Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen

There has been a proliferation of Japanese chains in Manila in recent months. First was the opening of Mitsuyado Sei-men, a Tokyo-based tsukemen restaurant. Another one is Ikkoryu, a Fukuoka-based ramen chain, which opened its first restaurant at Shangrila Mall's East Wing, and its second shop at SM Aura.

Japanese ramen restaurants like Ippudo have opened restaurants in New York , Hong Kong, and Singapore, and it seems that eating Japanese ramen has become quite popular and trendsetting in these cities. Long lines of young people queue just to have a bowl of authentic Japanese ramen. It is very much different from its home country, where ramen is more or less seen as regular food, if not, a way to fill-up oneself after a hard day at work.

The same can be said with Manila's response to Ikkoryu, with lines of people queueing for ramen, at any time during the restaurant's operating hours. The restaurant does not actually accept reservations. The interior's wooden grills and the clean lines of the tables and chairs are relaxing. The staff's giddy Japanese welcome greetings bellow throughout the shop, making the atmosphere quite authentic.

There is a lot of ramen to choose from, most of which are priced at 380Php. Black Garlic Oil and Special Vegetable Paste Ramen were the most sought-after. Fukuoka is the home of tonkotsu ramen, where tonkotsu（豚骨） refers to pork bone broth. The fennel bulbs tried the special vegetable paste which was incorporated into the tonkotsu base. Pork bones yield a rich tasting broth, and evokes very cozy feelings. There's a wholeness of taste which is not achieved by other bases like soy sauce and miso, which are markedly more on the salty side and have a linear flavor. The addition of the special vegetable paste compliments the meaty flavor of the tonkotsu base.

The noodles are hand-pulled, and one can choose as to whether it is moderate or firm. We think firm noodles are the most appropriate, since the noodles being submerged in the broth would in any way cause it to become soggy after some time.

On another occasion, a non-ramen dish was ordered. This time it was yaki tonkotsu, stir-fried ramen noodles with a puddle of tonkotsu soup with chashu and vegetables, very much like a choosey over noodles. The vegetables were fresh and of good quality, and the rather mundane choosey assumed a different form with the noodles and the hearty broth.

The gyoza (150Php, 6 pieces), which is smaller than usual (which is the way they do it in Hakata), is good, if not the best in town.

The only reservation the fennel bulbs have is regarding the servings: it is simply not enough. The soup may be of the right amount though, but more noodles and chashu would probably make the voracious diner happier.

Tokyo for Happy Palates (part 1)

Tokyo and its consolidated metropolitan area is home to almost 30 million people. It is the world's largest city in terms of population, and also is the world's richest. This city is just remarkable, beating with an energy and drive so palpable and restless. And the fennel bulbs definitely love this beautiful and dynamic city. 


With its position as one of the planet's most global of cities, the dining scene in Tokyo is one that a lot of other cities also look up to. The best of Japanese cuisine can be had in Tokyo, and some of Europe's best chefs have opened up restaurants in the city whipping up the best of international cuisine. 

The best of Japanese ramen in Tokyo is served in Ippudo. This restaurant chain has dozens of stores in Tokyo, and has achieved much renown for the savory broth and its noodles which are hand-pulled inside the restaurant's kitchens (separated by glass, one can just watch how the best ramen is spurned). Ippudo already has branches in New York and Singapore. 

The picture above is a bowl of luscious Akamaru Ramen (赤丸ラーメン). It literally means "red bowl ramen" and is tastier and the broth is denser than its white bowl counterpart. A rich mixture of possibly boiled pork and duck bones and miso characterize the soup. Light soy is added as a contrast to the light colour of the miso, and a rich paste of sesame adds a dimension of nuttiness to the dish. 

Accompanying the ramen are 10 pieces of Hakata-style dumplings, also known as gyoza. These gyozas are a bit smaller than the usual ones you'd find in normal Japanese restaurants, but the filling is just bursting with flavour. Together with the ramen, an unforgettable meal at Ippudo that would most likely fill the belly costs around Y1100, and not pricey at all. 

A popular Japanese food that has enamored people around the world and has become almost synonymously associated with Japanese cuisine is tempura. Affordable tempura with high quality ingredients can be had at Tenya (てにゃ). This restaurant chain has a lot of stores within the Tokyo Metropolitan area. 

On the picture above is a tempura rice bowl with the addition of lotus and moriatake mushrooms. One set comprises the bowl with a smaller bowl of miso soup. At Y680, it is reasonable enough. And the freshness of the ingredients just reveals itself within the deep-fried layers of batter which are crisp and delicious. 

(to be continued...)