ground pork, fragrant garlic oil and spring onions. 

The staff was very polite and she also introduce to me the condiments. I waited 15-25 minutes for the food.

Pepper, sesame seeds, garlic and there's one missing but I am not fond of oil anyway. (Click on image for bigger size)

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I ordered the Shiromaru Motoaji because I am not fond of garlic and spicy treats. I just played games on my iPad while waiting. 

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Honestly, I just find the shape of the bowl weird.

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I made my first entry about Hokkaido Ramen Santouka vs. Kichitora of Tokyo and I love these noodle soups but now, Ippudo Ramen is on my top list even I already ate at Wrong ramen and Ramen Nagi. 

Despite of having many thin sliced chashu and a large seaweed, I can taste all the ingredients combined. Later, I decided to sprinkle sesame seeds and pepper to my soup. Even after finishing a bowl, I can still feel the taste left on my tongue. 

The waitress asked me to fill up a feedback form and here's my opinion.

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Now, this ramen is my top favorite! I'll just give a no perfect 5 star rating because I just find the place crowded, not too clean and busy. Anyway, the staff is very polite and the ramen tastes really good making me to crave and come back for more.

Here's my overall rating:

Ippudo Philippines
3rd Level Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall
Tel no.: 470-1837

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Nodasho: Best authentic Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo

You read the title right. Nodasho 野田庄 or のだ庄 in Little Tokyo, Makati is the best japanese restaurant out there. We ate before at Izakaya Kikufuji this year and food there was delicious especially the ebi tempura but when I taste Nodasho's ebi tempura, I thought that the latter's better.

Little Tokyo is a place where you can find authentic japanese restaurants built by the Japanese community/expats (besides Japantown in Davao). I made this Nodasho review for you to be aware what's inside this restaurant and it's up to you what restaurant you'll choose in Little Tokyo.

It is located in Pasong Tamo, Makati. You'll see the Little Tokyo sign beside Seryna, a big japanese restaurant.

I assume that you did a Google search image before on Little Tokyo but I'll show you a pic on how Little Tokyo's front looks like when you are looking for it.

A tour inside Little Tokyo:

We are now here at Nodasho:

I can't read all of this

Nodasho's crew were busy serving customers during this daylight. There were reading materials including japanese comic books for customers to enjoy while waiting. Sake (japanese rice wine) were also served there.

Even the interiors were old, I can still feel that we were in Japan because of the petite clean rooms for eating. Diners will sit on the floor with zabuton (japanese cushion for sitting).

Under the table, there's a deep part where you can place your legs and feet so you don't have to cross your legs while sitting. Sliding doors in each small room are a plus so diners can get a privacy.

Since there's privacy, we enjoyed looking at the price list/menu, taking our family pictures, chatting our would-be vacation, etc. Green Tea was served first.

After minutes of waiting, California Maki is here to be ravished.

Nodasho's price of this California Maki is 200. The quality of maki is superb. Better than the ones in BGC (I am also referring to Keizo). The rice wasn't easily crushed or dispersed and wasn't hard either. Upon eating, I can feel the softness of the rice and the deliciousness of the crab eggs on the top. Mayonnaise was so yummy.

Nodasho uses US beef on Beef Shichirin. It costs 700.

One of the most well-known japanese foods, the Chicken teriyaki for P300.

And the most in demand, Ebi tempura for Php 420

The coating sticks to the shrimp and vegetables. This dish wasn't only delicious and easy to bite but wasn't also oily.

You can enjoy these foods served above by ordering a cup of japanese rice for a price of 60 pesos. Very expensive neee... Japanese rice here is tasty but if you are eating in groups, just bring a packed rice.

The last serving is Shoyu ramen.

This ramen looks dull and boring at first than those served in ramen houses. Even though it didn't taste like soy sauce since it's shoyu (japanese soy sauce),  Try it! You'll love it for sure. Price for this is 280. The serving is in medium size for 3 people.

There's a bell (the one used by mamang sorbetero, pinoy term for ice cream peddler) that you can use to call the staff. Overall, the service was okay.

We were very satisfied with Nodasho. Not only the food was great but also the ambiance of Little Tokyo where you can feel that you are in Tokyo, Japan, a mini different world within Metro Manila.

Rating: 

Nodasho
Unit 14 Little Tokyo, 2277 Chino Roces Avenue 1200, Makati City
(02) 840 2741

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Hanamaruken : New ramen in Trinoma

Hanamaruken 花丸軒 is now in the Philippines!

I was shopping for gifts three days ago in Trinoma. After I've done shopping, I was planning to eat at SM North. Upon, reaching for the exit, I passed by the ads standing on the middle of the hallway, I saw a ramen ad and I thought Santouka ramen will be the first quality ramen (except Ramen X) to open in Trinoma but when I looked again at the ad, it's not Santouka. I began craving for a new ramen. I went to the 2nd level, Trinoma Garden restaurants to search for this new ramen restaurant.

 I am glad that it's easy to find this ramen restaurant. It looks nice. I did not hesitate to enter the restaurant.

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While waiting, I asked the staff if when did Hanamaruken opened in Trinoma. She said it was about 3 months ago. I thought that Hanamaruken has other branches in the Philippines because it is rare that shops in Trinoma will be the first branch. I was wrong. Hanamaruken in Trinoma is the first branch of Hanamaruken outside Japan.

Even this restaurant is not that big, the decorations and interiors are simply stunning. Japanese ancient music is being played in Hanamaruken restaurant.

"Hanamaruken has over 40 branches in Japan. Osaka locals religiously line up for everyday."

Here's Hanamaruken's menu / price list:

I ordered Signature Happiness Ramen for P480 and Gyoza for P150. I felt overwhelmed that I found a nice ramen place again. While waiting for my ramen, the gyoza was served and I ate this dish immediately.

For me, the gyoza has a really good quality wrapper and meat for its price unlike others including the ones in Taisho Ramen where gyozas tend to stick with each other and the taste is somewhat salty. Hanamaruken's gyoza is a bit oily. Never mind the little bit of oiliness, important is, it's delicious and its meat and vegetables were fully stuffed inside.

Chili and soy sauce

I ate all including the green vegetable decor.I felt somewhat full after eating. Then, here comes the Signature Happiness ramen.

Cholesterol warning: Hanamaruken's Signature Happiness ramen has some lard floating

As you can see, the ramen has some lard floating but not to the point that it is disgusting to eat. The ramen actually contains 2 thin spiral condiments (naruto). On the picture below, 1/4 of this cooked spare rib is still in deep soup. :)

The noodles is not too thick. The pork can be taste on its noodles. It's like the noodles sipped the pork meat and soup. Even with some lard, the soup still tastes like pork spare rib. The two eggs were half boiled but still solid and no yolk spilled on the soup. I felt like slurping this whole bowl of ramen just like what I've did in Kichitora of Tokyo's Paitan Zenbu no Se.

Before I end this Hanamaruken review, I want to share that the two eggs (tamago) were really an additional and is usually not included in the ramen unless you requested these. Upon billing, I just remembered again that the two eggs are just additional. What I don't like is that the staff did not ask me first if I wanted eggs or not. To be honest, I also did not remember if I requested it. I just confirmed the orders before serving that's why I did not complain about it. They also did not bid goodbye or thanks to the customers exiting the restaurant.

For me, I cannot decide now which is delicious but I still choose Kichitora of Tokyo's Paitan Zenbu no Se because it has less oil and no lard's floating on that ramen. I'll definitely come back in Hanamaruken even though it's pricey because it is still nearer to my house compared to Kichitora of Tokyo. I hope Ramen Santouka will open asap in Trinoma. This is the end of my Hanamaruken restaurant review.

Rating:  
(Staff is polite but still needs additional training)

Hanamaruken Philippines
2nd Floor Garden Trinoma Mall 
(02) 720 9283 / (02) 628 1603
11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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