Open top menu
Showing posts with label ramen craze in manila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ramen craze in manila. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2015
BUTAMARU in Alabang: Porking up your Ramen!

The Ramen Craze definitely has invaded the metro and it is here to stay. For the past year or so, Ramen stores have opened left and right in the metro. Down South, one ramen place stands out. That is BUTAMARU. 

Yes, I found myself down south again. Although I am quite familiar with the area due to previous engagements, I didn't know that there is a ramen place here worthy of a visit. BUTAMARU is that place.
What does BUTAMARU stands for? BUTA is pork while MARU is round or circle.

A little background on BUTAMARU:
They make their tonkotsu broth for 16 hours. Yes that long. For inspiration, the ramen was based on variations of Hakata-syle. They learned the art of ramen making from Sugimura-san of Menko noodle company. A master artisan in the field of ramen.  

Once you enter, you are greeted by the staff. The ground floor has the kitchen and a long bar while the upstairs houses the booths and tables for big parties.

On a foodie Saturday, along with friends, we were able to try out their offerings.
We started off we gyozas. They served 3 kinds.

From CHEESE GYOZA...
 Rich cheese flavor which happens to be my favorite of the bunch.

To the usual GYOZA (130Php) and CURRY GYOZA (150Php)
 The normal gyoza was filled with the perfect pork while the curry flavor was different and very distinct. The use of Aburi Chasyu and a special type of curry paste made it so.

 Don't forget their specialty. THE CHASHU (150Php), I suggest you get this for maximum goodness.
This slices of glorious meat made the meal incredible. Imagine a caramelized flavor attached to this tender slice of meat. Incredibly good and delicious.

In case you didn't want ramen, you should try their TAKANA CHAHAN (200Php)
 Japanese Syled Fried Rice that is a meal into itself.

and of course if you just wanted plain rice, that could be arranged.

With CHASHU DON (280Php).
 You get the perfect BUTAMARU ROAST PORK over steamed Japanese rice and soft boiled eggs. I will definitely go back for this. I know it is a Ramen Place but still, it serves the perfect pork that is the best to partner with rice.

Another dish that I would go back for is the RAMEN SALAD (280Php)
Beautiful with all the colors, this is a noodle dish with fresh vegetables tossed in Black sesame. The noodles were firm and incredibly good. This is a cold noodle dish that I definitely love.

Going for the big boys, here are the ramen.

TANTANMEN (350Php) is basically spicy peanut and sesame. You could go for spicy or mild.
Be warned though, mild already has a bit of spicy while spicy is really super spicy. If you can take the heat, I dare you, go for it.

 To make it more interesting, you could have it with curry. CURRY TANTANMEN (350Php)


If spicy ramen doesn't appeal to you, I would suggest you get a dose of SHIO (300 Php).
Salt based Tonkotsu. It gives you a broth so rich but just right for your ramen cravings.

Since I just had spicy stuff, I went for the SHOYU (320Php). It is soy sauce based Tonkotsu.
It was a little salty, I will admit but the noodles were cooked perfectly and complimented the broth well. I loved it.

Special mention would have to be the eggs. Yes, I did have an extra order. No ramen is perfect without eggs. If I were you order an extra. It is so worth it. It wasn't over cooked so it was great with the ramen.


BUTAMARU seats in a quiet side of town. Down south with some incredible restaurants in a small compound, it stands out. As I said, I wouldn't mind going back and braving the traffic to have another go with BUTAMARU. The prices are reasonable compared to other Ramen places and yes, their CHASHU is the bomb! Budget around 400 Php per person. It is so worth it.




BUTAMARU
CE405 Westgate Center,
Commerce Avenue cor. Filinvest Avenue ,
Alabang, 1781 Muntinlupa City
(632)8874255
http://www.butamaruramen.com/
Facebook

Note: They allow take outs although, since this is ramen, it would be better to eat it in house.
Disclaimer: Was invited to try out Butamaru. Wrote this based on my experience and views.
Read more
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
KICHITORA of TOKYO: ONE of my Favorite Ramen Places in the Metro


Noodles and soup. What could possible go wrong?

I was really happy that I was going to have a go with KICHITORA OF TOKYO. They have been one of the early front runners of RAMEN in the metro. One of those that stands out and has been there from the get go. Definitely one of my favorites ever since the MANILA RAMEN CRAZE started.  

Fast forward a couple of years and here they are, growing and even getting better.
 Unlucky me, I was late for that opening lunch. YES !!! I was late! There was an accident along Commonwealth Avenue so hello traffic. I asked my driver to drive like crazy and when I arrived, I apologized profusely. ARGH! Anyway....

You see, KICHITORA of TOKYO has opened a new one in High Street Central Square. Same level as the Cinemas. Pretty modern and minimalist setup. I liked it.

After catching my breath, (yikes, last to arrive ...)

We were served with their salad dish. The BAN BAN JI (295Php).
The chicken was tender and soft. Alongside with the crispy wanton wrappers and sesame dressing, I enjoyed this. Yes it has veggies but still, I liked it.

GYOZA (150Php) was up next. The perfect combination for any ramen that you would order.
The skin was crunchy and the insides were flavorful. This is how gyozas must be. 

If only we had rice. That was what I was thinking when the CHICKEN KARAAGE (150/250Php) arrived.
Perfectly fried, this boneless appetizer is a great rice partner. Believe me! I wanted rice with this! DAMN!

and then the noodle dishes came. I went blank.

JAJAMEN (360Php) is cold noodles that is somewhat on the sweet side.
Different as it doesn't have any broth. Topped with minced pork it is given that KICHITORA touch.

For heat lovers, the TAN TAN MIEN might be for you (395Php).
You could even have the spicy level adjusted just for you. When I took a sip, the heat lined up my throat. Dang, just like drinking tequila! Whew! Flavorful and hot. Made with sesame broth and lined up with spicy oil and fried garlic oil.

The HOKKAIDO MISO RAMEN (395Php) is for those wanting a miso flavor. Alongside chicken or pork chashu, you get the bamboo shoots and fried garlic oil for flavor. 

Their epic ramen of all would be the PAITAN RAMEN ZENBU NO SE (420Php).
Just one sip, one slurp and you will know what makes it special. The chicken based broth is filling. The flavor is incredible and the ingredients works well with one another. Don't get me started on that almost perfect cooked egg. Sarap!

I for one, went for my personal favorite. A Tsukemen. I got the PAITAN TSUKEMEN (380Php). Just like my previous experience (click here) with TSUKEMEN, I was impressed. The noodles were a bit thicker compared to the normal ramen noodles but I liked having to dip it in a separate dish.
Call me weird but I like doing it.
The broth was thick but not too much so that you would get full right away.
The noodles were perfect for that slurping action you would definitely do with every bite.

Full as anyone could be, we were given dessert. 
The Almond Jelly (L 150Php) and the Coconut Pudding with Matcha and Azuki (R 150Php).

I liked the almond jelly better as it had the familiar taste. Maybe it was because of the azuki or beans that I preferred the former than the latter.



KICHITORA of TOKYO is an amazing but underrated ramen place. Their broth is chicken based and perfect with every slurp. The noodles are cooked to perfection. You could definitely feel and taste the freshness of the noodles with every bite. Great to visit after that movie date to warm you up. 
Service was incredible and attentive. Budget around 600Php per person.

You are also in for a treat as GROUPON has partnered with KICHITORA. You could have a meal worth 2000Php for just 999Php... Here is a link for you (click here) to check it out. 50% off baby!!!!



KICHITORA OF TOKYO
Near the Cinemas in BGC.
High Street Central Square, BGC
Taguig City, Metro Manila
 http://kichitora.com/
Facebook

Disclaimer: was invited to this event. Thank you very much Kevin of Groupon and Larson Chan of Kichitora. I wrote this based on my opinion and experience.
Read more
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Ramen Craze at Ikkoryu Fukuoka

After doing a bit of chores, my mom and I went to Shangrila for lunch.
As usual we got there pretty early. So, we opened the mall for them. LOL!!
Since we were aiming to eat at the new ramen place in the East Wing, we figured that on a weekday there wouldn't be any line.

 Here's what happened.

Read more