Not your usual ramen shop

PEOPLE seeking to satisfy their craving for Japanese ramen but not in the usual way may want to check out the newly opened Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo at the Japan Town of Top of the Glo in Glorietta 2, Makati.

Brought in by the same group behind Mitsuyado Sei-men: The House of Tsukemen — Infinity Foods Alliance — Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo is designed cafeteria-style to have more people experience authentic Japanese ramen and other cuisines on a regular basis.

While Mitsuyado Sei-men, which specializes in tsukemen (dipping noodle), is known for making good quality thick noodles, at Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo it is good quality thin noodles that are used.

Customers at Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo can choose their own ramen and pair it with their own preferred toppings.

According to Judy Kay C. Ang of Infinity Foods Alliance, the idea for the newly opened restaurant stemmed from the company’s desire to offer a fast-paced venue to satisfy the ramen cravings of Filipinos.

In doing so, they decided to bring the prices down to affordable levels, beginning at P180 per bowl, so more people can appreciate and enjoy Japanese ramen.

“Here in the Philippines, Japanese restaurants are doing well, and Japanese food is popular here. And we want more people to experience that with Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo,” said Ms. Ang in an interview with BusinessWorld during the opening of the restaurant on July 22.

“We decided to open here at Top of the Glo because it allows us to bring to a wider market what we offer. That is why we also adjusted the price points of our food,” she added.

Ms. Ang went on to say that Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo complements Mitsuyado Sei-men well as it gives customers another way to appreciate tsukemen.

The ramen offerings include Hakata Ramen, a pork-based broth that originated from the Hakata District of Fukuoka in Kyushu in southern Japan. They also have the white original Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen, Red Spicy Ramen (which makes use of the Japanese spice karashi), Black Garlic, and Green Matcha ramens.

Customers are encouraged to customize their ramens by selecting from a variety of Japanese toppings include charsiu, sukiyaki, ajitama, and boneless pork chop, among others.

If the diner wants something other than ramen, Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo also offers donburi (rice bowl) options. There are the Pork Cutlet Rice Bowl Don, Ebi Tempura Don, Chicken Karaage Don, Boneless Porkchop Don, and Gyoza to choose from.

After opening the Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo branch at Top of the Glo, Ms. Ang said that they are set to open another branch at Vertis North in Quezon City. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo