Ippudo Ramen: World-Class Ramen House

Click on image for bigger size

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.

Click on image for bigger size

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)

Click on image for bigger size

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

Click on image for bigger size

Click on image for bigger size

Click on image for bigger size

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

Click on image for bigger size

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.

Click on image for bigger size

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

Read More

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.

To enlarge photos, please click the pictures. 

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

Read More

About Pinay Food Junkie

Hi everyone!

I began blogging when social media wasn't yet the medium for expressing thoughts and sharing experiences.

Google Docstoc was my first medium in sharing personal files. Ever since 2011, I did not have news updates about this. 

Wanting to express and share what I like whether it is about celebrities, politics or shows, on 2010, Sari saring isip is my first blog. Overwhelmed that somehow a few people visited my blog, I continued to share my posts until thousands can read my shared articles.

Now, this year 2014. I created this site, Pinay Food Junkie, to exclude my honest food reviews from Sari saring isip.

I am also a contributor to boring.ph and astig.ph

I hope you can enjoy your food trip. 

To know more about me, you can visit my Google+ page or my professional website for online freelance work, http://jienruiz.wordpress.com

Thanks for visiting! (◕‿-)

Read More

Ramen Santouka vs Kichitora of Tokyo Shoyu Ramen

I ate at Kichitora of Tokyo last December or maybe I would say last year.

Because of the ramen craze. I eagerly tried different japanese restaurants and post reviews at my first official blog: sarisaringisip

Since I frequently post food reviews, I decided to build this new blog.

End of the commercial break.

I am craving again for ramen and this time, I tried to read reviews about Ramen Santouka and those convinced me to try the ramen there. After I finished my work and  before riding the MRT, I decided to eat at Santouka Ramen located at Glorietta 4.

Kichitora of Tokyo is located Greenbelt 5 but since it is already 9 pm when I arrived there, I decided to finally go to Santouka.

There are many people waiting inside. Since I have the determination when it comes to ramen and I am second in their line up, I stayed and waited patiently.

 As you can see, those ramens have regular, small and large sizes. Finally, I decided to order Shoyu ramen (Soy sauce ramen). While waiting for table and seat, the waitress handed me the order slip. I like how the staff is sincerely waiting and calling for customers whenever the tables become vacant.

When I had my table, I handed the order slip to the waitress. While waiting, I took pics of the restaurant's interior even the place is crowded.

On my last food review about Kichitora of Tokyo, I ordered the Shoyu ramen so I'll introduce you to the prices first.

(L) Santouka Ramen price vs (R) Kichitora of Tokyo ramen price

Kichitora's price is 320 pesos for a large bowl while Santouka's regular and large bowl are 330 and 390 pesos. Both have 10% service charge.

I ordered a regular bowl

 Their shoyu ramen is composed of bamboo shots, onion springs, seaweed, naruto (spiral condiment) chashu(s)/round pork meat.

Noddles are thick and chashu is also thick

Yum :P

Here's the comparison

On the left corner, Santouka Ramen shoyu ramen. On the right, Kichitora of Tokyo shoyu ramen

Kichitora's shoyu ramen has an additional pechay (chinese white cabbage). You will feel the literal taste of soy sauce on the dish that's why I added spices for balance.

Santouka's shoyu ramen has thicker noodles and thicker chashu. It disappoints me that there's no little bit of fat on the chashu but overall, I find this really delicious.

It's judgment time!

For staff and service, Santouka Ramen is better.

For this match, I declare Santouka Ramen as the winner.

But overall, Paitan Ramen Zenbu no Se is still my whole time favorite. I visited Kichitora of Tokyo twice already because of this.

Both are worth trying for!

Soon, I'll try to share my Taisho ramen or any other ramen under P300 experiences.

Kichitora of Tokyo
2F Mega Atrium, SM Megamall
2F Glorietta 5

Kichitora's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KichitoraPH

Ramen Santouka

Address: G/F, Glorietta 4, Hotel Dr, Makati

Phone:(02) 728 1381

Hours:

Sunday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm 

Read More