Whenever the family would crave for halo-halo, Razon's would always be the first thing on our mind.


For one reason, it was good enough. Another reason is that it has so many branches that one would be within your reach to answer your craving.

♥ Halo-Halo (100 php)

Personally, I am a huge fan of their very fine shaved ice.  But, as to their Halo-Halo as a whole? 
I sometimes feel like I'm cheated paying for an expensive price with so little toppings.  Some branches give more than the rest though.  However, it's not just quantity issue for me.  I also want more variety with my halo-halo.  To each his own I guess.  My best friend loves Razon's because she is a picky eater and the only ingredients she likes in a halo-halo are sweetened bananas, macapuno and leche flan and ironically, those are the only ones in a Razon's Halo-Halo.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Razon's of Guagua no doubt serve one of the best halo-halo in the Philippines.  But, is it the best for its price?  I don't think so.

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.