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.

More Ramen Spots in Metro Manila:

• Miso-Ten: A Ramen and Tempura Place in Robinsons Magnolia
• Wrong Ramen: Does it wrong but gets it right
• Ramen Bar: Revisiting For a Taste of Seasonal Menu Offerings
• Kichitora of Tokyo: Authentic Tokyo Ramen in SM Megamall
• Kokoro Ramenya: Authentic Japanese Ramen and More in Manila
• Moshi Koshi: Getting a Taste of the Metro's Noodle Boss
• Ramen Bar: My First Few Visits for a Taste of Ramen

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 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)

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)

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!

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)

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.

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.

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