Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan Boasts Stunning Japandi Interiors, Crowd-Favorite Noods

Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan 
The Arton Strip by Rockwell, 58 Highland Drive, Project 4, Quezon City
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mendokororamen 

(SPOT.ph) Mendokoro Ramenba is likely to be on any ramen connoisseur's list of favorites. Even with the many ramen spots open today, people continue to go back for their umami-rich bowl of noodles that's topped with a thick slab of melt-in-your-mouth grilled pork. But given their popularity (which would notoriously spur long lines), dining here requires a serious level of patience. Which is short of saying, you can't come here hangry. 

Those of us from the North have the added struggle of having to go all the way to their other branches in BGC, Makati, or Mall of Asia to get our fix. Well, until now.  Good news: Mendokoro Ramenba has opened another branch—their largest and only store in the North, at that.

What's new in Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan:

Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan, found at the Arton Strip commercial complex, is currently on soft opening. Still, by the looks of how full the restaurant was when we visited, you just know patrons of the popular ramen joint can no longer wait for the restaurant's grand opening before they sample the goods. 

The 209-square-meter space features 42 seats around the bar, slightly more than the capacity of its Makati and MOA branches while just slightly behind its largest outpost in BGC. Despite being the second largest branch to date, a queue of people was still waiting to dine when we went—not necessarily bad, granted you arrive ahead of the lunch or dinner crowd.

Entering the new Mendokoro branch gives diners a sense of wonder and a jolt of de ja vu. On one hand, you have the familiar irasshaimase greeting, the clatter and sizzle of pots and grills, and the wafting scent of gyoza being grilled, and the low and slow simmering of pork bones to make ramen broth. At this point, everything is still familiar, but once you take a closer look around you, you'll notice this new branch sports a fancier and more intentional look. 

The restaurant is beautifully decorated, to say the least. Its modern Japandi-style interior features abundant natural elements, such as wood and plants, along with warm lighting that mimics the warm glow of sunlight. 

There's also a bright accent wall with an Edo-period-style mural of Japanese wrestlers designed to resemble backlit traditional Japanese partitions—a break from the surrounding walls, which bear delicately carved wooden panels bearing the brand's name. 

But, all that pales compared to the restaurant's most striking feature: their ceiling fixtures.

Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan's ceiling is covered with hanging wooden chandeliers. Long strands of wooden beads strung together on a string give this restaurant's ceiling much-needed texture, contrasting the sleek and clean lines below. 

What to order at Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan?

Let's face it. You don't go to Mendokoro to stare at ceiling fixtures and wooden panels. You come here to eat. Mendokoro Katipunan offers all the usual noodle eats in other Yushoken and Mendokoro branches. You've got your usual ramen trio: shio, shoyu, and tantanmen; a selection of dipped noodles, a.k.a. tsukemen; maze soba or soupless ramen; cold broth or hiyashi ramen, side dishes, and drinks. 

If you're in the mood for eats that are not your usual, their secret off-menu options have got you. Give your server a wink and order secret-menu favorites here, such as the generously porky Super Chasu and the seafood-forward Ebi Tonkotsu ramen bowls.

But if there's one secret menu item you shouldn't sleep on, it's their Chasu Burger. 

TBH, we were surprised to hear about this secret menu item from a friend and we're glad we did. The Chasu Burger has generous pulled pork chashu strands and lettuce, sandwiched between two pillowy soft buttered brioche buns. It's essentially a pulled pork sandwich, but Mendokoro's version is drenched in a lightly creamy and mildly tangy sauce that cuts through the meaty and smoky flavor of the pork. Low-key petitioning Mendokoro to make this a regular item, please!

Another public secret about Nippon Hasha brands is that you can cross-order from other concepts. As the restaurant is still in soft opening, this hack is still unavailable at the Mendokoro Katipunan branch, given that it's still finding its footing. But rest assured, following the branch's grand launch, you'll soon be able to cross-order Yushoken favorites like their karaage from here. 

Mendokoro Ramenba Katipunan is at The Arton Strip by Rockwell, 58 Highland Drive, Project 4, Quezon City. For more information, visit Mendokoro Ramenba's Facebook page.

Also read:
The SPOT.ph Guide to Japanese Food
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