Remember when I shared that Ramen Yushoken is the best ramen in town?  So imagine our joy when we heard that it is open under Mendokoro Ramenba in Salcedo Village Makati.


It is just beside La Creperie which we've tried before.

Upon arrival, we made our order.


Upon paying, we were issued our order slips with a queue number.  When our turn came, we were asked if it was okay if we seat apart.  Eventually, we managed to seat together. 


Total seating capacity is limited to 25.   A pitcher of water, condiments and paper napkin can be found by the table.


The servers are at the center and they are attentive enough to refill some water.


While waiting for our order, I observed how they prepared the ramen.  This guy is cooking the chashu.


The noodles are placed on the bowl see?

... and then the shoyu sauce is added. 

Food

♥ Shio (360 php)

The Shio broth is exactly the same as in Yushoken.  The chashu is a bit fatter than the cut in Yushoken.

♥ Shoyu (390 php)

We usually go for Shio on most ramen shops but at Yushoken and Mendokoro, the Shoyu is really the better one.

♥ Garlic Miso Ramen (440 php)

Not on the menu is the Garlic Miso Ramen which is available only here so it's the first time for us.  It's really good!



Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant 
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩  
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kenji Tei Ramen House
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Tampopo たんぽぽ Philippines
Takashi Japanese Cuisine
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm so happy that I can conveniently visit Mendokoro Ramenba and reliving the Yushoken bliss as much as I want.  This is still the best ramen for me.

After trying out Breakout, all my cousins, siblings and I were so hungry.  The puzzles were fun and challenging so it drained us mentally and physically.  Since we're all from the South, the Kapitolyo area was out of our bounds for family get togethers, so everyone was excited!  My cousin suggested that we try his friend's restaurant called Takashi in Pioneer Center. 

With no time to argue, we all agreed.  We convoyed to the establishment.  The Pioneer Center has a big parking space and it's free too!  My cousin's friend was there to welcome us.  The chef Takashi was also introduced to us so we all had high hopes for a wonderful authentic Japanese meal. 

I think the place can house around 30 persons.  Our group of 18 had to be divided into  two long tables. 

Food
My cousin ordered the appetizers and mains which we shared.  Then, we all had our own Ramen bowl.

Appetizers (Maki Rolls)

Crazy Maki Sushi (160 php)

The family is a big fan of maki.  We ordered the Crazy Maki Sushi which was visually appealing.  It is calfironia topping topped with kani salad-crabstick with Japanese mayonnaise and roe.

Devil's Roll (240 php)

The Devil's Roll is more to my liking.  It had breaded shrimp, lettuce, salmon, Japanese mayonnaise and spicy red sauce. 

♥ Salmon Teriyaki Maki Sushi (240 php)

The Salmon Teriyaki Maki Sushi is my favorite among the appetizers.  

Salmon Sashimi (250 php)

The Salmon Sashimi was just okay.  You can already judge it by the way it looks so no need for elaboration. 

Spicy Salmon Sashimi (220 php)

The Spicy Salmon Sashimi is cheaper than the Salmon Sashimi.  Perhaps, since it is chopped, it is less in serving size.  I did not find it to be spicy so this was dull for me.  

Mains

♥ Ebi Tempura 5 pcs. (280 php)

The Ebi Tempura is well-executed.  My little sister was delighted with this.


Donburi

Oyakodon (190 php)

The Oyakodon seems to be over seasoned -sweet and salty for our taste.  

Ramen

Tonkotsu Shoyu (280 php)

The Tonkotsu Shoyu failed to reach my standard.  Something just seemed off.  I just couldn't pinpoint what it was lacking.  I didn't like their noodles too.  

♥ Hokkaido Miso Ramen (280 php)

The Hokkaido Miso Ramen is their best ramen based on all our feedback.  They got it right with this one.  

Spicy Karaage Ramen (280 php)

The Spicy Karaage Ramen was better than the Tonkotsu Shoyu but I wouldn't pick this as long as the Hokkaido Miso Ramen is available.  The Spicy Karaage  is great for spicy lovers like me.  But, I found this difficult to finish.

Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant 
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩  
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kenji Tei Ramen House
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Tampopo たんぽぽ Philippines
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Takashi's ramen is affordable   If craving for ramen in the area, I would definitely choose this over Ramen Cool.  I'll only order the Hokkaido Miso Ramen again.  You can't go wrong with ordering the makis for sharing too. 

Ramen Daisho has been repeatedly mentioned as one of the best Ramen houses by Japanese ramen consultants and influential food bloggers so we just had to try it out for ourselves.  Daisho means big and fly high.


According to other posts, the owners of Ramen Daisho bought the same ramen recipe used in Ukkokei Ramen Ron which so happens to be one of the first ramen houses I reviewed in this blog and my favorite too.  So, no doubt I just couldn't help but compare or use Ukkokei as a referrence. 

For the ambiance, Ramen Daisho and Ukkokei Ramen Ron as so far apart.  The former is so bright, modern and spacious.  While the latter is traditional, dark and a bit eerie.


On the table is an origami for the chopstick holder.  It can keep you pre-occupied while waiting for your order.


It transforms into this.


Both Ramen Daisho and Ukkokei has a paper place mat.  But, as you can see the former has informative cartoon pictures, comic strips and English texts.  While, the latter has an image of an old man and Japanese texts.

Ramen Daisho's menu is more informative as it describes the broth and the kind of noodles used.  I noticed that there's an error in the description of the Shio Chasyu Ramen.  That description is meant to be for the Hakata Ramen. =p  It also offers ramen in two serving sizes: Regular and Large. The Regular is priced near that of Ukkokei's.  Ukkokei's menu has a clearer product image so you can see the size and the toppings well.  But, there are no descriptions.

Food

Ramen
The two are also different in terms of ramen variety.  Ramen Daisho has Shio, Shoyu, Miso and Hakata.  While Ukkokei has Shio, Shoyu and Miso with a twist of the butter corn for each kind and their limited Tantanmen.  Ramen Daisho uses different kinds of noodles while Ukkokei uses only one type.

The toppings of their ramen is different as well.  Ramen Daisho serves their ramen with a runny ajitsuke tamago (egg), nori (seaweed), menma (bamboo shoots), green onions and fried onions.  While Ukkokei's ramen toppings vary depending on the type of ramen.  The default rameen toppings is menma (bamboo shoots), green onions and  bean sprouts.

For the Chashu, Ramen Daisho makes use of the pork shoulder part which is thin, lean and meaty.  While Ukkokei makes use of the pork belly part which is marbled with fat.
 

Shoyu Ramen Regular (300 php)

The Shoyu Ramen is soy based.  The taste of the broth is similar to that of Ukkokei so its hardly distinguishable. 

♥ Shoyu Chasyu Ramen Regular (380 php)

The Shoyu Chasyu Ramen has an addition of two more Chashu so its 80 php more expensive.  With this option, I really wonder why there is an extra topping of Chashu available for 120 php. 

 

♥ Shio Chasyu Ramen Regular (380 php)

Mom really loved her Shio Chasyu Ramen.  The flavor of the salt-based broth is mild and soothing.  Its slightly lighter and less oily than Ukkokei's.
 

♥ Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Regular (300 php)

The Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen is not offered in Ukkokei so I was eager to try it.  You can just from the looks of the broth that it is milky white as proof of the tastiness it acquired from long hour of cooking pork fat and bones.  I loved how flavorful it and it would have been the best one I've tried yet if only it wasn't a bit salty. 


Side Menu

Gyoza (110 php/5 pcs)

Aside from ramen, the family has also grown fond of searching for the best gyoza.  Price-wise, they are one of the cheapest.  But how about the taste?

Gyoza (110 php/5 pcs)

We loved their juicy, meaty and ginger-y Gyoza!  This is one of the best we've tried.

Tsinoy Foodies Other Ramen House/Shop Reviews
Akira Restaurant
Curry Bee Japanese Curry Shop
Hanamaruken Ramen 花丸轩  
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen
Kitchitora 1 | Kitchitora 2
Kokoro Ramenya
Menya Genki Tonkotsu Ramen
Miso-Ten
Mitsuyado Sei-Men
Moshi Koshi 1 | Moshi Koshi 2
Rai-Rai Ken Ramen House
Ramen Bar
Ramen Cool
Ramen Ichiban-Kan
Ramen Nagi
Ramen Sora 
Ramen X (Closed)
Ramen Yushoken
Tampopo たんぽぽ Philippines
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ramen Daisho is definitely worthy of being one of the top best ramen houses in the Metro!  Surely, this should be included in every ramen lovers list.  I'd love to come back and try their Miso Ramen next.  In referrence to Ukkokei Ramen Ron, I think it offers a different dining experience in its own.