March 28, 2025

Menya Ippondo in Makati: Home of the Famous Jiro-kei Ramen and Tantanmen

Attention, ramen lovers: your go-to spot in Little Tokyo has undergone an exciting transformation. Formerly known as Ramen Shimada, the beloved ramen shop has changed its name to Menya Ippondo, where the same delicious noodle experience awaits.

IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

Maintaining its affordability all the while serving quality and authentic taste, Menya Ippondo has a lot of old and new offerings for you to try. This ramen joint is known for its Jiro-kei Ramen, an over-the-top, customizable creation loaded with chashu, veggies, and toasted garlic that will surely fill the bellies of even the most ravenous eaters!

Jiro-kei Ramen / IMAGE from Menya Ipppondo

For first-timers, however, you’ll never go wrong with Menya Ippondo’s Tonkotsu Ramen. The ramen soup is made from pork bones, which are simmered for hours with secret ingredients and spices until they release their collagen and marrow, resulting in a thick, milky-white base.

Firm noodles, cha-shu, menma (picked bamboo shoots) and scallions are added to this savory base that make this a hearty, soul-warming noodle dish that’s just perfect anytime of the day.

Tonkotsu Ramen / IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

For those with a hearty appetite, you may opt for the Cha-shu Men: tonkotsu ramen overloaded with thick cha-su slices! It’s a creation that brings you a meaty experience that will take your breath away, thanks to a combination of umami pork bone broth, firm noodles, and tender braised pork belly slices melting in your mouth.

Cha-shu Men / IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

If you’re a fan of chicken, another ramen bowl to try is Menya Ippondo’s Yonaki Ramen. You may also add a splash of shoyu (soy sauce) for more umami and a dash of togarashi (chili peppers) for a mild fiery taste, if you’d like.

Yonaki Ramen / IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

For chiliheads, sample the ever-flavorful Special Tantanmen, which has a nutty, slighty spicy soup flavored with sesame seeds and generous dollops of chili oil, topped with ground pork, scalions, and bokchoy. Boasting a fiery rich broth, a lot of customers claim it is the best Tantanmen in Manila!

Tantanmen / IMAGE from Philippine Primer

Perhaps, one of the most popular offerings in the menu that you might wish to try is the Taiwan Ramen. It has a chicken-based broth flavored with shoyu and is topped with minced pork, bean sprouts, and chives stir-fried with chili peppers and garlic. For its own spin, Menya Ippondo adds clams for a unique, briny depth of flavor.

Taiwan Ramen / IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

You may also add other toppings to your ramen such as tamago (egg) and extra chashu or change the firmness of your noodles. Pick from Katame (Hard), Futsu (Normal), or Yawaraka me (Soft).

For sides, you may order chahan (Japanese-style fried rice), karaage (fried chicken), gyoza (steamed dumplings), among others. Then, end your meal with their kuromitsu kinako ice cream.

Chahan

Gyoza / IMAGES from Menya Ippondo

Fill your bellies with a steaming bowl of ramen this rainy season, and visit Menya Ippondo at Little Tokyo, Chino Roces Avenue, Legaspi Village, Makati City.

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

For more information, you may contact them at 0910-939-6492. They are open from Monday to Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.