Ippudo Philippines Opens in SM Megamall

IPPUDO, the popular and legit ramen place in Japan, finally opens its flagship store in the Philippines at the Mega Fashion Hall. The best part is, behind the culinary introduction is the Standard Hospitality Group (SHG), also the team behind my favorite restaurant Yabu. I've always associated them na with good food plus the best people / service!

I went there a few days ago, pre-opening, for a private tasting event with fellow bloggers and friends to find out what the excitement is all about. Also, it was a nice excuse to have a good time with the blog barkada, and enjoy a bowl of ramen on a rainy night! 

A multi-awarded restaurant (Yelp 2010 Best Restaurant in the USA), IPPUDO was founded in 1985 by internationally-renowned Ramen King Shigemi Kawahara. Aside from Japan, IPPUDO is also the popular ramen place in New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, Malaysia and Thailand.

You will love its wood-dominated homey interiors. The restaurant has around 79 seating capacity.

Extra spices, like pepper and fresh garlic, in all tables:

Finally, the food!
Hakata-style IPPUDO is famous for its tonkotsu broth (pork-based) which boasts a signature delicate and creamy flavour.

THE RAMEN
IPPUDO’s signature ramen, the Shiromaru Motoaji – original tonkotsu broth served with ultra-thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, kikurage and spring onions:


The Akamaru Shinaji – a modern reinvention featuring special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil in addition to pork belly, bean sprouts, kikurage and spring onions:


For those who love spicy dishes: The Karaka-men features thin, curly noodles, spicy miso paste, fragrant garlic oil and ground pork, with cashew nuts and pork belly:

There are array of toppings for guests to add-on to their ramen, such as the tamago (salted soft-boiled egg), chashu (simmered pork belly), and nori (seaweed). I tried the spicy Karaka-men, which is actually not that spicy na hindi mo na matitikman your food. I like the garlic-y taste, plus the noodles option (hard) all worked well together. It was an enjoyable bowl of soup, also the serving size is big so it's good to share. 

SIDE DISHES
GomaQ 

DashiMaki Tamago

Curry Cheese Harumaki 

Pork Bun

Oroshi Ponzu Gyoza

Agedashi Tofu

Bakuretsu Tofu

Black Sesame Ice Cream

Chicken Bun

Crispy Corn

Eel Rice in Stonepot

Green Tea Icecream

Hakata Meshi

Ippudo Salad

Soy Panna Cotta

Teppan Tonkotsu

Tonkotsu Garlic

Tori Karaage

The verdict: I love it! I can imagine going back here after a long work day, to relax lalo na pag umuulan. Service, especially from SHG team, is great as usual! I seldom crave for ramen, but Ippudo's Karaka-men is memorable. I'd have one again, with the GomaQ and Tamago side dishes, when I go back to Megamall.

More photos from the event:

  

I heard that their opening day was a blockbuster! Pila balde! Haha! Congrats to Ippudo and their whole awesome team (special thanks to Bridges PR, Erika, and Denise!) for bringing another source-of-craving slash second-home-"feels" in Manila. ;)

Ippudo is open daily, from 10 am to 10 pm. 

3F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas.

For more info and updates, visit their Facebook or Twitter and Instagram @ippudoph.