Staying ahead of the game means continuous innovation. And Menya Kokoro has been doing exactly that since it arrived in Manila back in 2019 with its constant roll-out of creative culinary expressions. Known for their distinctive and award-winning mazesoba or "brothless ramen", Menya Kokoro continues to flex its creative culinary muscle with new seasonal offerings. One new ramen and two sumptuous bowls with mazesoba noods and another with rice topped with premium Wagyu A5 beef from Kagoshima. Ready for a tasty peek?
Menya Kokoro unveils three new seasonal offerings available only for a limited time led by the Wagyu Mazesoba, Wagyu Don and Iekei Ramen available in all branches starting this November. A savory trio of rich and indulgent notes await diners at Menya Kokoro reflecting the brand's commitment to continuous innovation. Now let's grab a bowl...
Now with three branches in the metro with the latest along A. Mabini in San Juan to complement its locations in The Podium and BGC, Menya Kokoro remains the go-to spot for the specialty Tokyo style mazesoba created by Chef Takuma Ishikawa. And Menya Kokoro has the awards to back it up from Japan's Best Mazesoba Award and Tokyo Ramen of the Year in 2014 just a year after it opened followed by #1 honors in 2020, 2021 and 2022, each bowl is a masterful culinary expression by Chef Takuma Ishikawa (for more on Menya Kokoro, see my posts #TokyosNumber1Mazesoba: Prepare For A New Ramen Experience by Menya Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba from its launch back in 2019 and Mazesoba, Yakitori, Kushiyaki, Kushikatsu And Highballs At The Newest Location Of Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya In San Juan on their latest and third location in San Juan from early this year). The new seasonal offerings continue the tradition that began in 2013 when Chef Takuma Ishikawa boldly entered the raging ramen wars with his bold rendition of mazesoba.
Inside Menya Kokoro, diners get a glimpse of the magic behind each comforting bowl of comforting goodness...
...but first, some refreshing libations. The Choya Spritz (P 225) with Choya Yuzu Liqueur, sparkling water and lemon immediately soothes the palate after just one sip...
...while the Lemon Sour (P 180) with Sochu, sparkling water and lemon brings a vibrant splash of citrusy notes guaranteed to brighten up any cloudy day or mood. The refreshing duo of lemony libations are just what you need to cleanse the palate with the indulgent savory richness from the new rich and savory trio by Menya Kokoro...
...starting with the Iekei (P 460), a rich blend of pork-soy broth with thick noodles tracing its origins to Yokohama. And because of its creamy richness, this type of ramen is often paired with rice just like the mazesoba to soak up the remaining broth. The origins of Iekei is a story in itself, credited to a former long haul truck driver inspired by the regional and flavorful variations of ramen along his route. The combination of tonkotsu shoyu or pork bone stock and soy sauce is unapologetically rich combining the western Kyushu pork bone stock with the eastern Tokyo style shoyu or soy broth in one bowl. The result? A robust pork-based rendition with intense soy notes and now a popular ramen expression with its own following. Menya Kokoro brings this celebrated expression of savory ramen goodness to local diners as part of its seasonal trio of tasty offerings.
Each bowl comes with rice to complete the experience with the rich broth and assorted toppings of tender chashu or roast pork, nori or sea weed, tamago or marinated egg and green onions. Then, there's the deep red Spicy Miso Paste. Add a generous dab to your bowl and savor each sip as it cuts through the richness of the broth for that elegantly balanced finish. The unrestrained richness and bold upfront savory notes are perfectly tempered by the Spicy Miso Paste for a unique and new ramen experience. Refreshingly different from the usual, one can see how multiple truck stops along a well-traveled route can inspire an indulgently rich bowl like the Iekei. And for a limited time, you too can enjoy this lavish ramen creation at Menya Kokoro.
Noods or rice? How would you like your Wagyu A5? The Wagyu A5 situation gets the signature Menya Kokoro treatment with the Wagyu Mazesoba (P 950) with the prized beef laid on noodles slathered in a thick sauce topped with egg, crispy garlic chips and green onions. This is next level mazesoba with the famed buttery richness, flavors and textures of Kagoshima's finest premium Wagyu A5 beef.
The traditional mazesoba and its various expressions served at Menya Kokoro are already rich and savory but the Wagyu Mazesoba is a class in itself. With premium beef, you don't have to complicate it and Menya Kokoro keeps it simple so you can enjoy the uncluttered flavors of the Wagyu A5 in its purest form. And it all comes together with that first tender bite...
...teasing the palate with the lingering savory notes of the exquisite Wagyu A5 followed by the flavorful bite of the noodles draped with its thick sauce made even richer by the egg and finished by the fresh, clean hints of the green onions and the crunch of the crisp garlic for that delectable textural contrast. I have my usual line-up of go-to mazesoba picks at Menya Kokoro, but this by far is at the top of my list.
Did you say rice? The Wagyu Don (P 880) paired with Wasabi and Ponzu Sauce is one more bowl of pure Wagyu goodness you just can't pass up. Topped with egg, crisp garlic and fresh green onions on soft and fluffy rice, each component complements the other while the rice just absorbs all the richness delivering a flavorful burst with each spoonful. It's a serious meal in a bowl.
After a few more loaded spoonfuls, add a dab of wasabi for a flavorful kick tempering the savory richness of the Wagyu A5. Change it up with a dip in the Ponzu Sauce to bring out even more flavors. The delectable sharpness of the wasabi and ponzu perfectly balances the hearty meal enhancing the flavors of the Wagyu A5. And before you know it, you're at the bottom of the bowl. From the Wagyu Mazesoba to the Wagyu Don and Iekei Ramen, Menya Kokoro's savory trifecta presents yet another chapter in innovation to stay ahead of the game.
As you enjoy your Wagyu Mazesoba, Wagyu Don or Iekei Ramen, the binchotan-fired grill draws your eyes. Order up some Yakitori...
...and another ice-cold Lemon Sour. Menya Kokoro also offers some serious yakitori fresh off the grill for a sumptuous izakaya dining experience.
The fragrant smoky hints teases your appetite and you're ready for a round of Reba (P 100) or chicken liver and Sunagimo (P 100) or chicken gizzard...
And yes, you want more. The Momo (P 100) or tender and juicy chicken thigh with its lightly crisp charred edges and the Torikawa (P 100) or chicken skin should seal the deal. A solid menu of go-to picks plus seasonal offerings like the Wagyu Mazesoba, Wagyu Don and Iekei Ramen are all the reasons you need to head over your nearest Menya Kokoro location.
Menya Kokoro is located at the Ground Floor of Gallery 7 of The Tile Gallery, A. Mabini Street, San Juan, Metro Manila. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/menyakokoroph and https://www.instagram.com/menyakokoroph/ for more information and updates.
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