Let’s be honest here: I don’t eat ramen. I don’t get the whole ramen bandwagon in Manila, but as a friend of Chiyo Tagami and Penny Ong, I am excited that Ippudo—which they claim is the best ramen ever—is opening at SM Fashion Hall this September.
Founded 1985 in Fukuoka by Japan’s “ramen king”, Shigemi Kawahara, Ippudo has a number of restaurants in Japan, as well as New York, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.
The original Ippudo in Fukuoka (Photo: Daniel Wood)
Its menu includes Kawahara’s reinvention of the Hakata-style tonkotsu (not a typo) broth, which is a pork-based ramen with its signature delicate and creamy flavor. Called Shiromaru Motoaji, it has ultra-thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, kikurage and spring onions.
Another off-take to this classic is the Akamaru Shinaji which has a specially blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil mixed into the dish.
For those who love spicy, the Karaka-men—a spin on the crowd-favorite Tantanmen—is a combination of flaming miso, cashew nut and ground pork toppings.
All ramen bowls are served with the basic elements, plus the option of adding tamago (soft-boiled egg), chashu (pork belly), and/or nori (seaweed).
Other offerings include Hakata-style gyoza, karaage, and Ippudo New York’s bestselling pork and chicken buns.
To complement the Filipino palate, Ippudo will also have rice dishes such as the garlic teppan chashu rice and the Hakata meshi.
Ippudo is brought to Manila by the Standard Hospitality Group under the leadership of Mr. John Concepcion, CEO of Unilever RFM ice cream company.
Concepcion is responsible for the huge katsu trend in Manila, when he first opened Yabu in 2011.
If you love ramen, don’t miss the opening of Ippudo at the 3rd level, SM Fashion Hall this September.
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