When people think of ramen, tonkotsu, shoyu or miso broth ramen would first come to mind. But there’s also dry ramen. Known as Mazesoba, it’s actually a common dish in Japan. Mazesoba literally translates to mixed noodles, and it’s one of the best iterations of soupless ramen you can try now.
Originating from Tokyo, Japan, Menya Kokoro by Japanese Chef Takuma Ishikawa specializes in tasty bowls of mazesoba, and the good news is that it’s now in the Philippines! We visited its first branch in Uptown Mall, BGC last weekend and had a great dining experience. At Menya Kokoro, soba made from whole wheat noodles is made fresh and it’s mixed with the house special sauce and signature ingredients that are all good and tasty.
Chef Takuma
Review of Menya Kokoro (Uptown Place Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)
Ambiance:
The setting at Menya Kokoro in Uptown Mall is casual and cozy. At the far end of the dining room (behind the counter) are chefs who seriously know what they’re doing as they craft bowls of beautifully done noodles with rich sauce and fresh and interesting ingredients. With washed out gray wall, the ambiance is where you want to feel calm but not catatonic. It exudes elegance and the combination with wooden fixtures couldn’t be more perfect. The palette presented is a great style for a modern Japanese restaurant. Tall glass windows bring a reflective natural lighting to the space.
Food:
For our appetizer, we tried their Takoyaki (PhP 140) which came with a contrasting sweet and savory taste. Topped with a generous amount of Japanese mayo and bonito flakes, this delicious Japanese treat was fried on the outside while the inside remained gooey. Yum!
Apart from Takoyaki, Menya Kokoro’s Karaage (PhP 200) was lovely as well. The Japanese-style fried chicken was juicy and came out light, crispy, and solid on flavor. It’s a total crowd-pleaser.
For the mains, we got their best sellers, Tokyo Mazesoba (PhP 350) for me and Zenbu Mazesoba (PhP 470) for Louie. We’re told that the best way to eat a bowl of mazesoba is to mix everything evenly. Tokyo Mazesoba had a mix of elements such as the spring onions, chives, and runny egg over a medley of minced meat. I liked the springy and chewy texture of the noodles, and the thickness was also quite satisfying for every bite. Adding a splash of their kombu vinegar can help cut through the creaminess of the sauce. Portion your noodles and give this a try!
With almost the same components as the Tokyo Mazesoba plus more, the Zenbu Mazesoba looked more enticing and it also burst with savory flavor. Give them a good toss and relish the delicious explosion of flavors! The bamboo shoots and slow-braised char siu (braised pork belly) were definitely great additions to the dish.
Both Zenbu and Tokyo Maseoba are available (per request) in a non-spicy version. We tried the spicy version and the heat was tolerable. I think spice-lovers will love this rendition.
Curry Mazesoba (PhP 430)
Vegan Mazesoba (PhP 380)
All their mazesoba are served with a complimentary bowl of mushroom shoyu (soya sauce) soup on the side–not to be poured over the bowl of mazesoba. Once you’re almost done eating the noodles but still have a handful of tasty ingredients and sauce in the bowl, raise your hand and ask for the Oimeshi. It’s Japanese rice that goes perfectly when mixed with the remaining sauce and toppings.
Cheese Mazesoba (PhP 430)
Menya Kokoro whole wheat noodles
For desserts, we had their Matcha Ice Cream (PhP 90) and Kurogoma Ice Cream (PhP 90). Both these ice cream flavors remind me of our Japan trip, particularly Arashiyama and Kuromon Ichiba Market. More than the matcha though, here I liked the black sesame more because of its creamy sweet nutty finish.
Price for Value:
Menya Kokoro is the largest mazesoba restaurant chain in Japan, and it’s definitely showing no signs of slowing down. Here, even without the soupy ramen, there’s no denying the beauty of a great bowl of mazesoba. The springy noodles, the great quality of ingredients, and the creaminess of the sauce all bring a successful dish that justifies a good value for its price tag. It’s pure bliss, even on the hottest of days, and the good news is there are more variations of mazesoba you can expect to try at Menya Kokoro in the coming months. Check it out.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Ramen has become very popular in the US and by reading this article, I can tell that some restaurants in the US are “americanizing” their dishes. I love the real descriptions you have provided. Thank you!
I have never had mazesoba before but it looks amazing. I love all the great combination of flavors. Especially the Zenbu mazesoba! Yum!
Wow, your entire meal looks delicious! I think I would love a bowl of mazesoba.
This is my kind of food. Everything looks amazing! I would love to eat here one day.
What delicious food options! The matcha ice cream sounds so yummy, especially on a hot day like today!
This looks like a great place to grab a meal. I always like trying the local cuisine when we visit places.
I have never heard of soupless ramen before! That sounds like a really interesting dish.
Wow! This restaurant look soooo amazing! And the food… they are all mouth watering. I’ve never been in the Philippines but I heard a lot of beautiful places here.
My daughter has really been interested in Japanese culture and I bet she would love going there. I have always been curious about trying new foods so I think I would be down to take her there and eat new things.
These dishes look so good!!! Looks like a feast!
This looks like such a fun adventure! I’ve never traveled here before but I’m adding it to my bucket list because of your blog posts!
These dishes all look so amazing! I am salivating right now. I wish we had a Menya Kokoro here in Sacramento, CA.
I have never tried mazesoba before but it looks really good. I love all the great combination of flavors.
I love Japanese food, especially ramen. This restaurant looks amazing! I want to try their menu,
WOW, all the food looks delicious, I will make sure to visit next time I am in town. Yummy food
It looks delicious it has been a while I had good Japanese food. Both appetizer and noodles looks yum.
Everything looks really delicious! I can see why it is such a popular restaurant chain.