Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen: Noodle Invasion at Shangri-la Plaza

If the last few years were a booming season for milk tea, I think this 2013 is definitely the year of ramen. Just the past few months alone, there are already a number of ramen shops opening all over the Metro. And while I'm no ramen connoisseur, I think I've already embarked on a ramen journey. So as my 4th ramen joint entry this year, let me share my recent Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen experience at Shangri-la Plaza's new East Wing.
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Shangri-la Mall East Wing

More Ramen Spots in Metro Manila:

I've always had a thing for Japanese cuisine. And since it's unlikely for me to travel to Japan any time soon, I appreciate when Japanese chains put up restaurants in the Philippines -- even indirectly, I get to experience something close to, or better yet legit, authentic Japanese food. This was fortunately the case for Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen as it's a ramen joint from Fukuoka, Japan with branches not just in Tokyo, Osaka and other Japanese cities, but also has over 150 restaurants in Taiwan, Thailand and China.

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Shangri-la East Wing

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is probably one of the first restaurants to open in Shangri-la Plaza's East Wing. Although it started catering to ramen lovers since March 1, I'm not ashamed to be a little too late in joining them on this ramen food trip. So one afternoon, with Stacy and the beau, we headed to Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen for late lunch.

Most of the ramen places I've been to have simple interiors. And while Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen generally falls under that category, one can't simply ignore the bamboo divider thingies that surround the whole restaurant. While I like how it gives a more oriental feel, it also makes the place feel a little cramped. So you could say, I kind of like it, but not so much. It was a different story for the food though, so let me go straight to it.

Gyoza (P150)
Gyoza (P150)
For some reason, Gyoza as an appetizer has already been a part of my ramen adventures. And while these bundles of meat may look simple, they're actually pretty plump and succulent on the inside. They also have just the right balance of delicate steamed parts and slightly crisp pan-fried portions which make every bite enjoyable.

The Ramen

The star of our Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen trip was definitely the noodle dishes. But unlike in other ramen houses, when our server was taking our orders, he asked us if we wanted our noodles hard, normal or soft. Now, this is the first time I've dined in a ramen joint which offers customizable noodle doneness, so definitely plus points for this!

Ajitama Tonkotsu (P380)
✓ Ajitama Tonkotsu (P380)
My choice of ramen was the Ajitama Tonkotsu which was a bowl of creamy, hearty and fatty tonkotsu ramen with chashu (braised pork belly), green onions, bamboo shoots, wood ear, dried seaweed and ajitama (Japanese half-boiled egg). Every spoonful of broth and toppings was an explosion of mellow, comforting flavors. The noodles on the other hand, which I requested to be hard, were definitely koshi or al dente in Japanese. So yay!

Ajitama Tonkotsu Ramen

Since this bowl is one of the mellowest I've had, I didn't expect it to also be the fattiest bowl of ramen I've had so far (even surpassing Wrong Ramen's which promised to be fatty). After finishing up the whole serving, I felt a little dizzy and light-headed. That's not a bad thing though as it just means I'm getting what I'm paying for. After all, tonkotsu = pork bone (fat and marrow included), so make sure to take it in moderation.

Black Garlic Tonkotsu (P380)
✓ Black Garlic Tonkotsu (P380)
The beau on the other hand, had the Black Garlic Tonkotsu which I believe has almost the same ingredients as my order but without the ajitama and with the addition of special roasted garlic oil in the mix. While I'm not generally the type who digs too flavorful broths, I have to admit that I like this a lot better than my bowl. Every spoonful just has that roasted garlic goodness that goes well with the fatty tonkotsu broth and all the toppings.

Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen

As for the Black Garlic Tonkotsu's noodle doneness, the beau asked for normal. But when I got a taste of his ramen, it seems like his was more koshi than my order. I'm not sure if our server got our preferred noodle doneness mixed up, but my hunch is my noodles got softer since I didn't get to eat it right after it was served. So yeah, the beau's bad habit of ruining the food's presentation before I even take a snap of it paid off this time. Oh, and he shares the same feedback as mine too with the bowl's fat content.

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen Sauces
raiyu (chili oil), shoyu (soy sauce) and su (vinegar)
Ideally, one need not add condiments if a bowl of ramen is really good. But for our trip to Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, the beau and I found ourselves reaching for the soy sauce and chili oil to give our bowls some kick. Not to say that they're not good, but our ramen were generally lacking in something, either saltiness or more umami. And now that I think about it, maybe the ramen joint made this on purpose so diners can customize their ramen's overall flavor, just like how the noodle's doneness are also customizable.

THE VERDICT

The ramen scene in Manila has been really blooming, and there's no doubt that Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen is one of the stronger contenders. However, I can't say that my palate and ramen preference jive with their offerings a hundred percent. I somehow like their ramen's subtle flavor and koshi noodles, but at the same time, I'm puzzled whether the need for condiments is done on purpose or not. Nonetheless, I see myself returning when I crave for a fatty bowl of thin yet koshi ramen noodles which come with prompt and thoughtful service in a simple, modern and laid-back restaurant ambiance.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, Shangri-la Plaza Mall
5/F Shangri-la Plaza Mall, East Wing, Shaw Blvd. cor. EDSA,
Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 477-8333
Facebook Page

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen, SM Aura Premier
2/F SM Aura Premier , McKinley Parkway
McKinley Hill, Taguig
Metro Manila, Philippines

24 comments:

  1. I've tried Ramen Place in Fort last time and it was okay, I heard one of my friends going here and she said she quite liked it! :D I can agree on the 'ramen' scene blooming thing because I've been seing a lot of them lately! Great review and photos Sumi <3

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  2. Black Garlic Tonkotsu looks delicious. Le bf loves Ramen. :)

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  3. After trying Miso Ten cos of your recommendation, I'll definitely we'll definitely try this one next!

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    1. Go! :D Hope you let me know how your experience went, by then ^^ Although I like Ikkoryu, the ramen was too fatty for me to finish alone >.<

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  4. How timely, I'm having ramyun as I'm reading this post! :)

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  5. Taas ng rating! Looks like dyan ako pupunta para makakain ng masarap na noodles ah. Good thing it's very near my place!! :D

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  6. hahaha, it didn't register to me that a bowl will cost me that much calories. i just savored the flavor, i enjoyed my visit there.

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  7. Perfect for the cold, rainy days! :) I can't remember the last time I had ramen.

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  8. Now i'm craving for ramen :| have you tried the one in katip? it's called ramen oh :D (*segue mode ako*) ok din siya, i reviewed them sa food blog ko, even pop talk reviewed their resto this month! :D

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    1. I haven't tried Ramen Oh yet pero I'm planning to :)

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  9. I haven't been to Ikkoryu, but I will soon! :)

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  10. I tried the Black Garlic Tonkotsu when I went there. Tasty, but too greasy for me. The gyoza looks yummy!

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    1. Haha true! I actually never had problems with any ramen's oiliness, but I think Ikkoryu's was a little too much for me.

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  11. yummy!!! I love Japanese cuisine! :D The tonkotsu looks veryyy yummy and spicy! hahahahaha :D

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    1. Oh no, no.. The tonkotsu is not one bit spicy! There's another ramen variant which is spicy though :)

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  12. it is always great to see updates from you... i get ideas on perfect places to go to... i'll contact you and some food blogger friends 'pag need ko ng great place...

    hmmmnnn.... your rating sa price mejo mababa, so saan pa kaya mas okay na Ramen House na mas okay ang price?

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    1. 3.5 is fair naman and not really low, pero I rated the price that way since P380 a bowl/person is quite steep for an average Juan. Quality-wise, Ikkoryu is good though :)

      Pero if you're looking for more affordable (P200 and below) but still as good ramen, you can check out Moshi Koshi ^^ Ramen Oh in Katipunan is a good candidate too, although I haven't tried it out yet.

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  13. Reading this post, on a rainy Saturday morning makes me feel like putting my shoes on and running straight to a ramen house, and then head to the grocery to get ramen ingredients and then cooking them when I get home. Thanks for this post :)

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  14. This is one Ramen I'd like to visit in the coming days

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  15. I have never had an authentic ramen but it is always one on my foodie wish list. they recently opened Japanese bakery here and we will be of to visit next week. too bad though because they don't serve ramen yet haha. i hope in time, there will be more Japanese restaurants offering other than miso soup.

    great photos as always, Sumi

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  16. There are a lot of noodle houses sprouting in the metro! I am not a fan of noodles, but I think I should explore these places next time :) and wow, you have tried alot of noodle houses!

    This place looks like it is for upscale market just looking at the locations. I would try this place once we are in the area. Thanks for the great review as always! :)

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  17. Their price for every noodle is kinda pricey but Black garlic tonkotsu is kinda unique and looks yummy and there's alot of people eating at this restaurant so maybe they really offer a different and classy ramens. :) got to visit this :D Thank you!!

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  18. Ramen craze all over manila! Cant get enough of Japanese Cuisine :D

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  19. I really wanted to try their ramen eversince but I have no time because it was too far where I live in. Try ajisen ramen in sto.domingo manila. I really like their ramen there. :)

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