Authentic Japanese Ramen: Kichitora

If you are an avid anime fan or have had at some point in your life been exposed to anything Japanse, you would have no doubt have heard of the famous Japanese Ramen. I have always had a fascination for the stuff especially when I see the gleaming, abundunt bowls devoured by my favourite anime characters. However, I have always found local versions from Japanese restaurants to be somewhat lacking both in taste and presentation. While I drool at the tv depictions, I don't end up doing so on the actual ones. Well, not until I had some at Kichitora that is ;-)

Directions:
Kichitora is located at the  2nd Floor, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong, Philippines


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The good thing about this place is that they focus only on Ramen. Yes, you can order desserts, rice, and may be some dumplings but unlike other Japanese restaurants in the Metro, their focus is Ramen. Which, for me, assures me that this is really their specialty. Now, onto the review.

Outside the SM Megamall store

The walls are decorated with ornate Japanese silks

First, let's start with the environment itself. The first thing you'll notice is that the store pretty much looks like Yabu (right across the store in SM Megamall) but what is different is that Kichitora exudes a much more subdued atmosphere. The interior is colored black which gives you the feeling that you are in some sort of secret society. The walls are covered with ornate Japanese silks which is very pleasing to the eye and the irregularity of the designs break stand in stark contrast to the black interior. The couches although soft provide enough support for you to stay comfy even while eating. It was a bit cramped inside for me though.

The inside of Kichitora

The staff are very courteous, diligently explaining everything that you ask from the sauces to the menu. Service was also quick and snappy, I don't recall having to wait that long to receive my order of Ramen so much so that I felt that nothing good could come of something done so quickly but I wasn't disappointed.

We ordered 3 different types of Ramen, the Special Miso Chashu Ramen with Ma Oil (Ma-Yu), the Shio (Salt) Chicken Ramen, and the Paitan (White Soup) Chicken Ramen. Let's start with the Shio (Salt) Chicken Ramen, it was the most "regular" of the bunch for me. The flavors were ok albeit a bit salty for my companion's taste. It was a bit better than the Ramen I have tasted in other restaurants, nothing remarkable for me.

Shio (Salt) Chicken Ramen [Php 320]

Next comes the Special Miso Chashu Ramen with Ma Oil (Ma-Yu), this is the one that I ordered and has the biggest serving of the 3. The star of the dish was this beautifully cooked slab of pork which had a distinctive smoky taste that has intrigued me. How can a flavor like that stand on it's own amid a sea of soup? Impressively, it was able to wow my taste buds. The pork was very tender and will leave you wanting more. The outside was a bit charred which complemented the softness of the inside. The next distinctive thing for me were the bamboo shoots, in fact all 3 bowls had them and these were quickly devoured due to their "snappy" texture. I simply loved these bamboo shoots. The noodles were also very good mind you. They are not the regular noodles that suck up the soup and become soggy. We managed to take some ramen home and after 4 hours in the soup the noodles stayed "al dente", as if they were freshly cooked. The broth was wonderful, very savoury and filling. The flavors melded very well and I can't describe the taste except that it was yummy! The only downside of the dish is that it was very heavy, you will surely feel full after eating it.

Special Miso Chashu Ramen with Ma Oil (Ma-Yu) [Php 395]

Last but not the least is the Paitan (White Soup) Chicken Ramen which for me is the best of the three. It was relatively the same with the other 2 in terms of the noodles and the chicken was ok. Where this dish shines is in the soup. The taste was very complex, making me feel that a lot of chickens or at least chicken bones were used to make the soup and this was made for a very long time. The white soup was simply phenomenal. It gives you that depth of flavor you'll never think you'll taste out of chicken. I'm the guy who prefers pork so you'll know this is quite unusual for me. Despite being incredibly delicious this dish will surely not leave you feeling that full when you finish eating it and will leave you wanting more.

Paitan (White Soup) Chicken Ramen [Php 360]

You can also order Gyoza with your Ramen. What sets these gyoza apart from others is that they are made to complement the Ramen. They do not seek to overwhelm your taste buds with the taste of beef or pork but rather they provide a welcome interlude when you wish to refresh your palate and go at that Ramen bowl again. They were so light that the main taste you'll have on your tongue is the taste of spring onions. The charred outside is also fantastic. 

Gyoza [Php 150]

Lastly for dessert we had Coconut Tofu with Matcha and Azuki. Again, as with the Gyoza, this dish shines because it does not seek to overwhelm. Like a beautifully orchestrated symphony, this dish blends in effortlessly, it is like whoever made the menu considered what you had before in making the dessert. The Ramen lacked the sweetness and this dish provides it. The subtle sweetness and the flavor of the coconut is very welcome together with the red beans. The green seaweed powder also provides a weird but welcome taste and balances out the rest of the dish. The portion is just right and surely this dish will leave you feeling refreshed.

Coconut Tofu with Matcha and Azuki [Php 150]

The last thing that I liked about this restaurant is they have a beautiful and clean rest room. This, I feel is something that every restaurant should have but sadly most don't care to provide. The interior was well designed and it was very clean with a pleasant odor. They provide the basic tissue and soap which most restaurants don't care to place.

Oh, and btw, here is a copy of their menu, enjoy!

So the next time you want to experience authentic Japanese Ramen, head on over to Kichitora! :)

A day of good eats, good art, and good buys!

For me, SM Megamall has been one of the best malls to walk around in. Even if I was going there since I was a kid, the place never ceases to surprise me.

One of the best restaurants there is a place called Chef's Quarter. It is located at the 3rd level of Megamall's Atrium. Here are their details:

Facebook page: Chef's Quarter
Location:

L3 The Atrium, SM Megamall

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Robinson's Place Ermita

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I've gotten a chance to dine at both locations and I find that their service is consistent and top-notch. The staff is very accommodating, friendly, and attentive. They pay attention to every detail and you'll often see them meticulously inspecting the silverware before they lay it down on your table. Glasses are consistently filled with water, unlike other places I know of that don't even refill your bottomless iced tea consistently.

The view from a couch seat at their SM Megamall branch

The table setting makes you not want to take a meal in it.
It's so neat!!!

The food, like the service is also top notch. Believe me when I tell you that you'll get your money's worth here. Although at first you may be shocked at the prices at first, you'll find out later on that they're well worth it. Our main favorite is their Grilled Salmon Tranche with wasabi glazed saffron rice and grilled romaine hearts (Php 420). Sure it's more expensive than the Conti's baked salmon but it's taste sure makes up for it. The salmon is perfectly cooked and juicy. Once you get over the rich taste of that salmon, you'll notice a sharp flavor from that wasabi glaze which will leave you wanting more. I got so distracted by the taste of the salmon and the glaze that I hardly notice the saffron rice, hmm, may be my taste buds need a little bit more training and restraint!

Grilled Salmon Tranche with wasabi glazed saffron rice
and grilled romaine hearts (Php 420)

The next dish I would highly recommend is their Stir Fried Seafood Paella (Solo: Php 195; Family Php 395). It is one of the best paellas I've ever tasted, well apart from the one that we cook at home! The rice is nicely colored and is really soft just the way we like it. You'll absolutely get lost in the seafood, there's the perfectly cooked juicy fish, the squid, the tender shrimp, mussels, just delicious. All of these are complemented by the nicely cooked vegetables, egg, and perfect seasoning.

Stir Fried Seafood Paella (Solo: Php 195; Family: Php 395)

Sadly, the chicken dish that I used to love is now gone. I've also forgotten it's name and can't find a picture of it. It had rice stuffing which just oozes flavor. Nonetheless, the replacement is no less scrumptious. The Roasted Chicken (Half: Php 295; Whole: Php 550) is not to be confused with the one served at Savory Restaurant. Although a certain pinoy flavor has been added to it with the banana or more particularly, the Saba, placed as a siding. I need not say more than it is simply delicious.

Roasted Chicken (Half: Php 295; Whole: Php 550)

The next dish we tried during our latest dining experience there was the New England Pot Roasted Beef (Solo: Php 250; Family: Php 495). It's one of those comforting dishes that you'd like to eat all nestled in a comfy sofa, near a fireplace, at the end of a long and rainy day at work. The beef was soft and melts like butter in the mouth. The thin layer of glistening fat on top doesn't give you that heavy feeling at the end of the meal and doesn't leave you feeling guilty ;-). The sauce is seasoned perfectly. All this is served with a siding of creamy mash potatoes and the usual vegetable sidings.

New England Pot Roasted Beef (Solo: Php 250; Family: Php 495)

The last dish we tried was a tad disappointing. It's the St. Louis Pork Ribs Barbecue (Solo: Php 295; Family: Php 550). It got mixed reviews from everyone at the table. Some loved it, some didn't. But for me, I didn't like it. I felt it was too sour and deviated from the more mellow and comforting food we had earlier, but then again, it may be just to my taste. I also felt that the gravy was a bit too much and too sour!

St. Louis Pork Ribs Barbecue (Solo: Php 295; Family: Php 550)

The other dishes we had before which I failed to take a picture of but nonetheless I highly recommend are the Chef's Quarter Steak, Petite Fillet Mignon, and Fish and Chips. The Chef's Quarter Steak is something I consciously make an effort not to wolf down immediately but savor slowly. The steak is perfectly cooked to your liking (mine's medium rare) and well seasoned. The flavored butter they put on top just makes it taste that much richer and the siding of potato wedges give you something to nibble on as you relax and contemplate another serving of that steak. The Petite Fillet Mignon is also good but I prefer the Chef's Quarter Steak over it. And last but not the least is the Fish and Chips. I feel that this dish is essential if you're really hungry. It goes with any dish I've tried with it. The fish is tender and has that crunchy coating we all love and the potato wedges are well salted.

Well, moving on, we toured around SM Megamall and found this art exhibition where a few people were hanging around. Why not go in if it's free! I immediately saw an opportunity to hone my photography skills and politely asked the lady looking after the booth if I could snap pictures of the art on display, fortunately, she said YES!

The Gallery Nine Annual Sculpture Review
I often see different art exhibited in this space

A beautify sculpture made of shells

Soldiers made out of scrap metal

This was actually moving. Made of tableware.

Some fanciful sculptures about astronauts.
Hope I accurately captured the mood!

A wire sculpture of a man seemingly
floating on the wall

A decorative doorway.
Reminds me of the tree where the Kings
and Queens of Narnia passed thru

A sculpture of an eastern dragon

Bronze sculpture of a woman

Driftwood with bronze goldfish
Reminds me of my aquarium

Some wooded sculptures

A beautifully crafted machine where everything
rotates when you move it

A sculpture of a head

Herbie, is that you!?!

Forgot what game I saw this at, anyone know?

This really caught my eye with its colors

Reminds me of those paper swans we
made when we were kids

Another sculpture which caught my eye
It's made of stripped stranded copper wire

Simply wonderful
The artist must have spent hours on this

Moving on, we chanced upon an exhibition at the Megatrade Hall. We bought some of the products of the provinces, like coffee, peanut flavored bukayo, salted eggs, and the like. I got a chance to meet a friendly soft shelled crab vendor from Zamboanga who I might buy some crab from in the future! There were also products like the usual Batangas blades and the not so usual products made from water hyacinths, sea snake leather wallets (which were quite soft mind you) and the dragon fruit (which was a cacti?!?)

Products made from water hyacinths

Soft shelled crabs

Dragon fruit cacti

Well that's it for today. See you on the next post! :-)