Return to Ippudo or how to dodge the long line for ramen.

Went back to Ippudo after I felt that the first review didn't do the place justice, given that they were really, really hectic on day 1.

Was here on a weekday, and again I went queued about 2:30 pm. The line was shorter since it was downtime.  When the server checked and I said "for one" I was immediately seated by the bar. The place felt different the second time, no TV crews so far (but the ABS-CBN guys arrived at 3:00), the ambiance, somber, and it was toned down from the last time, yet the crews still howl Nihonggo gibberish here and there, which irritates me to death. Perfect time to enjoy a bowl of ramen.

Shiromaru Motoaji (P375)

Ippudo's menu has three types of ramen -  Shiromaru Motoaji (basic tonkatsu noodles), Akamaru Shinaji (miso paste, garlic oil) and Karaka Ramen(super hot). These ramen you can put add-ons like ajitama/ soft-boiled egg, extra seaweed, or the works. 

Akamaru Shin-aji or "Red Sea Ramen" Php 390

Ordered the Akamaru Shinaji- this one has Hakata-style thin noodles with garlic oil and miso paste. Served with spring onions, kikurage and a lice of pork belly. The ramen is very fragrant and looks very enticing. Akamaru when translated means "red sea", this is probably the red miso paste that gives this ramen a slightly spicy kick. Noodles are firm and al-dente. Order this if you love a more flavorful ramen with a twist. Add some crushed garlic and a bit of sesame seeds and you have a winner! My new go-to ramen. Yummy!

Ippudo Pork Bun (P 100)  This is a simple cuapao, using a slice of chasyu and Japanese mayo.
One order is not enough and it was slightly "bitin"

Gyoza The gyoza skin is thin and light, the pan-fried gyoza is not tasty and not swimming in oil. 5 small pieces is P 210.

Was able to talk Chef Lee Jose after my meal, yes, the place was excellent and the first day jitters were gone, and so was the super kulit server from last time. Had a great experience and will be back.

Not falling in line for ramen, of course. 

Ippudo Ramen
3rd Level, Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall
(beside Sports Central)
(02) 470-1837

They don't allow reservations.
No takeouts. And everyone must
fall in line :)

Is Ippudo worth the hype?

Ippudo, finally opened on September 10, 2013.
The global ramen chain, which started in Fukuoka city in 1985, has been garnering a lot of hype and clamor for its ramen and other dishes. Ippudo, translated directly, the name means "One Wind Hall", connoting they only have one electric fan for the whole restaurant, haha.

Located at the 3rd floor of Megafashion Hall of SM Megamall, it's beside Sports Central and the yet to be opened Tuan Tuan. Long lines of curious customers and Ippudo fanatics were there in full force til 3:00pm. The lines waned after 3:00 pm and I was able to get a place by the bar without waiting at all. 

Can't help but notice a Japanese team supervising and guiding the local team,
service was quick and there were servers going around to check if somebody got your order.
Space was a bit tight but not cramped, since there were a lot of diners and its hard to eat with television crews shooting the restaurant.   The kitchen is not open type, instead you can peek at the crew doing the ramen, as a slightly fragrant steam greets you from above.

Ordered the Shiromaru Motoaji, P 375
A creamy ramen with classic thin noodles. The noodle came with slices kikurage and spring onions.
The server asked me if I wanted the noodles soft, normal, hard. I wanted normal but the pesky server insisted that I order hard because that's how they eat it in Japan. (So much for choices, ramen Nazi) So I had mine hard. No upgrading to soft-boiled egg. I just wanted to taste the ramen soup if it is as advertised. I was also tempted to order a pork bun AKA cuapao but I'm just going to reserve it for my next visit.


The ramen arrived and held to its promise, it is light and flavorful but I should've stuck with my decision on the noodles. The hard noodles were good but these are not made for people in a hurry. The soup was indeed flavorful and it was made even better with bits of crushed garlic using the DIY presser on your table (again insisted by my server). To make it easy for you, this was Shio ramen with a fancier name. I slurped and sipped my soup and left with a smile.

It is hard to make a review based on one item alone.  After all the hype and Instagramming, plus the over-exaggerated OMG's, this ramen can indeed hold a noodle to other well-known brands; but given the number of ramen places that opened, the taste is just a bit familiar.

I'll be back soon, but I'm definitely not falling in line.

Check out my follow-up entry to this http://kainmanila.blogspot.com/2014/10/return-to-ippudo-or-how-i-dodged-long.html





Ippudo
3/F Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall
Budget: 400+ per person