A warm, rich, and comforting bowl of ramen with every ingredient complementing each other to create a unique and authentic taste. That’s the kind of ramen you can expect to be served on your table in Ramen Butcher Manila.
The Philippines has always been a ramen-loving country, so much so that in every mall, town, and city, a ramen bar or a ramen place is always present. Finding the best ramen place is positively challenging since there are really no rules in putting it together, even in Japan. So, it all boils down to personal preference, pun intended. But for this particular write-up, we stopped by Ramen Butcher Manila to check out the hype around this trending ramen place, thanks to FoodTok.
The Location: Ramen Butcher Manila, Sct. Lazcano, Diliman, QC
Ramen Butcher Manila couldn’t find a better place than the prime spot it is currently in along Sct. Lazcano, the hippie food district of Quezon City. The restaurant’s exterior design is already a giveaway that they serve no ordinary ramen. As you enter, its industrial and minimalistic design gives off a vibrant feel especially with the island of verdure and undergrowth smack right at the center of the restaurant, making it a great place for some afternoon ramen fix.
The two-story ramen place also boasts a 30-pax function room suitable for large gatherings and meetings.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Price and Food
Price is usually a deal-breaker for many, however, if the service, quality, and quantity are justified, it becomes negligible. Such is the case with Ramen Butcher Manila’s offerings. Despite the mid to high-range prices, any of their selections become justifiable mainly because of quality alone, well, at least for the ones we ordered.
For the ramen, we did not order their usual bestsellers and all-time favorites, such as the Butcher Signature or Spicy Butcher Signature. Instead, we ordered Hakata Tonkatsu Black Garlic which instantly drowned any chances of regrets to surface right after the first sip of their creamy, fragrant, and umami-rich broth. The taste and smell, alone, are already a winner. Had it not been early in the afternoon, the Hakata Black Garlic experience would have been a rockstar with a glass of Kirin Craft Beer. But for “ramen and beer in the afternoon” people, consider yourselves highly encouraged.
Piping-hot complementing dish
Any ramen place would not be complete without a plate of Gyoza. We have been on a constant journey to find the best Gyoza in town, and by some sheer coincidence, we might’ve stumbled upon one of the best right at the heart of Quezon City. Finding that unique and authentic taste of Gyoza can be quite a challenge, but fortunately, The Ramen Butcher Manila delivers just that. Their wrappers have a delightful softness that retains a doughy texture even after crisping up in the pan. You can really appreciate the skill that goes into making them, resulting in a succulent and enticing flavor profile that’s hard to resist.
All those tasty dishes go really well with their signature Yuzu Iced Tea. To wrap up our meal, we decided to try the Coffee Jelly, and it ended up being a surprisingly awesome dessert at a pretty good price.
Taste: 4/5
Serving: 3.8/5
The Service
Ramen shops are often celebrated for their friendly and inviting atmosphere, and that rings true for the Ramen Butcher Manila. Soon as you step in, you’ll be greeted with the traditional Japanese cheerful enthusiasm, creating an immediate sense of welcome. What’s truly remarkable, however, is the impressive knowledge of their servers and their quick response to any customer inquiries or requests. Plus point since you won’t have to wait long for your meal since their serving is relatively quick.
Service: 4.5/5
If you’re a ramen lover or just someone looking to enjoy some delicious, authentic ramen, you really have to check out The Ramen Butcher Manila! Whether you like your ramen traditional or with a spicy kick, we’re sure you’ll find something hearty and satisfying on the menu that’s well worth it. The cozy, Japanese-inspired decor adds to the charm and ensures that your experience will be anything but ordinary.
Overall: 4.2
