Located in Little Tokyo in Makati, "MENYA IPPONDO" is a restaurant where you can enjoy authentic ramen in an atmosphere unique to a Japanese town.
Easily recognizable by its red lanterns and large sign, the restaurant boasts a simple, clean, and relaxing interior. It's a great place to go even if you're dining alone, and it's perfect not only for a meal but also for a late-night ramen fix after a night out.
Opening hours are from 4 PM to 5 AM the following day on weekdays, and until 5 AM the following day on weekends. Because it's open until late at night, it's a convenient option if you want to eat ramen late in the Makati area.
Jiro-style ramen is rare in the Philippines.
The ramen I had this time was Jiro-style ramen.
This hearty bowl is packed with cabbage and bean sprouts, plenty of garlic, and thick slices of char siu pork, making it a truly eye-catching dish.
The noodles are thick and chewy, making them incredibly satisfying. They have a distinct presence that sets them apart from typical ramen, and you can enjoy their firm texture and wheat flavor.
The soup was rich but not too heavy, and it balanced well with the vegetables and noodles. The addition of crisp cabbage and bean sprouts added a nice textural contrast, allowing me to enjoy it without getting bored until the very last bite.
Since there aren't many restaurants in the Philippines that serve Jiro-style ramen, this is a bowl I would especially recommend to those who like hearty ramen.
Dan Dan noodles and char siu noodles are also popular.
At Menya Ippondo, you can enjoy a variety of ramen dishes in addition to Jiro-style ramen.
Among them, the Special Dan Dan Noodles feature a rich soup based on chicken broth. With a good balance of moderate spiciness and umami, it is one of the restaurant's signature dishes.
The char siu ramen is a hearty bowl topped with so much char siu that it covers the entire bowl. You can enjoy the combination of rich soup and tender char siu.
In addition, they also offer Taiwanese ramen, extra-pork ramen, and late-night ramen, so you can choose according to your mood that day, which is another appealing feature.
Recommended as a late-night snack after a drinking party.
The area around Little Tokyo is known for its concentration of Japanese restaurants and izakayas (Japanese-style pubs).
Menya Ippondo is open until 5 AM, making it a popular spot not only for meals but also for those looking for a late-night ramen fix after a night out drinking.
This restaurant is recommended for a wide range of ramen lovers, from those who want to enjoy a hearty Jiro-style ramen to those who want to savor tantanmen or tonkotsu ramen.
