I have observed that most people let life's routine consume most of their time and energy.  Yet, there are others, like my family, who seem to have an endless flow of energy and enthusiasm towards food discoveries and making more out of life.   While I belong to the former, I occasionally allow myself to be dragged along for family bonding's sake.  This time, we drove all the way to the south just to have some ramen at Sigekiya.

It is located at the Commercial Center.  I haven't revisited that place for six years so I was surprised that it was totally different from what I remembered.  It had a couple of stores and restaurants but not much people.




I've read from blogs that Sigekiya originated from Yokohoma Japan and was established in 2010.  I wonder why they don't state such in its signage though.




Food

Side Dish

Gyoza 5 pcs. (130 php)

Chicken Karaage (180 php)

Okonomiyaki (150 php)

Tsukemen

Tsukemen with Japanese Curry Regular (370 php)

Ramen

♥ Sigekiya Ramen Regular (360 php)

♥ Sigekiya Ramen Regular (360 php)

Miso Ramen Regular (360 php)

Complimentary Frozen Jellies

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm so glad I get to try Sigekiya.  Even with our 4-hour travel, I felt it was worth the try.  (Well, maybe because I wasn't the one driving! =)

One important lesson my mom has always impart on us is the respect to the elders.  There is always ranking when it comes to age.  So when her eldest brother or my Twa Koo told us to try the Ramen Yushoken, mom said we will.  I guess Twa Koo really liked Ramen Yushoken because after he had a meal there with his golf buddies, he brought home their menu place mat for us to see.  

According to the place mat, Ramen Yushoken's ramen is derived from "Ramen God" Kazuo Yamagishi, who in his 80's, still manages to his Taishoken ramen shop in Tokyo.  He is also the inventor of the tsukemen or dipping ramen.  His successor known as the "son of ramen god", Koji Tashiro, came to train Ramen Yushoken's staff in December 2012.  Ramen champion Hideo Aoyama, known to be have a "golden tongue" with the ability to adapt to any of the 22 known styles in Japan regularly visit Yushoken. 

During the non-working holiday for Barangay election, we took the chance to drive all the way from Manila to Molito Alabang just to try it.  We arrived at around 6 pm.  We were quite happy because we got to park just in front of it.  And, we saw an empty table through the glass window. 

As we entered, I saw them making the gyoza.  So my mind automatically listed that as a must order. 

The staffs explained that we couldn't fit on the table so two of us had to seat on the ramen bar.  We asked why couldn't we just add an extra chair and they reasoned that the other table might not have a wide enough easement to go out.  But, after insisting they allowed it.  We were so excited to dine that we didn't realize who was wearing yellow on the next table.  Oops! That explained everything, I guess.  >.< 

Food
A quote from a movie called "Ramen Girl": "A bowl of ramen is a self-contained universe with life from the sea, the mountains, and the earth. All existing in perfect harmony. Harmony is essential. What holds it all together is the broth. The broth gives life to the ramen."

Tonkotsu Ramen

♥ Shio (320 php)

Mom ordered the Shio which is salt-based to appreciate the basic broth.  Since we went all the way, we ordered all kinds of their Tonkotsu Ramen to try and compare.  Every one agreed that this was the least favorite among the selections.  The texture of the noodles is the best I've tried so far. 

♥ Shoyu (350 php)

The Shoyu which is soy-based won all our vote.  We love the flavorful broth.  It's so good we ordered another one of this.

Tantan-men (380 php)

I ordered the Tantan-men.  The spiciness is just enough to tickle my taste buds.  But, my siblings apparently felt it was too spicy after one spoonful.  The blend of spiciness, nuttiness and meaty flavor makes this a great tantan-men but I still prefer Ukkokei's. 

♥ Miso (380 php)

This is the best Miso I have ever had.  What makes this so special is that they blend 7 different kinds of miso to concoct this masterpiece.  It's not the ordinary sweet miso. 

Tsukemen

♥ Tonkotsu (390 php)

I have to be honest here. None of us are fond of Tsukemen.   But since we wanted to try it out, we ordered just one.  After we found out that the half Aji Tamago (egg) as part of the Tokusei is not available, we settled for the Tonkotsu.  It offers a bolder yet smoother taste than the ramen which we all loved. 


I just had to note that the convenience that their spoon is offering is cool. =D 

Side Dishes/Extras

♥ Gyoza (150 php)

I was totally blow away with a bite of their Gyoza.  The shells are lightly moist and not soggy at all.  And, yet look at how thin and beautifully molded they are.

♥ Gyoza (150 php)

One side is evenly fried to be crisp and dry. 

♥ Gyoza (150 php)

Each Gyoza was plump and juicy!  So far this is the best among the rest I've tried. 

♥ Karaage (210 php)

Crunchy skin plus succulent chicken meat equals a superb Karaage! 

♥ Chahan (220 php)

I rarely rave over Chahan or mixed fried rice.  But, their Chahan deserves it.  So although the ramen gets the highlight, reserve some space for this.

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)
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ramen Yushoken offers the best ramen in the country yet!  Its ramen is worth going all the way to Alabang and maybe even further because the other dishes are also exemplary.  I'm so glad the hype and tales about it was true. =D  Better go early because by the time we were finished, there was a long waiting line.

I've noticed that most Japanese noodles places here in the Metro specialize on ramen.  I have to admit, before trying out Mitsuyado Sei-Men, I've always preferred ramen over tsukemen.  But, this authentic house of Tsukemen franchised from Japan has definitely turned the tables around. 


Mitsuyado Sei-Men and its sister company Yamato Bakery Cafe is located along Jupiter Street in Makati. According to the menu, Mitsuyado means the 3 arrows (product, service and situation) which they believe that will make their brand strong and long-lasting.  While, Sei-Men means noodle-making.


Taking a step into Mitsuyado Sei-Men feels like being transported into the time when Samurai and Ninjas roamed the streets of Japan.  There's no better place to enjoy your Japanese noodles and drinks than being immersed in the atmosphere of gleeful chatter, rustic stores, noodle carts, wooden tables, Japanese lanterns and cobble stoned floors.


I'm quite eager to eat at the noodle cart but it was already occupied upon our arrival.  For private dining, Mitsuyado Sei-Men also has two function rooms. 


As their name implies, Mitsuyado Sei-Men makes their own noodles from premium Japanese flour  imported from Japan.  Their noodle making place is clean like their open kitchen.  They're so proud of it, you can peak through its window glass from the parking area.



The kitchen was really busy as the place was packed and turn over was fast.

Food

Tsukemen
Since this is the house of Tsukemen after all, I'm excited to start with Tsukemen.  Tsukemen or dipping noodles is usually served with dipping sauce and toppings on the side.  The noodles are usually thicker than the ones used for ramen but not as thick as the Udon noodles. 

♥ Double Cheese Tsukemen Large (380 php)

The Double Cheese Tsukemen is a plateful of noodles topped with parmesan cheese, creamy cheese sauce and Yuzu dipping sauce.  To enjoy the Double Cheese Tsukemen, top it with the rich creamy cheesy sauce and dip it in the Yuzu sauce.  The blending of textures and flavors are sure to transcend beyond your gastronomic expectations.  

 

Marutoku Tsukemen Large (380 php)

The Marutoku Tsukemen has the same Yuzu dipping sauce but with more toppings: Nori (seaweed), Aji-tama (egg), Char-siu (pork slices) and vegetables.

Ramen

Spicy Miso Ramen Large (320 php)

The Spicy Miso Ramen is a bowlful of rich red miso soup topped with sweet corn, creamy butter, crunchy vegetable and chewy noodles.  Though dominantly hot and spicy, the other components add a delightful twist to it.

♥ Tan Tan Ramen Large (320 php)

The Tan Tan Ramen had a slightly spicy rich pork and miso based with roasted sesame broth topped with ground pork and Chinese cabbage.  This version quite different from my favorite Tan Tan Ramen from Ukkokei because it is quite bold on the roasted sesame flavor making it fragrant and pleasurable to eat.   

♥ Char-siu Ramen Large (400 php)

The Char-siu Ramen is your classic rich miso and pork based ramen with nori, fish cake, bamboo shoots,negi (green onions) and tender pork slices.  The broth is rich and savory that you're sure to devour in this manly and meaty meal.

Ikasumi Ramen Large (390 php)

The Ikasumi Ramen is a squid ink broth topped with char-siu, squid, aji-tama, raddish, pickled red ginger and negi.  The squid ink contributes a mildly sweet, clean andrefreshing flavor to its broth.  I'd also like to point out that their aji-tama (egg) is consistently cooked perfectly.  Although I prefer the Ikasumi Ae-soba over this, this is still worth a try. 

♥ Hakata Ramen Large

Based on an episode in NHK channel, there are hundred of ramen varieties in Japan.  Some ramens are named after their birth places and one of them is the Hakata Ramen.  The Hakata Ramen from the Hakata district in Fukuoka City is well known for its distinct hard and ultra thin ramen noodles, rich tonkatsu broth made from thick and strong pork bones and toppings.  This ramen is so popular that is is considered as one of the top three ramen styles in Japan.  The other two are Tokyo and Sapporo.  Now, I've not tasted the authentic one from Japan but I can safely declare that this is the best ramen I've tried at Mitsuyado Sei-Men.  The toppings they used are those that are usual for a Hakata ramen too.  These are char-siu, kikurage (wooden-ear mushroom), aji-tama, negi and pickled red ginger.


Ae-Soba
The Ae-soba is dry noodles with sauce.  According to them, this is their westernized noodles.  It kind of reminds me of pasta. 

♥ Ikasumi Ae-soba Large (390 php)

The Ikasumi Ae-soba is a must try!  It has a thick and rich squid ink sauce topped with squid bits and tomatoes.  I love the way the bold sweet taste of the sauce lingers in my mouth.  The taste is surprisingly clean and not fishy at all.  But, I do sense a slight metallic taste which is negligible.

Seafood Ae-soba Large

The Seafood Ae-soba is a light and mellow meal choice if like it mildy sweet and citrusy.  

Side Orders

Spicy Chicken Skin

This is the perfect side order to complement a bottle of their Japanese beer. 

♥ Gyoza (180 php)

Their Gyoza is wonderfully crunchy on the outside and juicy porkylicious on the inside.  It is definitely on the best I've tried. 

Ebi Tempura (280 php)

The Ebi Tempura is good but not the highlight of the place.  


Desserts
I'm a huge fan of Japanese desserts so boy was I excited to see this tray arrive.

Strawberry Kakigori (90 php), ♥Sumiyaki Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream (90 php),                     Cream Anmitsu (150 php) and ♥Hawaiian Blue Kakigori (90 php)

The kakigori is the Japanese version of snow cone.  The Strawberry Kakigori is shaved ice topped with strawberry and vanilla ice cream.  While the Hawaiian Blue Kakigori is shaved ice with fruity punch syrup.  The Sumiyaki Coffee Jelly with Ice Cream is a light coffee jelly topped with vanilla ice cream.  While, the Cream Anmitsu is fruits with red bean, kanten (jelly), vanilla ice cream and Kuromitsu sauce (Japanese brown sugar syrup).  Every selection is delicious!  But, since I'm a child at heart, I enjoyed the kakigori the most.


Drinks

Hitachino Nest White Ale (300 php)

According to my friends, the Hitachino Nest White Ale is smooth and sweet unlike any other drink so it's worth the try.

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
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
Ukkokei Ramen Ron
Wrong Ramen

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Mitsuyado Sei-Men has exceeded my expectations in terms of food, ambiance and pricing.  I highly recommend this place for an unfogttable dinning experience. I'd love to come back and eat here again.


Update (August 10, 2013): Some of the items here are wiped out of the menu like the Ikasumi Ae-soba but they added new ones too.