Roku Sushi + Ramen

Misua was driving through Katipunan this afternoon and saw a huge billboard for Roku Sushi + Ramen. It said that this new ramen joint was, get this, a whole six times better than "your usual Japanese meals". I'll have you know, we get our Japanese fix from the usual haunts in Manila - Omakase, Kimpura, Ramen Bar, etc. So it's not like I'm comparing Roku to something completely different and off its price point.

Roku Sushi + Ramen is on the 5th floor of the Oracle Building in Katipunan. Inside, its clean, sleek and has this modern Japanese theme going on. Kudos to the design team behind Roku's interiors.

The menu is pretty straightforward - ramen, rolls, donburi, sushi, some other things, and dessert. Misua ordered Roku Ramen, as our waiter recommended. I ordered the Negi Miso Ramen, a spicy pork and veggie noodle soup. Both were PHP219. Their ramen noodles are apparently handmade, so we had high hopes.

I thought mine was so-so. Noodle texture wasn't a winner. Veggies and pork servings weren't as generous as advertised. Could not believe I paid over PHP200 for this, when I could have enjoyed a Ramen Bar Chicken Karaage for just a few pesos more.

Then I tried Misua's Roku Ramen. It tasted like salt water! Yes I realize his was a soy sauce soup base, but it lacked a savory aroma, had no umami taste, and it had those same, starchy, icky noodles. We tend to gauge a ramen house's skill by looking at how well they prepare their boiled egg - whites should be solid, the yellows should be tender around the edges, with the center of the yolk being half cooked and runny - sort of like molten eggy heaven. Roku's was a plain old hard boiled one. Pooh.

Needless to say, we were gastronomically unsatisfied. We probably will never return.

Misua was SO sad that he fell on his back. Like that. Just kidding, the picture just wouldn't rotate properly. 

While were on the subject of noodles, here are some AWESOME ramen houses, in order of blow-your-mind yumminess:
1. Ajisen Ramen: An oldie but a goodie!
2. Ukokkei Ramen Ron: They're open again, come one come all, and don't worry, meeting the Ramen Nazi is part of the whole experience.
3. Ramen Bar: Limited menu, but trust us, you will not want be left wanting!

Lan Zu La Mien

Given that I work 6 days a week. I like my slow, lazy Sundays. Chance to recharge the batteries for yet another jam packed week.

My partner, Soba, has been able to write two posts already. Got to catch up (i like that word -- catch up)!

Went to Chinatown last week, my family and I wanted something simple and quick. I came across this authentic Chinese noodle shop named Lan Zu La Mien (LZLM). I've been here before and it's one of my faves. So, I guess it was a sign that my first post would be LZLM. Located in Tomas Mapua, Benavides (near Liberty Hall), San Fernando (in front of Citibank), Masangkay (in front of Metropolitan Hospital), this authentic Chinese noodle house has the feel of a hole in the wall tea shop.

LZLM has all the novelties of your authentic Chinese noodle house -- waiters in red uniforms, ability to see the cooks hand pulling noodles and wrapping dumplings, the mandarin-speaking Chinese owner, and did I mention the menu is also in Mandarin! -->

The great thing about LZLM are the dumplings and the noodles! The noodles are freshly made and the dumplings are simply delicious. In my more than 2 decades of eating noodles and Chinese food, I would dare say that LZLM has simply the best value for money food. A big bowl of beef noodles is only 90 pesos and its already very filling for a lunch or dinner. (Let me put it this way. In most noodle shops, I usually 2 orders in order to be full but in LZLM, one order is enough.) And if you still feel like splurging, you can add 110 peso for 15 piece dumplings! The dumpling skin is nicely done, not too tough and not too soft. And with the vinegar ginger sauce, its a nice combination.

The Verdict:

(out of a possible FIVE chopsticks)

Texture

The noodles have a fresh taste. Its not too soft, not too hard. Very well done for hand-pulled wheat flour noodles. For the beef, they didn't cut back with the size and portions. They still have tendon, to add flavor to the beef.

Taste

It's your typical beef noodles. It's nothing special but you're assured that the ingredients are fresh and you get around 6 pieces of beef for the order. However, it doesn't score that high because I can't imagine myself eating this everyday. There's a chance of getting bored with the taste.

Size

Did I mention its filling? Hehe. It scores high in size but I'm the type that want to have other food with my noodles. And with the size, it's hard for you to eat anything else.

Value

Less than 100 pesos for a full meal. Enough said!

Chopsticks up! Time to Eat! =)

Nissin Yakisoba - Spicy Chicken

I've been down in the dumps lately. It seems like whenever something good happens, bad news trails pretty closely.

Anyway, it's Sunday and OMN, that means another noodle needs to be reviewed. This time it's Nissin Yakisoba in Spicy Chicken. It's been around for a really long time! I think this is locally produced, cause everything's in English, including cooking instructions.

Nice - there are 2 ways to cook it. The easy way and the easier way. Of course you could go the easiest route and eat the crunchy noodles straight out of the bag, but hey, where's the challenge in that, right? :-p

Open it up and you get this - liquid seasoning, powdered seasoning, and a packet of dehydrated veggies and "chicken".

So, after putting the noodles in hot water and draining, this is what you get. Pale goodness. 

But not nearly as good as...

FINISHED PRODUCT! WITH AN EGG, TOO!

The Verdict:

(out of a possible FIVE chopsticks)

Texture

A little soft, which might not sit to well with people that like a bite in their noodles. I like how the noodles are kinda flat; more sauce can stick to them. The veggies and "chicken" add crunch, in as much as veggies and chicken actually can.

Taste

It's sweet! Like a sweet soy sauce based dressing. I don't know why it's called "Spicy Chicken" when I could barely taste the spiciness. I guess this could use a dash of hot sauce if you really wanted the spicy taste.

Size

Kind of small for a meal, but perfect for a snack! If you're particularly hungry, make 2 or 3 in one go.

Value

At 11 bucks, this can't be beat!

Nissin Deman Noodles - Chicken Sesame Ramen

This is a typical Sunday morning - wake up, bring down the dog, and wash up for breakfast. Breakfast is a no-brainer. Instant noodles! They have a bad rap for being high in salt and other unpronounceable chemicals, thus the once-a-week rule. Well, for the most part, that is. Could I make this blog an excuse to have them more often? Yes and YES! :-D

Anyway, I'll do this week's review on Nissin Deman Noodles - Chicken Sesame Ramen. Aside from the cooking directions, the package is mostly in Chinese, which contrary to my chinky eyes, I cannot read if my life depended on it. 

Here's what you get - noodles, powdered soup mix, and a small packet of fragrant sesame oil - I wish there was more of this.

It cooks for 3 minutes in boiling water, but I added an extra minute cause I like my noodles puffy. After taking it off the heat, mix in the powdered soup mix and the awesome sesame oil. 

Come to think of it, this tastes and smells like another chicken-flavored Nissin instant ramen I used to eat in grade school. Only difference, is, that one was neon yellow, while this one looks like a light broth. I guess neon food doesn't sell too well.

Anyway, this is what you get. I added sliced breaded chicken to jazz it up.

Unfortunately, that is a plain ol' chicken nugget. Sophistication just flew out the window.

The Verdict:

(Out of a possible FIVE chopsticks)

Texture 

Fine noodles (finer than regular ramen), but still nice and chewy. It even withstood my overcooking tendencies!

Taste

Tastes like chicken. No, really! :-p

Quite salty for my taste; had to add water to dilute the soup. Halfway through the bowl, I was so overwhelmed with the saltiness that I thought I'd had enough. But I am not one to leave a bowl of yumminess (however salty) unfinished. Weeee!

Size

It's huge! The package says 100 grams, and you cook it in 500 grams of water. Does that make total serving 600 grams? In any case, this WILL fill you up.

Value - N/A
Since my sister's friend Akhmed Mohammed got this for me, not sure how much it cost.