Can you write a food article a month after experiencing it? Most would say, that is impossible since you already lost the flavor and the sense of being there. I would say, they are true to a point. BUT if the experience was really good and the flavor was really great that you get to recall the texture and the richness of it, then that is GOOD FOOD. Such was my experience with Ryu Ramen and Curry (@RyuRamenandCurry).
Ryu Ramen and Curry presently has 3 locations, the one in U.P. Town Center Katipunan Ave. Q.C., Tomas Morato and SM Jazz Makati. All branches were designed to give you a Japanese house feel, with wooden beams and a kitchen that you get see how things are being prepared.
Last October, Ryu Ramen and Curry has launched their Tanatanmen 5 ( #Tantanmen5) ramen line. A ramen line so rich and diverse in flavors that you have will have a good time tasting each bowl served to you. A month after having the bloggers meet, I went back and introduced the place to a friend and I was not placed into shame because he loved it. The flavor and the texture of the broth is really good!
#Tantanmen5 is composed of the #ClassicTantanmen, #EbiTantanmen, #YakiButaTantanmen, #KaraageTantanmen and the #GyuTantanmen. We only got to try 4 of the 5 tantanmen but it was worth it. All served in a bowl big enough for someone with a big appetite or possible sharing between two.
Classic Tantanmen
This is a rich miso based broth with delectable chashu slices, spicy ground pork, soft boiled egg and tasty noodles. It has the right level of spice that makes it delicious. You can ask for the level of spice to be adjusted based on your preference but for me, having it on its original level of spice makes it more delicious and authentic. The bean sprouts were cooked right, maintaining a delightful crunch. The broth is so smooth in texture!
Ebi Tantanmen
Shrimp bits packed goodness in a bowl of a rich miso based stock with fresh green vegetables and noodles. Unfortunately, I cannot try this dish due to medical reasons.
Yaki Buta Tantanmen
Big slices of tender pork ribs that slides off the bone! With mix fresh vegetables and noodles in a bowl of tasty miso soup this is one bowl that you would indeed not forget. The meat is tenderly soft with flavors that compliments and blends well with the broth. Don't forget to ask for an extra saucer for the bones. :-)
Karaage Tantanmen
This is chicken, shiitake mushroom, vegetables and noodles with a bowlful of miso based soup. It has two key ingredients that I love, shiitake mushroom and chicken, but there was something that made me re-think about it. True to say that mushrooms has an earthy flavor but as a home-cook, I know there is a way to lessen that earthy taste and release a more mushroom flavor delight. A plus point to be noted with this dish is the crunch that the chicken has even it the broth got into it. :-)
Gyu Tantanmen
Generous slices of tender beef with vegetables and noodles in a savory rich miso based soup.
Unfortunately this was not available at that time (bloggers meet) but Ryu Ramen made sure that we are not short changed by treating us a hot item ramen in the menu - the #RyuRamenCurry.
When I first heard the name of the restaurant, it has two things that I love - Ramen and Curry! Japanese curry is different from Indian curry and having it with ramen is something that I need to try. Ryu Ramen Curry is such food creation! It has the right ramen flavor and then enhanced with Japanese curry, making the broth more thicker and richer in flavor. The spice flavor is also in my acceptable level even if we are talking of two spice source - the ramen and the curry. The bean sprouts was still crunchy! The curry blended well with the miso broth! The meat was tender and the egg was soft. YUMMY! This is the where the classic local line of "sabaw pa lang ay ulam na" (the broth is already a viand or a dish itself) strongly applies!
Other treats that I was able to try and I strongly recommend are the following: KatsuCheese Curry, Pan Fried Gyoza and Teba Gyoza.
Katsu Cheese Curry
Thick slices of meat coated with seasoned breading, stuffed with a good slice of cheese, served with rice and a good amount of curry sauce with vegetable. One serving of rice is not enough, trust me! You need to ask for another bowl of rice. The curry sauce is so delicious that coating your rice with it and eating it on its own is already delicious! I don't know how they do it but the cheese is still visible and tasty after all the preparations it went through. Something that you don't get from other dining area that serves Katsu with cheese.
Pan Fried Gyoza
Yes it is a dumpling but the real test for this type of dumpling is how it was prepared before it hit your table. Gyoza is simply a Japanese take on the Chinese dumpling (on a limited scale. I mean, let us face it when we talk of dumplings - Chinese cuisine, we are talking of a very good list of selection). Their Pan Fried Gyoza is good! The wrapper is of the right thickness. The stuffing is of the right amount. The right color and amount of pan fried marks showing great control and watchfulness of the chef.
Teba Gyoza
It was my first time to try this type of gyoza and it was not a disappointment! When served to our table, it looks like a cross between a sausage and a chicken coated and fried. Don't get me wrong, Teba Gyoza is indeed a sausage wrapped in chicken skin and it was a wonder to eat! The chicken gave a different taste perspective to the sausage and combined with the coating, the crunch gave another texture depth to the dish. When ordering this dish, make sure that you order 2 servings and if you can match it with a cold beer then it would be a wonder to your palate.
Don't forget to match your dish with either their house tea or their Mix Berry Iced Tea. Their house tea is a nice creation of rice brewed to give you that grain taste but very helpful to the meal. The Mix Berry Iced Tea is a cool and refreshing drink that is not too sweet and has that tart-sweet flavor combination. Being a tea lover myself, this cold treat was a puzzle for me to fully breakdown the flavor components - I LOVE IT STILL!
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| House Tea |
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| Mix Berry Iced Tea |
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You can reach the different branches of Ryu Ramen and Curry with the following numbers:
Tomas Morato Branch: +632 709 8789
U.P. Town Center Katipunan Ave: +632 294 3574
SM Jazz Makati: +632 874 1022
As a whole, the Ryu Ramen and Curry experience was a blast! I may have been late in posting this article but the taste and experience will always be like yesterday for me. THAT IS WHAT GOOD FOOD IS ALL ABOUT!
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