Wrong Ramen: How can this wrong be so right?

While I may not be the biggest fan of ramen, I can't deny that I still have an undying drive to scout both the old and new ramen places sprouting in the metro. My most recent visit was a trip to a really unique ramen house in Bonifacio Global City. What's unique, you ask? Just the name, Wrong Ramen, was so unusual that it seriously piqued my interest.

Tucked within Burgos Circle in the BGC area, Wrong Ramen is probably the quirkiest ramen house I've ever been to. Where can you ever find a ramen joint proclaiming itself as something wrong? That's just crazy, right? And aside from the name, the overall feel that this place gives off is a combination of wits, humor and creativity in large doses.

"Right ramen is made by Japanese cooks.
Wrong ramen is made by idiots who think they're better than Japanese cooks."

Just look at Wrong Ramen's mantra! That sounds so wrong, yet so right and so funny at the same time. My friend Vernice and I just loved it the moment we saw that framed philosophy. And whenever we had our eyes accidentally glance on it, we can't help but smile. While the two-floor restaurant is really small and quite cramped for my personal preference, there are other pieces here and there one can take some interest of.

Digging the scrabble tile statement decor.

Tables have removable dividers for your (un)wanted privacy.

And here's another one I oh-so-love!

Trivial I know, but I really find these salt & pepper shakers cute.

Basically, Wrong Ramen is that ramen joint where you can just lay back, be casual and be amused as you take your fill. And speaking of which, let me share with you (before I go off-topic) what my friend and I had for our weekend lunch session at Wrong Ramen.

To start off our meal, we had these Japanese Oyster Kushikatsu (P290) -- a pair of Japanese breaded and fried kebabs served with arugula and your choice of dipping sauce among soy ginger, chili soy ginger, tartar, and curry mayonnaise. And while I usually prefer my oysters raw or baked with cheese, I can't deny that I loved this one to bits! The outside was crispy while the inside was just creamy and buttery. Yum!

Another starter we had was the Bacon Katsu (P260) which are pieces of crispy bacon stuffed with cheese then served with alfalfa sprouts and sweet wasabi. While I'm a fan of anything bacon, I somehow seemed to prefer the previous appetizer than this plate. Don't get me wrong though, these are tasty. However, I feel like it was the sauce and the alfalfa adding spunk to the ensemble. The breading wasn't as crispy as I expected either.

For ramen, we first had the best-selling Wrong Ramen Rich Tonkotsu (P385) -- a bowl of rich, milky and lip-smacking pork bone and chicken broth served with sliced chashu. This one was really a good fill for a hungry foodie. Since it comes in a big bowl, it can be good for sharing especially for light eaters. The noodles were firm yet chewy too, and the chashu pieces were juicy and oozing with a nice roasted flavor. Comfort food!

My friend and I also shared an order of Wrong Ramen Tantanmen (P395) -- a bowl of bold, nutty sesame broth with a mild spicy kick, served with shredded chashu and ground pork. Now, while the previous bowl is probably good for someone with PMS, this one on the other hand is perfect for those wanting to excite the taste buds. Every slurp was an explosion of flavors, and seriously, I'll order this again the next time around.

We were already full at this point, but we didn't dare miss the Crispy Pata Ssam (P980) -- crispy and juicy pork leg cooked for 5 hours and served with lettuce, cucumbers, onion slices, pineapples and ssam sauce. I know, this is so Korean. I guess this is what makes Wrong Ramen wrong, but in some way right too since they did this dish right. Wrapping the tender meat and crispy crackling in lettuce and eating it Korean style wasn't only interactive and fun, but this method brought out a nice combination of flavors too.

We might have missed the dessert since we were seriously so full to the brim, but on my next visit to Wrong Ramen, I'll make sure to try their F.U. Ramen (P425) -- think breakfast in a bowl with black pepper Spam, bacon, cheese and fried egg, as well as the Sea Men Ramen (P345) which is an infamous bowl not of anything carnal but of seafood. And of course, I won't forget to have the Poop of the Gods (P130) next time!

THE VERDICT

Wrong Ramen might be a ramen playpen which will entertain and make you giggle. But aside from the concept and witty aspect behind this ramen joint, I can say that food is actually good. If you're looking for an authentic Japanese ramen house, then this is definitely not the place for you. But if you're up for a bowl of unconventional flavor combinations with a siding of cool, witty and creative humor, then make sure to give Wrong Ramen a visit soon and experience something wrong made right.

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

Wrong Ramen, Burgos Circle
Burgos Circle, Forbestown Rd.,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
(02) 823-8249
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