This penchant for Japanese fare, particularly ramen, continues to grow, as evidenced by new restaurants opening in the city.

One of the newest players is Ramen Kagetsu Arashi at Paseo Center, Salcedo Village, Makati.

The small restaurant seats less than 40 people, but that’s no problem for its owners: Tao Corp., Globeat Japan and Arashi Foods Philippines Inc.

“We brought in this brand because we enjoy its food whenever we’re in Japan,” said Julio D. Sy Jr., chair of Arashi Foods. He described the restaurant as one of the fastest growing ramen chains with over 300 branches mainly in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.

Established in 1992, Ramen Kagetsu Arashi gained a reputation for its Garlic Tonkotsu. At the restaurant, this broth used for the ramen is made with pork marrow bones that have been simmered for hours. The resulting broth is meaty and full-flavored, while lots of garlic give it that extra kick.

Customers have the option of dialing up the pungency with the juice of freshly pressed garlic cloves.

The chain has 120 ramen varieties. There are plans to create variants that will cater to the Filipino taste.

“Unlike other places that serve ramen priced at close to P500 a bowl, ours is mid-priced, but the quality is good,” said Remigio V. Tan, president of Arashi Foods.

A bowl of its signature ramen is P295, although this can go as high as P365 if you prefer more slices of pork (chasu) on top.

We sampled its ramen (tasty and filling), chicken karaage (could be crispier), gyoza (nicely toasted) and pork tonkatsu (lightly breaded).

The real star of the show is obviously the ramen, which one can top with garlic and Japanese chives or flavor with a special powdered pepper from Fauchon.

There are no immediate plans to open branches, but co-owner Paolo Prieto said the group is looking at a space in Bonifacio Global City which may open by the fourth quarter.

“Our partners are very conservative; we’ll open if we like the location,” he said.