The Best Ramen in Town: IPPUDO

I am not a huge fan of noodles. Or goto. But that's another story. Haha. Whenever my matakaw sister would invite me to eat Ramen (she's obsessed with it), I always, always come up with an excuse to not go. Haha. But I think, I might have already changed my mind after last night! My friends from Bridges and also Yabu (hi Denise & Erika!) invited me to the exclusive, private tasting event of the world famous ramen place IPPUDO, SM Megamall Fashion Hall and I went home a convert. It's actually life changing for me. Haha. Here are photos!

Ooh, love the exterior! Legiiit. It's like you're really going inside a secret ramen place. Hihi.

Founded in 1985 by Shigemi Kawahara, the internationally-renowned Ramen King, IPPUDO PH is the newest addition to other global stores in places such as New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, Malaysia and Thailand. Backed up by a huge following around the world, recognitions from the top dogs in the culinary industry, and boasting of acclaims such as earning Yelp 2010 Best Restaurant in the USA, Zagat, Ippudo has definitely raised the standards of Philippine ramen culture.

 Chose the most spicy among the 3--- Karaka-Men! 

 Appetizers!

 How to enjoy Ramen :)

Here are some of the appetizers / side-dishes I was able to try...

 Pork Bun

This is just delicious. I ate it separately though. Pork was cooked just right (sweet and salty, perfect combi!) and the bun is my fave! I could eat 10 of these in one sitting.

 GomaQ 

This one I finished! I love how cucumbers refreshes one's palette. Love the combination of sweetness, saltiness and spiciness. 

Curry Cheese Harumaki

My fave! If you love curry puff, you'll love this. It's crunchy and it's cooked to perfection. Loveeeee.

Dashimaki Tamago with Mentaiko

In short, egg roll. It's perfect with the dip. Dip tasted like mayo. I like.

Now here's my ramen!!!

 heaven in a bowl...

 Karakamen

Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth served with thin wavy noodles, pork belly & spring onions. The special spicy minced meat, miso paste & fragrant garlic oil, add a kick to the senses.

 In short, masarap sha sobra!!!! Once you pop, you can't stop levels. Hehe.

 Here are some of the dishes I wasn't able to try, but I'm certain would rock your world too...

 Shiromaru Motoaji

Original tonkotsu broth served with ultra thin noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts, kukurage & spring onions. Classic Hakata-style ramen. 

Akamaru Shinaji

Original tonkotsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste & fragrant garlic oil. Served with thin noodles, pork belly, kukurage & spring onions. A refined modern style ramen.

 Bakuretsu Tofu

 Black Sesame Ice Cream - wish I was able to taste this! Next time!:)

Crispy Corn 

 Eel rice in Stone Pot

 Green Tea Ice Cream - another one on my list!

 Hakata Meshi

 Ippudo Salad - look yummy and healthy!

 Soy Panna Cotta

 Tepan Tonkotsu Spicy Rice

 Tonkotsu Garlic Rice

Tori Karaage

Agadeshi Tofu

 Ippudo's redient chef, Chef Doi, in action!

 May problema at si Sarah oh. Haha!

 Bloggers in action

 we just had to follow him inside the kitchen. haha!

 food coma

The clingies with Yabu girls Denise & Erika!:)

Go treat yourself to a hearty bowl with your friends and family! I promise, you will love the food, the place, ambiance and their world class service. :) IPPUDO opens on Sept. 10 so go early to avoid the long line! See you there! :)

Behind this culinary introduction is the Standard Hospitality Group under the leadership of John Concepcion. With years of experience in the food industry, Concepcion and SHG are set to continue to pamper Filipinos and their love for hearty, quality dining in the Philippines.

For more information, please visit IPPUDO PH’s website at www.ippudoph.com or Like them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/IppudoPH and Instagram/Twitter @ippudoph #ippudoph.

Blogkada Dinner at TIAGO

Every once in a while the clingys would gather, sans events, and just bond over great food, music, drinks and countless stories. Our latest was a simple get together dinner (minus Tracy and Tin, I miss you guys) last Saturday at TIAGO, Scout Fuentebella Tomas Morato. I think it's one of the best meeting places for friends who just want to lounge and bond for hours. They serve progressive Filipino food from heirloom recipes prepared by award winning chef Kenneth Villaluz, throwing in the mix his own style and techniques. The industrial interiors -- concrete walls, red pipes, vintage displays, sexy leather seats-- also adds up to the place's charm. I could spend hours here just doing nothing haha. Photos!

These items on display are from the owners, John & Sigrid Buendia's archives. That adorable baby photo is their child Santiago. Now you know where the restaurant's name came from.:)

the walls are not actually made of cement, and the wood panel is not actually wood! it was made with love by the owner John. Sigrid mentioned their house also has this same feel. I wanna take a peek see! 

Sigrid told us that this is their first venture and the idea started from their garage. Their friends would come to tambay, drink and eat until someone pitched the idea to put up a resto/bar na. Galing noh?

 the coolest chef ever! 

 early birds Niche and Arnie

And then food was served! I love how Chef Kenneth explained each and every dish. Cooked to perfection, made with love! Hehe.:)

 Inihaw na Tilapia Roll. They use homemade buro fermented for 4 days for that perfect burst of flavor:)

 cutie arnie

 Tokwa't Baboy. Fried tofu topped with grilled or was it boiled pig's ears. Delicious!

 Bistek Pancit. Canton Noodles + Rib Eye Beef + Onion Rings + Soy/Calamansi Sauce. You can eat this with rice or as it is.

 Pinausukang Chicken & Pork Adobo. Smoked chicken in Mindanao Adobo Sauce with quail eggs & pork trotters. Love the sauce!

Tinapa Rice. I don't eat tinapa (since forever) so I just ordered plain rice. But I tasted mga 3 pcs of butil and it's super tasty. I think you'd all love it:)

Pork & Shrimp wrap with gata/bagoong sauce. 

Ana's unique chopseuy. Sauce tasted like vinagraitte. We loved it.

Suman (Sigrid told us this is usually served with Tinapa icecream on top!)

Leche Flan with Saba on top. This you have to taste. 

Overall, it was a unique & heavenly food experience. I tasted flavors I haven't tasted anywhere else. Love how they prepared each dish and also the amazing presentation. Afterwards, we finally brought out our surprise for Paul! He didn't know we organized the whole dinner for him:)

 

We're proud of how far you've come lalo na being nominated sa Virtual Style Awards of Stylebible!:)

 with my labs Sarah

 Ana, Paul, Arnie 

 Niche who came up with the whole dinner idea

Love you guys!

Great food, lovely place and awesome people. My Saturday night couldn't get any better than that. Time to sched that bonding session with your family and friends! :)

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