#santouka

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka was founded in 1988 by Hitoshi Hatanaka in Asahikawa, located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido. Hatanaka wanted to develop a classic ramen made with a simple soup that could be savoured to the last spoonful and topped with a fabulous Char-siu pork. This masterfully assembled ramen with robust flavors has stood out ever since and has reached many other countries around the world.

The restaurant has a charming ambiance with wooden tables and wood-paneled walls and accents. Tones of black and brown give it a serious but classy vibe where you can enjoy authentic Japanese dishes.

I sometimes come here with my friends before we head off for movie night at the mall or spend a round at Red Box Karaoke just beside the restaurant.

The Shio Ramen (P385) is Santouka’s signature ramen recipe loved in Japan for decades. The mild, pearl-colored Tonkotsu soup is simmered with pork bones before adding vegetables, dried fish, kelp, and other special ingredients. The Shio ramen is seasoned with salt, making it a mild and creamy broth.

One unique variety they have is the Awase-Aji Ramen (P380). This is a specialty ramen that is basically a combination of al three classic ramen variants, the Shio (salt), Shoyu (soy sauce), and Miso (soybeans) ramen. I don’t see this at other ramen restaurants so this is what I usually order here at Ramen Santouka.

For the spicy food lovers, go for the Santouka Spicy Miso Soup (P390) which is a powerful and spicier version of their miso-based ramen. 

But my favorite order at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is the Santouka Set Menu which comes your choice of a small size ramen, a rice bowl, salad, dessert, and tea. The Santouka Set Menu B (P555) is what I usually get because it also comes with fried prawns and white rice. Imagine having delicious prawn katsu and authentic ramen all in one set.

For this combination, I chose the mini Shoyu Ramen which has a soy sauce seasoned pork broth. It says that it is a mini ramen bowl but the serving is actually big enough for an average person. 

That means it is just right for me together with the Ebi Furai and white rice. These are three big pieces of prawns deep fried in crunchy panko crumbs. Both items can be considered as complete meals by themselves so to have them together in one set is really a heavenly treat.

One of the newer locations for Hokkaido Ramen Santouka can be found at The Garage VR Zone and Food Park inside City of Dreams Manila. (Read about it here). I attended the launch last year and got the Kara-Miso Ramen (P395) which is a hot and spicy ramen that has pork broth seasoned with hot spices and soybean paste.

Wherever I am in the city, I will always find a Santouka outlet nearby to satisfy my Japanese cravings. I don’t think I will ever get tired of eating Japanese food, so that makes me one lucky lady!

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

4/F Garden Level, Trinoma Mall, EDSA, Quezon City

625-2842 / (0917) 293-9417

www.santouka.co.jp