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These 8 under-the-radar, budget-friendly ramen spots are guaranteed to surprise you

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RHIA GRANA

<p>Since it exploded in Manila in the early 2010s, the Japanese ramen has become a favorite comfort food for many Filipinos. One only needs to check out the number of ramen restaurants all over the country to figure that out. </p><p>Husband and wife Ronald and Katz Kwok, both self-confessed ramen fans, go to great lengths to try out the new, the popular, and the obscure ramen places around town. And among the ramen varieties, they’ve observed that tonkotsu is the standard ramen of choice for many local diners. It’s a safe choice, they say. One can’t go wrong with its flavorful, milky soup, which typically comes with melt-in-your mouth fatty slices of roasted or braised pork or chashu.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Ronald and Katz Kwok" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/kwok.jpg"/><figcaption>Ronald and Katz Kwok in Okinawa, Japan</figcaption></figure></div><p>But the Kwoks, always on the hunt for the best ramen joints—both in the Philippines and in Japan—say we’re missing out a lot by sticking to our default choices of ramen, or ramen spot. The couple suggests trying out unique and unpopular ramen variants, as well as under-the-radar ramen establishments. </p><p>Ronald, who used to write a lot of food reviews for the now defunct Looloo app, got in touch with us after reading our recent <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/01/23/22/ramen-guide-manilas-gourmets-reveal-their-favorites">list of favorite ramen places.</a> How about putting the spotlight on the lesser-known joints, he said, but which serve ramen that are just as good, if not better than the popular ones, and with friendlier prices? “I want them to earn and keep their places alive so we can enjoy them longer,” he said. </p><p>How can we not agree? And so below, the Kwoks generously share with us their personal tried-and-tested list of under the-radar ramen recommendations.</p><div> </div><h3>Tongara Ramen</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> Lamp Quarters, Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue Centro De Buenviaje Sto. Nino, Marikina</p><p><em>Call: </em>0917-1794718 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" href="https://www.facebook.com/tongararamenphilippines/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/tongararamenphilippines/</a></p><p><em>What’s to love:</em> What this ten-seater joint serves is not your usual tonkotsu, says Ronald. “Their broth is a mixture of pork, fish, and chicken. So when you taste the ramen, there’s a deeper flavor to it.”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tongara" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/2tongara.jpg"/><figcaption>Tongara is located in Marikina&#x27;s themed food park called Lamp Quarters</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tongara" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/1tongara.jpg"/><figcaption>The restaurant seats about 10 people.</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tongara" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/4tongara-ebimiso.jpg"/><figcaption>Tongara&#x27;s Ebi Miso Ramen (P260)</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tongara" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/5tongara-pacoramen.jpg"/><figcaption>Tongara&#x27;s Paco Ramen (P495)</figcaption></figure></div><h3>Oyasumi Ramen</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> Unit 3, 308 P. Guevarra St, corner Sea View, San Juan</p><p><em>Call: </em>09757934237 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" href="https://www.facebook.com/OyasumiRamen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/OyasumiRamen</a></p><p><em>What’s to love:</em> It’s the La Paz ramen (P370) that stands out in the Oyasumi menu, says Ronald, who’s ordered this variant one too many times. As the name suggests, it’s a fusion of the regular tonkotsu ramen and Iloilo’s famous La Paz <em>batchoy</em>. What makes all the difference, says the ramen fan, is the presence of liver which makes the soup richer and tastier. “Best eaten with more <em>chicharon</em> bits,” he adds.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Oyasumi Ramen" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/lapaz.jpg"/><figcaption>Oyasumi Ramen&#x27;s La Paz. Photo from Oyasumi&#x27;s Facebook page</figcaption></figure></div><div> </div><h3>Ramen Wave</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> 999, 1807 J. P. Rizal St, Marikina City</p><p><em>Call: </em>09164179021 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" href="https://www.facebook.com/ramenwave" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ramenwave</a></p><p><em>What’s to love:</em> This hole-in-the-wall dining spot offers only two kinds of ramen—tonkotsu (P320) and tantanmen (P380). Katz, who runs the microblog site @kklifestyleph on <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4" href="https://www.instagram.com/kklifestyleph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5" href="https://www.facebook.com/kklifestyleph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook </a>and <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="6" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kklifestyleph?lang=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a>, highly recommends the tantanmen to those who want their ramen super spicy. “There’s something different about their broth. For us, it’s comparable to Mendokoro. Ganun kalasa ang broth niya,” says Katz. “Normally, I don’t get to finish all the soup in my ramen because it’s rich, oily and sinful. But with this ramen, I finished the broth up to the last drop,” adds Ronald.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Ramen Wave toktotsu ramen" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/rw-tonkotsu.jpg"/><figcaption>Ramen Wave&#x27;s tonkotsu ramen</figcaption></figure></div><div> </div><h3>Tsuke-men at The Grid</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> R2 Level, Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City</p><p><em>What’s to love:</em> Ronald is a huge fan of its soup-less ramen or the Yuzu Abura Soba (P350), which is shoyu-based stir-fry noodles that’s topped with chashu, negi, aji tamago, nori and lime. “Typically, you get the flavor from the broth. But with this one, the noodles are already very flavorful such that you don’t even need the soup,” he says. This ramen is a welcome choice for hot days.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tsuke-Men" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/1tsukemen-aburaramen.jpg"/><figcaption>Tsuke-men&#x27;s Yuzu Abura Soba</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Tsuke-Men" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/2tsukemen-gyokaitsukemen.jpg"/><figcaption>Tsuke-men&#x27;s Gyokai Tsukemen (P390)</figcaption></figure></div></div><div class="embed-wrap"> </div><h3>Surugin Ramen House</h3><p><em>Where it is: </em>Sulsugin, Alfonso</p><p><em>Call:</em> 0956-5617845 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="7" href="https://www.facebook.com/suruginramenhouse/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/suruginramenhouse/</a></p><p><em>What’s to love: </em>Location is really what makes this Cavite ramen shop special. It just heightens the overall ramen experience, say the Kwoks. “It’s the closest in ambiance to the old rustic ramen shops in Fukuoka,” says Ronald. The restaurant, built mostly of wood, seats about 15 to 20 people and is located in the middle of a pristine garden. Another plus: the shop benefits from the cold Tagaytay breeze. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Surugin Ramen House" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/1surugin.jpg"/><figcaption>Surugin Ramen House is located in the middle of a pristine garden in Alfonso, Cavite.</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Surugin Ramen House" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/2surugin.jpg"/><figcaption>Surugin Ramen House</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Surugin Rame House" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/3surugin.jpg"/><figcaption>Surugin Ramen House&#x27;s menu</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Surugin Ramen House" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/4surugin.jpg"/><figcaption>Surugin Ramen House&#x27;s Hakata ramen (P190)</figcaption></figure></div><h3> </h3><h3>Agara Ramen</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> Engineer’s Hill, G/F Rancho Guillermo Building, North Dr, Baguio, 2600 Benguet</p><p><em>Call:</em> 0945-1039857 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="8" href="https://www.facebook.com/AgaraRamen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/AgaraRamen</a></p><p><em>What’s to love: </em>This is another hole-in-the-wall spot worth the long drive. The place showcases theater-style cooking, so you’ll get to see your ramen being prepared right in front of you. The Kwoks tried the tsukemen, which is cold ramen noodles served with a separate bowl of flavorful broth for dipping. The restaurant seats about 8 to 10 people at a time.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Agara Chuka Soba" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/agara-soba.jpg"/><figcaption>Agara Ramen&#x27;s Chuka Soba (P320)</figcaption></figure></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Agara Ramen Tsukemen" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/agara-tsukemen.jpg"/><figcaption>Agara Ramen&#x27;s Tsukemen (P350)</figcaption></figure></div><h3> </h3><h3>Ohayo Maki and Ramen Bar</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> 30 Granada Avenue, Villa Ortigas II, Brgy. Valencia, Quezon City</p><p><em>Call:</em> 282809657 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="9" href="https://www.facebook.com/ohayomakiandramenbar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ohayomakiandramenbar</a></p><p><em>What’s to love: </em>Their unique offering is the beef and tendon ramen. “They made the classic beef and tendon pares into a ramen broth that won’t kill you with the salt,” says Ronald. He adds that the beef and tendon are so soft and juicy they literally melt in your mouth.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Ohayo" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/ohayo.jpg"/><figcaption>Ohayo&#x27;s beef and tendon ramen (P410). Photo from Ohayo&#x27;s Facebook page</figcaption></figure></div><div> </div><h3>Shinjuku Home of Authentic Ramen</h3><p><em>Where it is:</em> Little Tokyo, 2277 Chino Roces Ave, Pasong Tamo Corner Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City; ETON Square Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan</p><p><em>Call: </em>Makati branch (02) 935-9434; 0995-4263307; 0968-6035395 or visit <a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="10" href="https://www.facebook.com/shinjukuramenhouse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/shinjukuramenhouse</a>; San Juan branch (02) 84054832 or visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shinjukugreenhills/">https://www.facebook.com/shinjukugreenhills/</a></p><p><em>What’s to love:</em> One of the original ramen shops in the country, this ramen joint got famous for their manten (P410), which is ramen with a thick savory soup brimming with a variety of seafoods and vegetables.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Shinjuku " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/01/shinjuku.jpg"/><figcaption>Shinjuku&#x27;s manten ramen</figcaption></figure></div><div><em>[Photos courtesy of Ronald and Katz Kwok]</em></div>