At Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo, You Choose What Goes in Your Bowl

Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo
4/F Top of the Glo, Roofdeck, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

(SPOT.ph) With all the restaurants that offer it in the Metro, ramen is nothing new—so a just-opened place that offers a different take on the Japanese staple is sure to pique interest. Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo sets itself apart from the rest by offering ramen bowls you can customize.

Once you step inside this ramen joint—part of Mitsuyado Sei-men group—you’ll immediately feel like you’re transported to one of the street-side joints in Tokyo or Osaka. The look is very industrial and edgy, with the walls covered in tiles and metal juxtaposed with cement flooring. There’s also an intentionally unfinished block wall that divides the open kitchen from the dining area, which features wooden furnishings. A communal table means strangers can sit together while feasting on ramen, amidst the hanging Japanese lanterns and wall art. You’ll sense some sort of organized chaos in the air that adds to this casual restaurant’s charm.     

But all this doesn’t take the spotlight away from the real star of the show: the ramen. If you’re more inclined towards a thick and creamy broth, as opposed to a lighter one, then Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo will hit the spot. The richness of their ramen comes from the pork-bone broth that’s been cooked for eight to 12 hours, with all the goodness from the flavorful pork bones seeping into the soup. 

Since this restaurant is a shokudo, meaning you order cafeteria style, diners must place their orders at the counter and queue while waiting for the food to be prepared. As you move down the line, you can grab some add-ons on display while you watch the crew prepare your food through the open kitchen. Some of the additional items that would go well with your ramen are Ajitama (P40/piece) or soft-boiled seasoned egg, Ebi Tempura (P60/piece), Gyoza (P30/piece), or Curry Croquette (P50/piece).  

Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo lets you take control of what goes in your own ramen. Your bowl comes with your chosen broth and thin handmade noodles that are prepared daily, plus a single slice of chashu (braised pork belly), sliced wood ear mushrooms, and minced green onions. You then have the option to top your bowl off with a selection of toppings such as extra pork, soft-boiled egg, and more. 

The White Original (P180) is the best option for first-time visitors as this is Mitsuyado Ramen’s basic pork-bone broth. Pro tip: Head to the self-service area where you can get unlimited pickled ginger and sesame seeds, as well as other condiments and sauces. 

Fast becoming a popular choice is the Black Garlic (P180), which has the same base but is topped with garlic oil to add more depth to the soup. It complements the milky broth and makes it even tastier. Make sure to mix everything together so the garlic broth seeps into the noodles for a flavorful bite each time. The broth is good enough as is, but it’s even better with pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and a seasoned soft-boiled egg. 

Got an adventurous palate? Sample the Green Matcha (P180), which tastes better than it sounds. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that it doesn’t have the strong and bitter green-tea taste you’d expect. Instead, this broth has a subtle earthy flavor that doesn’t overpower the tonkotsu broth. 

The Sukiyaki Ramen (P300) features thin melt-in-your-mouth strips of beef tenderloin alongside the usual chashu, mushrooms, and green onions. We recommend getting the Red Spicy broth for this bowl.

If you can’t get enough of chashu, their Charsiu Ramen (P280) is for you. This bowl has eight thin slices of chashu spread across the rim of the bowl like a flower. 

Ramen has become so ubiquitous in the local food scene that it takes a lot to shake things up. With out-of-the-box choices and a fun DIY element, Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo is on the right track.

Photos by Marikit Singson