May 30, 2024

Menya Ippondo in Makati: Home of the Famous Jiro-Kei Ramen

Attention, ramen lovers: your go-to spot in Little Tokyo has undergone an exciting transformation. Formerly known as Ramen Shimada, the beloved establishment 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 cha-shu, 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 its Tonkotsu Ramen. This ramen’s soup is made from pork bones (From tonkotsu, hence the name), 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 (grilled pork slices), 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, they may opt for the Cha-su Men: tonkotsu ramen overloaded with thick cha-su slices. Yum!

Cha-su Men / IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

If you’re a fan of chicken, another ramen bowl to try is its Yonaki Ramen made with the fowl-based broth and all the good stuff. You may also splash of shoyu for more umami and a dash of togarashi for a subtle fiery kick, if you’d like.

Yonaki Ramen / IMAGE from Menya Ippondo

For spicy food lovers, sample the ever-flavorful 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.

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 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 ingredients to your ramen such as ni tamago (egg) more cha-shu or change the tenderness of your noodle. Pick from Katame (Hard), Futsu (Normal), or Yawaraka me (Soft).

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

IMAGE from Philippine Primer

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