Last December 12, 2016, Ippudo's newest branch opened at Eastwood. It is already their fifth store in the Philippines since they first opened in 2014, yet people still line up for their Hakata-style ramen - and I can't blame them. Ippudo combines broth that's been cooked for 15 hours, noodles made fresh daily, and charsiu boiled and stewed for over two hours, which to me is like being wrapped in a warm hug that is truly comforting. It was honestly my first time at Ippudo and it surely won't be the last.
We walked from Gourmet Farms Express to Ippudo (both part of the stretch of restaurants along Eastwood Avenue) and arrived a few minutes before Ippudo opens at 11am. It didn't take long for the restaurant to be full though, with people lining up outside, waiting patiently for their turn for a delicious bowl of ramen.
I'm not sure how Ippudo's interiors look in other countries, but I thought the Eastwood branch was quite spacious in the sense that the walkways are huge, tables aren't too close to each other, and you don't overhear too much of other people's conversations. It features an open kitchen, bar seating, a wide table for eight and booths on the other end.
We were lucky to have been able to see Ippudo's Country Manager Yota Shiiba in action as he prepared two of their ramen creations. I mean, just imagine, #WorldFamousRamen served by a world class chef!
Arigatou gozaimasu, Chef!
Seafood Okonomiyaki (P295)
Japanese pancake stuffed with cabbage, chunks of squid, drizzled with shio dare sauce and Japanese mayo, and topped with shrimps
Akamaru Special (P495)
Ippudo's original tonkotsu broth enhanced with special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil served with thin noodles, pork belly slice, ajikikurage, salted soft-boiled egg, and seaweed
Kuro Ramen (P520)
Ippudo's signature tonkotsu broth, infused with spicy garlic and black pepper spices, ladled with thick noodles topped with shio tamago, nori, and a dab of Akamiso paste; served with torched chashu for a smoky barbecue flavor
I've never been one to follow trends or fads, but wow, that was some delicious ramen. I wouldn't mind lining up for Ippudo any day.
Ippudo is located at G/F 1880 Building,Eastwood Avenue, Libis, Quezon City.
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