The little ramen cup we used to buy from convenience stores and supermarkets in years past has come a long way. Today, ramen continues to reap success after success, with Pinoy noodle lovers queuing up for it.
But ramen is not simply noodles. In Japan where it originated, some refer to it as soup. And soup it is—with a difference.
While the dish is said to date back centuries, ramen was concocted by a Japanese gentleman from Hokkaido, Hitoshi Tanaka, who was dissatisfied with the soup he had in 1988. He resolved to produce a more flavorful soup by adopting the technique of controlling the heat temperature, thus preventing the broth from going to a full boil, limiting it to simmering.
We’re familiar with this system through our traditional slow low-fire cooking. The unique taste of ramen soup is created by the ingenious use of pork bones and the addition of traditional Japanese seasoning elements—kelp (dried seaweed) and dashi (dried bonito fish flakes).
Tanaka soon opened an outlet and the rest is history as his ramen, born in Hokkaido, became a chain. A bowl of this steaming hot dish can pass for a full meal, considering the thick soup comes with substantial toppings that can include pork char siu, chicken or salmon, enhanced with pickled plums and vegetables.
Santouka, Hokkaido Ramen
G/F, Ayala Malls Solenad, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa
Santouka landed 8th in a recent survey of best ramen restaurants.
Dining area—Spacious, done in black. Tables are set for six with enough space for easy movement.
Service—Not as quick as expected, perhaps because at lunchtime the place was full.
Staff—Gracious and quick
Suggested orders—This will have to be the steaming bowl of ramen noodles. Choose your favorite main topping—pork, salmon or chicken.
We went for the salmon, the thick slices of the fish swimming in flavorful broth with pickled plum. The noodle was served separately in a flat dish, so the diner can put it in the soup in small portions.
The choices come in different flavors—salty, soy sauce, soy bean paste and spicy. Need more? Try the side dishes—ebi (shrimp), tori karaage (fried chicken), black pork dumpling.
For dessert and coffee, hop over to another outlet and have a Korean halo-halo, the bing su.
Service and government charges are added to the bill. Senior cards are honored.
