Taisuke Nakamura Brings Inosho Ramen’s Fiery Flavors to Makati
Japan’s beloved ramen shop Inosho has finally landed in the Philippines, opening its first overseas branch in the bustling city of Makati. Founded in 2006, Inosho has built a loyal following across western Tokyo—particularly in the Shakujii area—with seven branches and a reputation for bold, flavor-packed ramen.
Its most iconic dish? The unforgettable Karakarauo Ramen, a rich, spicy bowl unlike anything else, and a deeply savory tsukemen (dipping noodles) served with a thick, umami-rich broth.
IMAGE from INOSHO Ramen
“Inosho’s signature is its intensely flavorful soup,” says owner Taisuke Nakamura. “We create a deep, layered taste by combining a rich broth with the umami of dried ingredients like katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and niboshi (dried sardines). Our Karakarauo Ramen is especially unique—it’s a full-bodied broth fused with serious heat. You won’t find this kind of flavor anywhere else.”
The idea to bring Inosho to the Philippines started two years ago, when Nakamura participated in a ramen festival in Makati. The response was overwhelming.
Taisuke Nakamura / IMAGE from Philippine Primer
“We served Karakarauo Ramen and our tsukemen, and the feedback was fantastic,” he recalls. “People kept telling us how delicious it was. We noticed that the Philippines has a large population of young people, and they seemed to really enjoy rich, bold flavors. That convinced us it was time to open a store here.”
Bringing Japanese ramen to the Philippines, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Ingredient sourcing had to be reconsidered, especially for the soup.
IMAGE from Philippine Primer
“Since we can’t export Japanese pork bones, we had to test and adjust our recipe many times,” Nakamura explains. “We played around with different combinations of dried fish like bonito and sardines to fine-tune the flavor. Interestingly, in the Philippines, we’re able to use pork knuckles with more meat attached, which actually gives us a more luxurious stock. That turned out to be a huge advantage.”
Inosho’s Makati branch is designed for comfort, with cozy sofa seating and a stylish bar counter that invites customers to relax and truly enjoy the experience.
IMAGE from INOSHO Ramen
“At Inosho, we believe ramen should be more than just delicious—it should be entertainment,” says Nakamura. “We want our customers to feel the excitement and joy of every bowl. Karakarauo Ramen may be a rare style in the Philippines right now, but I think it could easily become the spiciest ramen in the country! Of course, you can adjust the heat to your liking. I hope people will be curious and give it a try!”
Also Read: INOSHO Ramen in Makati: A Bold, New Take on Japanese Ramen
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