The ramen craze is far from over, especially during the monsoon season when everyone’s craving for a hot bowl of ramen goodness. To celebrate our love for this rainy-day comfort food, we’ve rounded up a list of ramen joints where you can slurp those cravings away.
1. IPPUDO
Prepare to be overwhelmed by a symphony of flavors as soon as you get a taste of Ippudo’s classic ramen bowls. Their best-sellers include Shiromaru Motoaji (tonkotsu ramen), Akamaru Shinaji (miso ramen), and Karaka-men (tantanmen). Aside from their world-class ramen, the Ippudo Pork Bun, a steamed bun with a filling of braised pork belly and Ippudo’s original sauce, is also crowd favorite.
Satisfy your ramen cravings at Ippudo, located at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia.
2. HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is perfect for those who do not have a big appetite. Why? Customers are given the option to order either a regular bowl or a large bowl. Try out the stars of their menu: the Shio Ramen (mild salt flavor) and the Kara-miso Ramen (soybean paste flavor). You can also throw in a few add-ons such as corn, komi-tamago (seasoned egg), or their melt-in-your-mouth charsiu (pork cheeks).
Visit Hokkaido Ramen Santouka at SM Mall of Asia, SM Clark and SM Pampanga .
3. RAMEN NAGI
If you’re the picky type, you’ll definitely enjoy the selections at Ramen Nagi. Once you are seated inside the restaurant, you will be given an Omotenashi sheet (Ramen Nagi’s order slip) where you can customize your ramen to your liking. You are free to choose the firmness of your noodles, the spiciness level, the richness of the broth, the toppings to be added, among others.
Grab a bowl of their specialty gourmet ramen: Butao King (signature tonkotsu pork broth), Black King (garlic and squid ink), Red King (garlic, chili oil and cayenne pepper), and Green King (basil, olive oil and cheese) at SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Pampanga, and SM Baguio .
4. RAI RAI KEN
Long before the ramen craze started in the early 2010s, Rai Rai Ken has been already serving bowls of ramen to their patrons. Their Seafood Hotpot Ramen, a bowl of mixed seafood in thick soup, is a big hit among their customers. They also serve udon, cold noodles, sashimi, and other Japanese favorites.
Rai Rai Ken has branches in SM Bicutan, SM Masinag, SM San Lazaro, SM Las Piñas, SM Fairview, SM Taytay, SM Pampanga, SM Clark, SM Tarlac, SM Rosales, SM Dasmariñas, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Lipa, SM Batangas, SM Naga, SM Iloilo, SM Bacolod, SM Cebu, and SM Consolacion.
5. IKKORYU FUKUOKA RAMEN
Enjoy a generous serving of authentic Japanese ramen at Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen. Their mouthwatering signature ramen: Ajitama Tonkotsu (special blended soy sauce base), Black Garlic Tonkotsu (tonkotsu soup with special roast garlic oil), and Tantan Tonktotsu (shoyo sauce wih sesame and chili oil) will surely keep you coming back for more.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is located at SM Southmall, SM Bacolod, and SM Iloilo .
6. KITCHITORA
Kitchitora is considered as one of Manila’s underrated ramen joints. They are best known for their selection of Paitan Ramen (white soup ramen) and Tsukumen (dipping noodles). Their perfectly-cooked karaage chicken is also a must-try.
You can find Kitchitora at SM Megamall .
7. RAMEN KURODA
If you’re on a budget but badly craving for authentic ramen, Ramen Kuroda is the place for you. Their ramen bowls do not go beyond Php 250. Try their Shiro Ramen (tonkotsu of basic taste), Kuro Ramen (tonkotsu with roast garlic flavor), or Aka Ramen (tonkotsu with spicy taste). They also offer set meals consisting of a bowl of ramen and a bento box.
Dine at Ramen Kuroda in these SM Supermalls: SM Marikina, SM Manila, and SM Fairview .
8. UMA UMA
Uma Uma is one of the newest international ramen chains to open its doors in Manila. They proudly boast about their 100% MSG-free ramen that is rich in Umami flavor. Among their crowd pleasers are the Uma Uma Ramen (Chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, spicy miso, and egg), Garlic Ramen (Chasiu, garlic oil, white onion, beansprouts, fried shallots, and egg), and Tonkotsu Ramen (chasiu bits, spring onions, sesame seeds, and egg). They also offer some yakitori favorites to pair up with your tasty ramen.
Eat your hearts out at Uma Uma, located at S Maison .
9. RAMEN DOJO
There’s a new kid on the block at the Queen City of the South. Cebuanos need not worry of finding an authentic ramen place because Ramen Dojo is there to fulfill your needs. You can choose from eight different flavors of ramen such as Beef, Spicy Sichuan, and Mixed Seafoods. They also offer Dojo Combos, allowing you to enjoy your ramen with gyoza, chahan or yakisoba.
Ramen Dojo is located at SM Cebu .
10. TOKYO TOKYO
If you’re looking for no-fuss ramen that’s very accessible, head over to the nearest Tokyo Tokyo store. You can choose among the following flavors for your quick ramen fix: Beef Pepper Ramen, Seafood Ramen, Sriracha Beef Ramen, Braised Pork Ramen, or Spicy Chicken Ramen.
Tokyo Tokyo has branches in SM Bacoor, SM Baguio, SM Baliwag, SM Batangas, SM Bicutan, SM Cebu, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Clark, SM Dasmariñas, SM Davao, SM Fairview, SM Lanang Premier, SM Lipa, SM Lucena, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Marikina, SM Marilao, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Pampanga, SM San Lazaro, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Southmall, SM Sucat, SM Tarlac, SM Taytay, SM Telabastagan, and SM Urdaneta.
1. IPPUDO
Prepare to be overwhelmed by a symphony of flavors as soon as you get a taste of Ippudo’s classic ramen bowls. Their best-sellers include Shiromaru Motoaji (tonkotsu ramen), Akamaru Shinaji (miso ramen), and Karaka-men (tantanmen). Aside from their world-class ramen, the Ippudo Pork Bun, a steamed bun with a filling of braised pork belly and Ippudo’s original sauce, is also crowd favorite.
Satisfy your ramen cravings at Ippudo, located at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia.
