Ippudo: Tantanmen is Here to Stay!
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| Ippudo Uptown Mall branch |
A month ago, July 11, 2018, Ippudo brought back Tantanmen in their menu due to insistent public demand. And guess what? It is not a limited time offer. It is here to stay.
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| modern Japanese ambiance |
I can hardly imagine that this is just the second time I've been to Ippudo. The first was even 2 years ago during the launch of Gyokai Tonkotsu which was offered for a limited time. You can find my post here: http://www.patchesoflifebyjessa.com/2016/02/ippudo-gyokai-tonkotsu-pork-bun-and-more.html.
I remember that back then, I had the best ramen of my life, and it was a fantastic experience. So I also wonder why I wasn't able to visit Ippudo again since then.
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| black, red, white | a seat for two |
Fast forward to 2018 and I'm back at Ippudo, this time in their Uptown Mall BGC branch. It has a modern Japanese ambiance filled with red, black, and white from chairs and couches, to light fixtures, cabinets, and eye-catching series of soup spoons and bowls. And it is again a launch, or a re-launch since Tantanmen was already offered last year for a limited time.
Tantanmen (520Php)
Made with Ippudo's signature tonkotsu broth, infused with aromatic tantanmen oil, and served with thick wavy noodles. Topped with a generous serving of ground pork, torched chashu, cilantro, parmesan cheese, and onsen tamago for a rich finish
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| Tantanmen -- a closer look |
I patiently waited for my Tantanmen as each bowl is being prepared intricately and individually. I had no idea what to expect but just so you know, Tantanmen, whenever possible, is my default order in ramen places.
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| here's a top view | the thick wavy noodles |
Just looking at the bowl makes me go "wow!". It is like an art of its own with ground pork, torched chashu, red onion, grated parmesan, cilantro, onsen tamago, and tantanmen oil carefully placed on top of the broth. The excitement rises as I take a sip of the rich tonkotsu soup. The flavors burst in my mouth and releases a kind of spice that spikes. The next thing I know I was wiping my nose, and droplets of sweat are forming on my forehead. Whoah... what a ride! It was bordering my tolerance for spiciness but it's the kind that you would want another go.
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| each bowl is prepared individually |
The thick wavy noodles are not the usual noodle they have for the other ramen flavors. It has a bit of chewiness and I love how it combines with ground pork bits and cheese. The chashu, oh, the tender torched chashu is a nice addition that I would love to have 2 or 3 slices of it on my ramen.
Ippudo's Tantanmen comes in one variant only, meaning the spiciness level is fixed. Although the flavors are there, I prefer it to be a bit milder. Afterall, if the spiciness isn't enough for some, it is easier to increase the intensity with condiments than to reduce the zing.
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| torching the chashu | putting the other ingredients |
Ebi Tempura Roll (299Php)
Take a bite into a perfectly fried tempura shrimp roll made with nori and Japanese rice, drizzled with sweet unagi sauce and topped with spicy mayo and ebiko
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| Ebi Tempura Roll |
We had the Ebi Tempura Roll as one of the sides though it may not be a good choice to go with Tantanmen as it is also spicy. Nevertheless, I still love the crunchiness and the flavors brought by unagi sauce and mayo.
Okonomiyaki (270Php)
Classic Japanese okonomiyaki with an Ippudo twist. Japanese flour and chunks of chasyu with black konnyaku, okonomiyaki sauce, and Japanese mayonnaise
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| Okonomiyaki |
I so love Japanese food but Okonomiyaki is one of my not-so-favorite. But Ippudo's Okonomiyaki made me changed my mind as their version comes with thin pork belly and sweet sauce. I enjoyed it so much that it became an instant favorite! I'd gladly have this again as a side for my Tantanmen as its sweetness balanced the ramen's spiciness.
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| Mango Shake |
This was my second time at Ippudo, different branch, but still a great experience. No wonder they're tagged as "World Famous Ramen". I'll make sure to keep Ippudo in mind the next time I crave for ramen. Ippudo's Tantanmen is sure way to warm up on this cold rainy weather while enjoying a rich flavorful meal.
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| my bowl of Tantanmen |
Ippudo
Ground Floor, Uptown Place Mall, 36th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Disclaimer: I was invited as a blogger to feature this restaurant. I did not pay anything. Photos with my watermark are mine and shouldn't be used without my permission.
