VERSUS: The Ramen Edition

I don't get to update the blog as often as I would like / should, so whenever I get back on and the internet at home is not as crappy as it usually is, I try to introduce new things on the blog (and hope to be able to get on with the concepts  for a long time). 

On a quite unrelated note (but somehow it is), Zayn is going to work with Donatella Versace for a campaign/line that will be released in June, I think and it is called Versus x Versace. Actually, it has sort of inspired this concept. But instead of going on about fashion, in which I knew nothing, really, I decided to put up two almost similar things, places, food and the likes up versus each other to emphasize its good points and points for improvement and rave about what I loved the most about them. Also, to give insights if you are to try them as well.

Basically, this part of the blog is a huge excuse to share some of my experiences as we travel and devour anything edible, being a certified foodie that we all are. So for the first ever edition VERSUS, I am going to go for the staple comfort food whenever life gets too stressful, at least for me: RAMEN!

Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish served with meat, eggs and vegetable topping in fish-based, soy sauce or miso broth. To be totally honest, I cannot differentiate them aside from the color of the broth (Ramen Nagi has black, red and green broth, I think?) and the obvious fish-meat difference and I do not have a specific toppings preference. I personally would choose laksa (Singapore's authentic noodle dish) over ramen in a heartbeat but I love ramen as another person does. The heat may be on for most parts of the year but the ramen craze is here to stay even on summer days! Recently, my friends and I have tried Ippudo Ramen and Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in Manila and it's now time to see how they fare against each other!

IPPUDO RAMEN

versus

HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA

A little background:

Ippudo first started in Fukuoka by Shigemi Kawahara, the CEO of Chikaranomoto Company. "Ippudo" means "one wind hall". The restaurant got its name because at the time, there were dark clouds over the Kyushu ramen industry, and the founder CEO Kawahara intended to "blow wind and revolutionise the era". (Straight off of their Wiki page)

The Place

Do note that this may vary depending on the branch that you may visit. Ippudo in SM Megamall is fairly okay, if you are into submersing to the actual culture and Japanese ambiance. They have long tables in which you could share with strangers who share the same cravings as you. The Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia branch has smaller area but it has separate tables, if you are more of the private type AND they have better lightings which also means: better selfies and photos taken.

Point to: Santouka (because of the better lighting, haha come on.)

The Food Aesthetic

* service charge not yet included

Point to: both (I cannot choose, really)

Value for the Money

Both are worth its price although if you are on a budget and you also want side gyoza and full bento rice dishes, Santouka may have an edge on this one. It gives you more value for your money. Maybe it's just me who prefer a spicier broth but I had to add some spices to my kara-miso ramen. But of course, preferences. 

Point to: Santouka

The Service

Santouka people are more accommodating but considering the size of the place and the number of  hungry customers during our visit, I guess the Ippudo staffs are nice as well.

Point to: both

Overall Tally

Ippudo: 2

Hokkaido Santouka Ramen: 4

But I love both and would 100% recommend. Also, RAMEN is life so let's try more ramen dishes and eat as much as we can!

And in Japan, too, soon... hmm? ;)

***

The next VERSUS post is about museums! I am excited to share them though I really hope I'd get to finish the post within the month. It's been a loaded one, being the birthday month and all but we'll see.

x