10. Raku Hokkaido Ramen House

Le Grand Condominium
130 Valero Street, Salcedo Village
Makati
Tel. 553 6635

One of the newest contenders to join the ramen craze is Raku. Their Two Mushroom Ramen (P195) uses a shoyu-based broth filled with fresh Shiitake mushrooms, black fungus, spring onions, and kelp. This is probably the lightest ramen of them all but the earthy intensity of the Shiitake mushrooms stands out, and the bite of the thin sheets of black fungus goes well with the noddles’ slight crunch.

9. Choto Stop
Little Tokyo
Pasong Tamo (next to Makati Cinema Square), Makati
Tel. 759 5560


Inside this mini mart is a small dining area that serves bento boxes and noodle bowls to Japanese expats who often frequent this place to grab a quick bite to eat. Their no-frills Miso Ramen (P170) is generously topped with fresh spring onions, crunchy bean sprouts, leeks and ground pork that all come from Choto Stop’s imported produce from Japan. The broth is very light, a little spicy from the black pepper. The pork gives it a robust savory flavor and creates a nice contrast to the ramen’s fresh greens.

8. Kimpura Japanese Restaurant
Greenhills Shopping Center
Ortigas Avenue, San Juan
Tel. 721 8896


Through the years, Kimpura has made a name for itself as a go-to place for authentic Japanese eats. This longstanding restaurant is a classic ramen stop that dishes out a mean bowl Seafood Ramen (P450). The secret lies in its fresh chicken stock made on-site daily, made more authentic with servings of dashi (fish stock), shoyu, sake and mirin.  The ramen is very generous with the soft egg noodles, which comes with hefty pieces of whole prawns, chopped squid, fresh mushrooms, green peas and other greens. Although this bowl seems to have less ingredients than the others we tried, the broth is just as comforting, and the tasty noodles make up for it.

7. Izakaya Nihonbashitei
800 A. Arnaiz Avenue
Makati
Tel. 818 8893

Nihonbashitei’s Ankake ramen, a serving of noodles with shrimps, squid, slices of fish, fish balls, fresh assorted mushrooms, quail eggs, carrots and greens, comes in a massive bowl that can feed up to three people. The broth is slighty thicker than those of the other contenders, plus its extensive seafood ingredients create a sensory experience in every bite, from the range of textures of the chewy shrimp and squid, the flaky fish, the crisp vegetables to the hot, thick and slightly gooey broth.

6. Konbini Store
#57 Connecticut Street
Northeast Greenhills, San Juan
Tel. 722 4263


This Japanese mini mart in Greenhills has a dining area and serves a hearty set of Tonkotsu Ramen with an order of gyoza (P300). The broth has a thick, milky consistency and comes with slices of pork that almost taste like bacon, which goes quite well with the hard boiled eggs—almost like a full breakfast but with a Japanese twist from the leeks and nori. The broth is served at the perfect temperature, warm but not too hot—just enough to give you that comforting feeling on a cold, rainy day, like a great big hug.

5. Ramen Bar
Ground level, Eastwood Mall
Libis, Quezon City


This noodle joint is tucked in a less busy corner of Eastwood Mall. Their R.B.S. #1 (P380) comes highly recommended—a pork broth that has been boiled for 20 hours is the true star of the dish. Its taste lingers in the mouth just long enough for you to want to keep sipping on it, without overpowering the tender chasyu and pork belly. In fact, the broth enhances the meat’s flavor and balances out the taste of the boiled eggs, nori and fishsticks. Sate your pork cravings with this hefty bowl.

4. Ajisen Ramen
Northeast Square
47 Connecticut Street, Northeast Greenhills
San Juan
Tel. 477 6490


This popular ramen chain has various locations in Manila and all over the world.  Its signature dish is the Ajisen Ramen (P235), a bowl of Kyushu-style pork broth with whole wheat noodles, tender barbecue pork, egg, cabbage, fungus and leeks.  The secret ingredient, so it seems, is the Ajisen powder, which gives the ramen a memorable flavor. Definitely not the commercialized kind, Ajisen’s ramen is among the tastiest we tried, plus we love how the service is always swift here.

3. Keizo
Burgos Circle, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Tel. 403 3839

Keizo’s shoyu ramen has earned a spot on any ramen-holic’s must-try list—a simple bowl of chicken broth, boiled egg, spinach, bamboo shoots, and a tender slice of pork belly. The noodles seemed to have a flavor of its own, and together with the broth, the combo packs a harmonious sweet-salty spoonful. There’s a humbling experience that prevails when eating this ramen—it’s just like mom’s homecooking.

2. Kenji Tei
President’s Avenue
BF Homes, Paranaque
Tel. 556 8805


This small noodle joint stands out amongst the numerous restaurants that populate the south. Kenji Tei takes pride in their Spicy Negi Ramen’s homemade noodles (P200), which has a miso broth and slices of melt-in-your-mouth chasu (pork) and lots of leeks. Although everything is locally sourced, the ramen comes close to an authentic Japanese version—the temperature of the chicken and pork broth must be the secret to getting it right. Also order the Crispy Chicken Teriyaki (P160)—it complements the ramen quite well.

1. Ukokkei Ramen Ron
Tesoro Building 822 A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati
Tel. 856 4585


Helmed by the infamous "ramen nazi," it’s no secret that Ukkokei Ram Ron dishes out the best bowls of ramen in town. Their Tantanmen (P390) flaunts the most memorable, creamy miso broth that contains no milk or peanuts, instead it’s mixed with ground sesame paste that gives it a unique, nutty flavor. There’s a slightly spicy kick to this one, made more intense with full-flavored ground pork and leeks. Try it with a side order of their Aji Tamago, a cross between a hard and soft boiled egg with a jelly-esque yolk (P80) and add it to the rich, chicken-based broth. The Tantanmen is only available dinner time so be sure to go early since they only make 10 bowls per day.