Want a classic Japanese ramen, as pure as can be? Visit this newly opened 'purist' ramen bar brought to you by the folks responsible for the famed ramen bowls of Ramen Yushoken in Alabang.
Photo from Mendokoro Ramenba Facebook page
Just a week old, Mendokoro Ramenba is currently on its dry run operations, open for lunch and dinner with limited number of bowls served from Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays). As in a Japanese ramen bar, diners are seated at a bar, as their bowls of ramen are prepared fresh, right in front of them. Seats are much coveted at Mendokoro, and a wait for your turn to order and eat can take from 20 minutes up to an hour. Basing from what the first batch of customers are posting over social media though, the wait for the limited bowls of ramen, with broth rich and flavorful, is worth it.
Photo from Mendokoro Ramenba Facebook page
Photo from Mendokoro Ramenba Facebook page
Their current menu is streamlined and gets straight into noodle slurping action: there's Tonkotsu Ramen available in Shio (P360), Shoyu (P390), Tantanmen (P440), and Miso (P440). The famed Tsukemen Ramen of Yushoken is here, too. Tsukumen separates the ramen noodles from its thickened broth, and it is consumed by dipping the noodles into the sauce, keeping the noodles al dente throughout your meal. Mendokoro is offering tsukemen in two variants: Tokusei (P450) and Karai Tokusei (P450). For the adventurous ramen monster, a must-try is their Cold Ramen (Hiyashi Chuka, P410). Essentially, this new restaurant is bringing the goodness of Ramen Yushoken in Makati, minus a few items such as chahan, gyoza, and karaage (for now, at least).
Photo from Mendokoro Ramenba Facebook page
Visit Mendokoro Ramenba at V Corporate Centre, Soliman Street, Salcedo Village, Makati. It's located behind Wildflour and right next to La Creperie. For its dry-run operating hours, open Mondays to Saturdays for lunch (from 11:30am until 80th bowl is served) and dinner (from 6:30pm until 100th bowl is served). Cash basis only. Call 215-1751, and Like their Facebook page (/mendokororamen).
