Ramen Yushoken is one of the greatest ramen shops in Manila! Read on - we let you know what to order from their secret menu.
Yushoken - Not Messing Around
Yushoken is part of the Nippon Hasha ramen group. They don't mess around when it comes to ramen. The quality they put forth is as good as you'll find in Japan.
The group's other ramen brands include Mendokoro Ramenba and Marudori.
Ramen Yushoken has several branches in Manila, including in Oritgas. Let's dive in!
Secret Menu - Super Chashu Ramen
You won't find the Super Chashu Ramen on their regular menu. True to its name, there's a slab of grilled pork that's the size of a manhole cover. It's 150 grams of meat!
Hiding below is their signature tonkotsu-shoyu soup. The soy sauce carries a soup that's 100% pork bones. Specifically, they use pork thigh. It's as smooth-tasting as it looks. The mayu (garlic oil) drizzled on top adds grittiness and zing.
Shrimp Tonkotsu Ramen
This is another one from their secret menu. The same creamy pork bone soup is assisted by shrimp oil and squid powder. In short, it's a seafood heavy bowl.
The toppings include grilled crab, squid, shrimp, and scallops. In place of white negi (spring onions) and kikurage (wood ear mushrooms) is crunch bok choy.
Green Curry Tantanmen
First of all, tantanmen is a spicier type of ramen. In Yushoken's green curry tantanmen chili oil provides the heat. But there's a mellowness coming from sesame as well.
But the most fun element is green curry. It goes well with everything that's already there. Among toppings, the minced pork and crushed peanuts stand out.
In each of these three secret menu ramen, the noodles are thick. But they get even thicker below - one more ramen to review!
Thick Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen)
This tsukemen isn't from their secret menu..but it's a great meal! Generally, tsukemen soup and noodles are much thicker. That's the case in Yushoken's tsukemen too.
The sweetly flavored soup is still rich from pork. But there are influential notes of mackerel and bonito fish in the background.
It also comes with calamansi vinegar on the side. I grew up with calamasi and therefore love this. The refreshing acidity slices through the soup like a sharp sword.
Beyond Ramen
Furthermore, there's plenty of other authentic Japanese food to choose from at Yushoken. For example, the chahan (fried rice) and gyoza (fried dumplings) are big hits.
All of their branches are spacious and relaxing. The Ortigas branch interior is pictured below. When it comes to the Manila ramen scene, Ramen Yushoken is a must visit.
Ortigas Branch
Alabang Branch