Here in the tropics, we only have 2 seasons — the wet and dry seasons. And since we’re nearing the end of the year (a cray 2020 to be descriptive), we’ve been experiencing rains for most days now. Don’t get me wrong, I love rainy days. I love the soothing and peaceful vibes that rainy days bring. It allows me, time to go on self reflection or catch-up on much needed sleep! ❤️
With rainy and cold days, slurping on comfort soup is always a good idea, if not a must-have. Growing up, soup is not one of my comfort foods nor was it on my list. During rainy days, I always find myself wanting to eat ice cream or drink smoothies/shakes! This is such a mystery to me up to this day! It was only recently, about 2 to 3 years, that I’ve come to appreciate ramens — both instant and legit ramens. A late bloomer, alright! 🙂
I admit, I have peculiar taste for food, in general. If there’s a hint of smell that I don’t like, I will not eat that. If in my head I can’t figure out the taste combinations of the ingredients, most of the time I will not eat that. Judgey, I know! 😛 I think, it’s because of this peculiarity that I’ve avoided ramens. I don’t like the taste and smell of miso, which most of the ramens here in Cebu have a soup base of. Looking back, I just haven’t scoured the city that well for me to know that there are other soup base for ramens that’s not miso! And in my defense, it was only recently that legit ramen bars are sprouting in the metro, since then I had a change of heart. Anyway, here are my go to ramen places in Cebu:
Ramen Yushoken
Located at G/F Oakridge Business Park, 880 A. S. Fortuna St, Mandaue City, 6014.
Ramen Yushoken first started out in Manila and it was only about 2 years since they’ve branched out here in Cebu. They’re the first Japanese restaurant that I’ve been to that don’t offer spoon and fork to their customers, instead they have this chopsticks for dummies. Their ramens are not for take out (to go), in fact, it’s their policy, since they believe that the taste would no longer be authentic or that there will be some slight taste alterations should these be taken outside the restaurant. This belief makes a lot sense, by the way.
All of their ramens are in pork broth soup base and very filling in every slurp. My go to orders here are the “shoyu” ramen and gyoza. So far, they have the best gyoza in town — tasty and has the right mix of crunchiness and softness. Shoyu ramen is soy sauce-based and it has a rich and flavorful soup. It comes with a slice of grilled pork belly. Their egg noodles has the right size and the taste and doneness combines well with the taste of the other ingredients.
One thing to note when you want to go to Yushoken is the waiting time to be seated. It’s always packed with diners and some are even lining up waiting for their turn to be seated. Either you go there after the lunch/dinner rush time or early enough or during the lunch/dinner rush time but make sure that you’re not too hungry yet to be able to wait. 🙂
So far, this is the best ramen for me. A bit pricey compared to other ramen places but it’s worth the price.
Hamakaze Ramen
A small, quaint ramen place located at AYS Building, A. S. Fortuna St, Mandaue City, 6014 Cebu.
Their ramens have a chicken soup-base. It’s still tasty and filling but not as rich and bold as Yushoken’s. A different take and twist to ramens, I guess.
The first time I’ve tried this place, I followed my bestie, Gail’s ramen order. Gail was actually the one who’ve introduced me to ramens and got me hooked to them. I’ve always known that she’s a foodie and so I trusted her taste.
We got the Tsukemen, it’s a cold ramen with toppings and the chicken collagen soup and dip are on the side. It’s not the usual ramen I’ve known and tried. I’m used to having both the soup and the noodles combined in one bowl. So this was really an experience for me. You have to put the cold noodles little by little into the soup and enjoy the ramen from there. I think this was their way of ensuring that the noodles don’t get soggy fast.
Apart from ramens they also have other items in their menu. I like their Tori Karaage and Ebi Tempura. They have gyoza too but I still love Yushoken’s gyoza.
The second time I’ve been here was just recently, about 2 months ago. They’ve just reopened for business and have been accepting dine-ins since the pandemic broke out. Again, I was with Gail. She’s a regular customer here and this is her favorite ramen so far.
This time around we ordered the Tori Paitan Syo-yu Ramen. I’ve explicitly told her to get me a ramen where the noodles and soup are in 1 bowl. 😂 The cold noodle was an experience but it’s something that I don’t like — given an option, I’d still go for the “vanilla” ramen. Sorry ramen snobs!
Price wise, they’re midrange for ramens and it’s right for the taste, size, and place.
Unlike Yushoken, Hamakaze don’t get to have customers lining up and waiting in line to be seated. Although there are times that the place gets packed, but one need not wait that long to be seated. Another thing to note, since the place is small and it’s along the road, there are only 2 parking slots available. Parking is a bit tough. However, during dinner time and nighttime, parking wouldn’t be that difficult as the other 2 parking slots from the bank (beside the place) could now be utilized.
Sachi Japanese Restaurant
Sachi has several branches in the metro. They are also offering a lot of items in their menu apart from ramen.
They’re known for their okonomiyaki and takoyaki. My go to orders here at Sachi would be Tonkotsu Ramen and Cheese Takoyaki.
The broth is on the lighter side even if it’s pork bone broth. It’s still filling but not as bold and rich as I want my ramen to be. Love their noodles, it’s on the skinnier/thinner side unlike Hamakaze. Their boiled egg is not as pretty as Yushoken’s. By pretty, I meant the yolk is not in a deeper yellow color and the doneness is more on the hard boiled side. I love hard boiled eggs but I want to eat them alone or with salt. With my ramen, I want to take them with the yolk that’s a bit runny and not well cooked. This is so, because I find that it’ll complement well with the broth of the ramen.
In terms of price, like Hamakaze, they’re also midrange.
Okinawa Heat
Like Sachi, they also a couple of branches in the city. I first got to try this place out in their newly opened branch in Ayala Central Bloc, IT Park.
What I like about this place is that they have set meal menus for their ramen that other ramen bars are not offering. To me, this sets them apart.
Their ramen is pretty decent. The broth is not as rich as Yushoken but bolder and cleaner than Sachi’s version. Their noodles is also on the skinnier/thinner side.
At Okinawa Heat, their ebi tempura is also tasty compared to other Japanese restaurants. Their tempura sauce though is not that savory that goes well with the tempura batter.
Their prices are what you would expect from Japanese cuisine. They’re also midrange and price is right for the taste and size.
Barikata Ramen Bar
They’re located at G/F Calyx Building West Geonzon Street IT park Lungsod ng Cebu PH, W Geonzon St, Cebu City, Cebu.
They have a wide variety of menu items and are also offering several set-menus and value meals. I think this is their way of catering to a more price conscious market and who’ve always had this notion that Japanese cuisine is pricey.
I don’t have a picture of their ramen, but this is one of my go to places in IT Park when I’m craving for ramen and ebi tempura. To me it’s like the next best thing to have when Yushoken is far from the office. 😂 I like their ramen. It also has that rich and bold taste as how I take my ramen. What’s unique at Barikata is the black pork bone broth soup base and their noodles. It’s the thinnest ramen noodles I’ve seen and tried — like angel hair pasta thin.
At Barikata, I’d usually order their Kuro ni Tamago ramen. It’s tonkotsu ramen with boiled egg. I’d also pair this with their ebi tempura and gyoza. Their ebi tempura also comes with prawn crackers which other restaurants are not offering. In terms of price, I think they’re the cheapest in the area if not they’re similar to that of Okinawa Heat’s prices.
There you have it folks! My list of go to ramen bars/places in Cebu. You might want to try them out should you be in town and are craving for a bowl of ramen. On a cold, gloomy and rainy day like today, a bowl of ramen is just comforting and a welcome binge. 🥰
SingleBakedMiss by KiaraC 