When Ipuddo first arrived the country, I remembered wishing I live close by Ortigas area! SM Megamall is where the must-try restaurants are! So every time I've done a workshop or events at SM Megamall, I can't help but stare longingly at the line outside of Ippudo and wished someday, I will be able to give this Ramen place a try.
Fast forward to several months later...naku, a second branch was finally open and my prayers were answered! It was right by my neighborhood! Robinsons Place Ermita!
That fateful weekend when the line isn't so bad!
Pork Bun
Php100.00
Steamed bun with juicy braised pork belly and Ippudo's Signature sauce.
You know I'm raised in a traditional Chinese household where I get to eat steamed bun and eat braised pork belly on special occasions! This will be an ultimate "WOW" thing to try if I haven't tried this in my entire life but since I've had a couple of these and Keith's uncle can make the really wonderful braised pork belly, I am proud to say, this comes second! Uncle's steamed bun with braised pork belly is still the best! (Not being biased here!)
Deep Fried Gyoza
Php210.00
A crunchy twist to the classic, deep fried Gyoza topped with spicy mayo,
negi and chili powder on a bed of shredded cabbage.
Served with Ippudo's ponzu sauce.
I like Gyoza in its' simplest form! But since the original Gyoza wasn't available that night (I don't know why) so we opted for this. Not bad but not a favorite.
Nanban Karaage
Php250.00
Classic Karaage with sweet sauce and Ippudo's tartar sauce,
served with mixed green salad on the side.
Seriously
speaking, I wasn't expecting anything special since Ippudo is known for
its' ramen. Would you believe me when I say, the best Chicken Karaage
I've tried to date? I wish they come with bigger serving because I will
definitely go back to the restaurant just for this!
And yes, you've read it right, I will go back to Ippudo just for the Chicken Karaage because surprisingly, the Ramen I've tasted, Ippudo style, is good but not my favorite! I haven't tried a lot of Ramen restaurants in the Metro but this definitely does not come first! Don't hate me Ippudo Ramen lovers, it's just my personal preference and I'll explain why.
Shiromaru Motoaji Special
Php480.00
Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth served with ultra-thin noodles,
pork loin, bean sprouts, kikurage and spring onions. Classic Hakata-style ramen.
Hard noodles were recommended to us so
we went for it! I love the noodles and I love the texture! As for the
broth, we find it a bit too rich. And Balot-lovers out there, can you
explain how similar the taste of "balot sauce" and this broth?
Seriously! We were amazed!
One
thing maybe that didn't wowed us aside from the broth is how the egg
wasn't the usual "Japanese-styled" egg that we want! We were happy we
were served with ONE Full egg but the egg yolk looks like regular egg in
the household! I was expecting for soft, squishy tamago like most of
those in Ramen places. And oh, the pork wasn't the "melts in your mouth" kind of pork, we find the slice a bit too thick for our liking.
Again, just our humble opinion.
Again, just our humble opinion.
Akamaru Shinaji Special
Php490.00
Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth enhanced
with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil.
Served with thin noodles, pork belly, kikurage and spring onions.
Refined, modern-style ramen.
I like the broth of this better! Must be the presence of garlic oil and miso paste! It is flavorful and rich as well so definitely not for the faint-hearted!
Same as above, the pork belly is not as tender as I would like it to be.
Overall, based on our orders, they were all okay (except the exceptional Karaage). I may go back to give the ramen another try in Megamall branch but so far, I'm just okay with it.
Ippudo Ramen
Ground Floor, Pedro Gil Wing,
Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
How was your experience? Any ramen suggestions out there?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Waah I want ramen. RIGHT NOW. That Karaage looks REALLY good though.
ReplyDeletesuper yummy the Karaage!
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