Food, like a loving touch has the ability to comfort which Ramen Santouka have when one start to sip their bowl of goodness.
Our meeting was prolong then while exchanging those I.T. ideas. Still, we were bit starving and when we checked the time, it was already past lunch. What we did was to head to Ramen Santouka for an early merienda at Glorietta area.
Sipping in a hot miso ramen is a comfort food on its own w/ bamboo shoots and slice yet soft meat – a blissful reward after day’s work. As I remember it right, we sipped directly to our bowl just to feel how heavenly taste those milky broth was.
There was a regret feeling as I did not have a chance to share my food experience here in my blog. Anyway, it is just ok because if that happens, friends will be bit harsh to me if I will take those pictures before we eat considering we were all hungry at that time.
Anyway,when I was invited to go back again with fellow foodies, I did not have those second thought to eat out. This time, we will be trying their new offerings and lunch set menu.
I know, I am still in my diet for the past two months now. Knowing Ramen as one of those carbs – still there are broth, little of pork and veggies I can still combine while eating. Again, portion control and immerse more on the taste are the key to enjoy the food.
We were accommodated in one of their private function rooms which has a touch of class in a wooden interior which captures an earth ambiance.
While waiting for others to come, we were served a refreshing Ice Tea Shake which is not too sweet and flavoring is more on the tea side.
So much with the surprise, I got excited with the two veggie noodle salad that were first serve to us – Yasai Hiyashi Ramen and Kaisen Yasai Hiyashi Ramen.
I think they read my mind that I am into diet. LOL!
It is a salad where in between is the cold noodle which has a combination of assorted fresh veggies like romaine lettuce, sliced cucumber garnish with halves of cherry tomatoes around. For the dressing, quite invisible as the sesame sauce flavor was already bound together with the salad.
Difference with the other salad noodle served is adding some seafood like shrimps on the side.
I like the freshness and crispiness of the veggies used while the noodles were not overcooked. The sesame sauce compliments the whole symphony taste. Hoping they will use more bigger or dipper bowl to mix the salad well.
Hokkaido Tsukemen is a cold ramen noodle that separates the broth once it is serve. For eating, one has to dip the cold noodle first to the hot broth and then eat it.
Hokkaido Tsukemen – Cold Noodle w/ hot dipping sauce (miso flavor)
This menu is best when one is not craving for hot broth and just enjoying the distinct flavor of ramen and the freshness of the salmon.
At first, it was hard to get those noodles with the chopstick. My take – maybe they can put a little oil to the noodles just to loosen it up.
Now we go with the Ramen.
The best ramen always go with the broth or the soup based. I vividly remembered my late grandma in cooking home soup was taking time to get the fresh pork bones early in the morning in the market, simmer it in low heat for a number of hours to achieve the milky color and putting those herbs / spices as part of the ingredients. So tedious but at the end, as family eat together with my cousins, we crave for more.
Regular Ramen to choose from which are available in sizes – regular, small or large size:
- Shio (salt)
- Shoyu (soy sauce)
- Kara-Miso (hot soybean paste)
- Miso (soybean paste)
Following were the Lunch Set Menu that will be avaiable this May 30, 2014 – June 30, 2014 between 11am to 5pm:
- Karaage Set A – Price is P 360.00
- Ebi Furai Set B – Price is P 380.00
- Ebi Furai w/ Salmon Set C – Price is P 390.00
- Gyoza Set D – Price is P 350.00
Choice of:
- Rice Bowl or Inari-Sushi
- Bowl of Small Ramen like Shio, Shoyu, Kara-Miso and Miso
If you will asked me among the four sets, what is the recommended one?
I would go for Set C with the choice of:
- Karamiso Ramen
- Ebi Furai (Fried Prawn) and Salmon
- Inari-Sushi (pouch tofu with Japanese Rice inside)
Ebi Furai (Fried Prawn) and Salmon
For me, the taste is exciting and adventurous in terms of the spiciness of the soybean w/ the broth. Since I am into healthy eating, Ebi Furai (Fried Prawn) and Salmon would be a great alternative to eat.
You know me, I am a chicken lover which led to my second choice – the Karaage Set. I thought the chicken is oily. Maybe because of the dark color but its not. The meat is juicy and tender. Go also for Shio Ramen if you are not into spicy broth.
Is it the same with Ramen Santouka the way my grandma cooked with it?
Yes, I suppose so because until now, I even sip the whole bowl of soup without using those spoon. I am splurging with joy after I chopstick those yellow noodles. Its more on indulgence on how you are too filling on what you eat.
I also love the idea of serving the ramen not that too hot so as not to overcook the noodle and just enjoyed its savory soup taste. The choice of size is also a unique way to balance also each diet.
From the set menu that they offered, its a taste of everything good in one meal. Hopefully, they can retain it not only in a span of one month.
Location: Glorietta 4, Ayala Center Makati which is near front of SM Makati opens from 11am to 11pm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RamenSantoukaPH