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Would you go as far as Subic to search for the best ramen bowl?

We all know that the hot and humid weather here in Manila didn’t stop people from jumping on the ramen bandwagon, that’s why various ramen places are sprouting at almost every corner of the metro. Whether it’s at an upscale mall or in a shady (and sometimes scary) neighbourhood, some hard core ramen enthusiasts are always on the lookout for new restaurants in search for that holy bowl.

So now we’re on the 3rd of our 4-part Ramen Series for the month of February, and the search for under the radar ramen places is what this list is all about. You don’t and probably won’t see them as much as Ramen Nagi or Ippudo on social media, but they’re quite the hits to its local neighborhood dwellers. PS: They’re all quite affordable too!

Part 1: Top 10 Ramen in Metro Manila
Part 2: 10 Unique Ramen Bowls in Manila
Part 4: 10 of the World’s Strangest Ramen that’s not in Manila

Erra’s Ramen Cart – Malate

Erra’s has been around for quite some time now and is a popular choice among late night diners in the area. Their 100-peso and under ramen selections include classics like tantanmen, shio, miso, and shoyu. They serve beer and other bar chows too if you want more than just ramen. Also read: 14 Restaurant Gems in Malate

Erra's Ramen Cart
Photo from @deltashockwave
Erra's Ramen Cart
Photo from @thedevilspizzaboy

No reservations accepted
View the full menu
1755 Adriatico St., cor. J. Nakpil St., Malate, Manila
+63 2 354-9509

Happon Ramen House – Marikina

Happon Ramen House is a 10-12 seater ramen joint that serves authentic ramen bowls under P200. It offers 8 types of ramen bowls, all using rich flavorful Chicken Paitan soup base, which is said to be a ‘healthier’ alternative to your average everyday ramen. Gyoza and chicken karaage are also available.

Happon Ramen House
Photo from @rasal66
Photo from @joliyaa

Reservations are accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
70 Cepeda St cor Colonel Divino St,Concepcion I, Marikina
+63 922 803-7460

Mensakaba Geishu – BF Homes

This quaint ramen place along Aguirre is run by an old couple named Alyn and Hiro. Hiro is a Japanese national who does not claim to be an expert at what he does, while his wife, Alyn, is the humble front liner of their humble 12-seater restaurant. Mensakaba serves light broth ramen bowls including Chashu-Men (which has SEVEN slices of roasted pork fillet), Ebi Wantanmen (shrimp wanton ramen) and Kantonmen (vegetable and seafood).

Mensakaba Geishu
Photo from @crashtestdaddy
Photo from @happytummytravels

No reservations accepted
View the full menu
Southland Apartments, Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque
+63 2 546-9302

Ohsama Ramen – Makati

Skip the queue at Little Tokyo and visit Ohsama Ramen for unique ramen flavors such as the Asari Butter Syouyu Ramen, Karaage (fried chicken) Ramen, and Karubi (beef) Ramen. Despite its prime location in Makati, ramen bowls are priced affordably between 200-300 pesos only; moreover, you can add gyoza and chahan for an additional 100 pesos only.

Ramen Ichiban Kan
Photo from @jackie_c0
Photo from @fernandez_bia

Reservations are accepted
800 A. Arnaiz Ave, San Lorenzo, Makati
+63 2 729-2516

Ramen Ichiban-Kan – Malate

Before the ramen invasion in Manila even happened, there was Ramen Ichiban-Kan along Mabini, Malate. This place is open until late and Japanese nationals are the usual suspects dining in the restaurant. Unique to their menu is the Kimchi ramen, which is also one of their bestsellers.

Ramen Ichiban Kan
Photo from @ezralacsamana

No reservations accepted
2101 A Mabini St, Malate, Manila
+63 2 524-4779

Takashi Japanese Cuisine – Pioneer

Hiding inside the Pioneer Center in Mandaluyong is Chef Takashi Kawasaki’s Japanese hole-in-the-wall. Primarily catering to its neighborhood locals and working citizens, Takashi offers bang-for-buck authentic Japanese cuisine from sushi, rice bowls, ramen and yes, fun panda sushi kawaii. Customers love their Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen and Hokkaido Miso Ramen.

Takashi Japanese Cuisine Photo from @cheflaudico[/caption]

Reservations are accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
Pioneer Center, 8006 Pioneer St. cor. United & Brixton St., Kapitolyo, Pasig
+63 905 510-9554

Ramen-Ya – BF Homes

Ramen-Ya is a discreet ramen place along Aguirre. What sets it apart from its neighbors is the price, nothing over 200 pesos for a bowl of ramen here. Their black garlic ramen is one of their specialties. The Japanese owner/chef makes the broth himself and keeps the recipe top secret.

Ramen-Ya
Photo from @jhycaballero
Ramen-Ya
Photo from @jinnolluminati

No reservations accepted
Aguirre Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque, Metro Manila
+63 915 699-4715

Ramen Kagetsu Arashi – Makati

Established in 1992, Ramen Kagetsu Arashi is one of the largest ramen chains in Japan and has more than 290 outlets worldwide. Their ramen bowls come in junior and regular bowls, don’t leave without trying their signature Arashi Genkotsu. This is its first outlet in Manila, a 2nd branch in BGC is opening on Feb. 19.

Ramen Kagetsu arashi
Photo from @sgwatchdude
Photo from @kagetsuph

No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
Paseo Center, 8757 Paseo de Roxas Ave., Makati
+63 2 836-5856

Tamagoya Noodle House – Antipolo

A popular Japanese noodle house in Antipolo known for its bowls of ramen, rice bowls and gyoza that are homegrown from Hokkaido. Everyone who has visited has nothing but good words for their Stamina Ramen (ramen with chili miso paste base soup) and Beef Yakisoba. Their karaage is also a popular choice.

Tamagoya Noodle House
Photo from @christian.dale
Tamagoya Noodle House
Photo from @cocoynabua

 No reservations accepted
#2 Soliven Avenue, Mayamot, Antipolo, Rizal
+63 2 861-8631

Yoshida Seimen Yokohama Ramen – Legaspi Village

Yoshida Seimen Yokohama Raman serves only ramen set meals that come with 5 side dishes–salad, 2 small appetizers and coffee jelly dessert. The Wafu and Noukou sets are the top choices and they’re both just P350/set.

Yoshida Seimen Yokohama Ramen
Wafu Ramen | Photo from @dastinethewind

No reservations accepted
RG4 Makati Creekside Bldg Amorsolo cor Herrera, Legazpi Village, Makati
+63 2 887-2352

Ramen Sora – Subic (BONUS)

This is a wild card entry for this list since its branches can only be found in Pampanga, Cebu, and Subic. Ramen Sora means ‘noodle soup’ and ‘sky’; the restaurant’s first branch opened in Las Vegas, USA. Owners Chef Tomio Takada and Chef Yoshimari Ichise partnered with Gerry Apolinario (of Gerry’s Grill) to bring the franchise to the Philippines. Ramen Sora is known for its bestselling Sapporo-style Miso Ramen.

Ramen Sora
Photo from @francisco_sengia
Photo from @sefffrancisco

No reservations accepted
View the full menu
View their Instagram account
Court Meridian Hotel, Waterfront Road, Olongapo City
+63 47 250-3278

We hope this list just made your day a little better than it was a few digital calories ago. If you still haven’t, sign up to Booky Prime free trial so you can start booking tables at over 200 partner restaurants and get up to P500 off your table bill. P.S. You may even get a surprise free dessert before your meal ends.

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