Top 5 Ramens in Metro Manila (or My Ramen Love List)

Food recipes aside, here's a little walk in the (ramen) park for all you ramen lovers out there. Thank you, Japan (and China), for Ramen. 

Not a food critic, just a ramenthusiast (an avid new one!), so just walk through my two cents' worth and check out why these five ramens virtually stole my heart (through my stomach).

1. Nomama's Nomama Ramen

Nomama Ramen by Nomama

What I love about it: Oh, mama, Nomama. So much to love about this Pinoy-bred Japanese-inspired bowl of perfection. Its soup with its rich, distinct, couldn't-guess-what's-in-it taste. The fact that it's said to be made from scratch (read: organic ingredients). The firm ramen noodles. Every element in my bowl of Nomama ramen tasted fresh, harmoniously combined to please me (and my daughter, who asked for a second bowl-- a rarity!)

Price: PhP 350+ for the regular bowl.  
We visited Nomama's branch in Scout Tuazon corner Scout Castor QC. Nice service, nice clean ambience.  

Rating: 5/5

2. Kichitora's Special Paitan Ramen

Special Paitan Ramen by Kitchitora

What I love about it: the rich, flavorful, chicken-based broth. the tamagos (those soft-boiled-Japan-style eggs) that come free with the ramen (in some ramen places, you will have to pay extra for the tamagos). the whole concoction of spices and herbs mixed with a generous serving of pork.  best marriage of chicken+pork in a ramen.  

Price PhP 350+

Kichitora has a branch in Megamall Atrium. 

Check out its FB page: https://www.facebook.com/KichitoraPH?fref=nf 

Rating: 4.5/5 

3. Ikkoryu Fukuoka's Ajitama Tonkotsu

Ajitama Tonkotsu by Ikkoryu Fukuoka

What i love about it: the firm ramen noodles. the yummy, makes-you-forget-your-name pork broth. of all the pork-based ramens I've tried so far, Ajitama Tonkotsu is the best.  

Price: P350+

I tried the branch in Shang-rila Edsa Plaza. Check out the complete location in their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ikkoryu-Fukuoka-Ramen-5Flr-East-Wing-Shangri-la/118579824993525?fref=ts 

Rating: 4/5

TIE WITH:

4. Ukkokei Ramen Ron's Tantanmen Ramen

Miso Tantanmen Ramen by Ukkokei Ramen Ron

What i love about it: The really flavorful, spicy soup. Not a fan of spicy food, but this one merits an exception---really worth sweating for! The ground pork thrown in enhances the entire tantanmen experience.  

Price: PhP 400 
Visited the branch in Arnaiz Street, Makati. Kind of an old place, almost musty, with a menu that needs updating (their bestseller-- the Tantanmen--- is not even printed in the menu! Tried the soy-based chasyu ramen which enjoyed huge space in print-- instant ramen tasted better!). But regardless, their Tantanmen is a winner and for that I would be glad to drop by again. 


5. Ramen Santouka's Shio Ramen

Shio Ramen by Ramen Santouka

what i love about it: the general goodness of rich-broth ramen. i've been hearing a lot of raves about ramen santouka, but when i sampled their shio ramen in Greenhills, i realized my expectations were too high. in my case, the pork broth tasted like the pork that was used was no longer fresh (or maybe the meat came from a mature pig). nonetheless, shio ramen is worth a second try for me. i will sample shio ramen from other branches. 

Price: PhP 350+

I can't highly recommend the Greenhills branch-- the place was packed and the broth that was served in our ramen wasn't top-grade. Check other branches in their fb site-- https://www.facebook.com/RamenSantoukaPH

Honorable Mention:
North Park's Ultimate Noodles

Ultimate Noodles by North Park

Okay, so it's not Ramen. But it has broth and noodles, so I included it in my Ramen Love List 

What i love about it: the value for money! the huge serving with a wide variety of ingredients-- fried pork, dimsum, chicken, mushroom, veggies, beef. a complete meal, actually. and the noodles---! it was just just right. tight. heavenly. but i don't know if that's just me! there was actually a point in my life when i would order this for 2 or 3 consecutive days. loved it THAT much! 

Price: PhP 270 (good for 3-4 persons)

I liked their branch in Trinoma. But there are many North Park branches you can check in their FB account https://www.facebook.com/northparkgreatnoodles?fref=ts

Will soon visit:

Hanamaruken -  I have tried this once, not very impressed. Worthy of a second chance, though. 

Ramen Nagi -  Recommended by friends and netizens. But its branches are far down south--the only reason why I haven't tried it yet. 
Go-en Ramen - new, but at least one ramen guru has made mention of this before. Plus a couple of friends have been raving about it. Added bonus--it's near our work place!
Daisho Ramen - Shaw Boulevard isn't all that far. Will definitely drop by sometime. 

How about you? Share your favorite ramen with us!