Ippudo has become popular among Filipino diners since it opened its first restaurant in the country in 2014. This chain from Fukuoka, Japan takes pride in its 15-hour pork bone broth, handcrafted noodles, and fork-tender, slow-braised pork belly, all put together in elegant porcelain bowls.
As it celebrates its 10th anniversary in the Philippines, Ippudo is taking things a notch higher by giving side dishes a taste of the spotlight. It has launched a quarterly series called "Great Ramen, Great Sides" featuring limited-edition pairings, which we got to try during a recent media tasting session.
First on the lineup is the Yakiniku Ramen (P540), which combines Ippudo's signature noodle soup with thinly sliced grilled pork that is marinated in a mix of teriyaki and slightly spicy miso. The dish, accented with garlic oil, a sheet of nori, and salted soft-boiled eggs, gives a flavor punch with every slurp.
This seasonal ramen is paired with the Yakiniku Bun (P220), which is filled with thinly sliced beef, crisp lettuce, and a sauce made by combining Japanese mayonnaise and mustard. This is also served as part of a Trio Buns Set (P585), along with Ippudo's signature Pork Bun and the Fried Chicken Bun.
While it is a side dish, Ippudo made sure the Yakiniku Bun can stand on its own. The kara mayo sauce balances out the sweet and savory flavors of the beef, and the soft steamed bun adds to the overall feeling of comfort this little handheld brings.
The yakiniku-themed offerings are available in all of Ippudo's 11 branches in the Philippines until April 30, with the Japanese chain set to release more pairings later this year.