So I arrived Santouka REALLY early. Like 9:45am early. Even Glorietta was still closed. The only people in the restaurant were the waitstaff and the Japanese consultants who were having a very serious discussion about the menu.
I am thankful they allowed me to wait inside.
So I napped first on this wooden slab in the private room. Hehe, just kidding! :P
Santouka has two of these rooms to cater to your party and/or privacy needs.
I witnessed the owners gather outside for a short mass followed by the ribbon cutting
(I was in, they were out. How cool is that?)
Shortly after, the place filled up, and it was finally...
PIG OUT TIME!!!
Only for these few days, Santouka will be on a limited menu serving four kinds of ramen and
two kinds of pork. Next week there will be rice bowls, ramen sets, curries, salads, side dishes,
chasiu paos and desserts
Tokusen Toroniku Ramen - a plate of roasted pork cheeks and a bowl of ramen of your choice
(this one's miso)
Now let me tell you about the roasted pork cheeks. Just so you know, a whole pig has only
less than 300 grams of cheek, which means these slices of jowl are the most precious things
ever since… umm… dark chocolates were invented? Coming from me, that says A LOT.
(Hello, my name is Jin and I am a chocoholic!)
Can you see how soft it is? Like very savory newborn baby meat.
And just when I thought nothing could be better than the Tokusen Toroniku, I got a taste of this:
The Kurobuta Tokusen Toroniku
You know what they say. Kurobuta is the kobe beef of pork. No other explanation necessary.
I will give up the love of my life for this.
Miso Ramen - nutty and creamy in its own little way
Shio Ramen - thick slices of chasiu, nori, fish cake, menma, green onions and Santouka's
signature topping - a pickled plum - swimming in a nice, mellow broth that is light yet full of flavor
Shoyu Ramen - soy sauce based tonkotsu broth
Kara-Miso Ramen - this spicy miso is my favorite because I love a little heat and excitement in my
life… Oops! I mean in my ramen! Hee hee. Like all of Santouka's ramen broths, the kara-miso's
flavors are graceful, composed, and well-balanced
I was told this kitchen is the biggest of all Santouka kitchens in the world
Congratulations, Jerry and family! :)
Ramen Santouka: Ground Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati (beside Outback, across SM Foodcourt)