So Near And Yet So Far: How I Finally Scored Hokkaido Ramen Santouka's Trademark Ramen

Rewind (2011).

I started my search by googling the different shops at the Ramen Museum and finding out if we have a branch here in the Philippines. That was when I came across Hokkaido Ramen Santouka. I've begun associating the shop with the Ramen Museum, although I wanted to know whether HRS even had a branch there. I was drawn to a spectrum of rave reviews about the shop that I became fixated on. I was disappointed that back in 2011, there wasn't a Philippine branch to talk about.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka @ Tokyo Street, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

However, my hope rose when I learned there was a Hokkaido Ramen Santouka in nearby Kuala Lumpur, which happened to be on our travel list that year. You can imagine my excitement when I finally stepped on Malaysian soil. Aside from all the bright lights and exciting sights the city was known for, I was equally ecstatic to get a taste of that ramen from Hokkaido Ramen Santouka.

I reserved the best for last by scheduling a visit on our previous day at KL. I wanted it to be my last memory of the city! So when the whole family decided to have breakfast at Espressamente Illy Pavilion KL, I decided not to eat anything because I wanted it to be a feast when I finally got to dine at HRS.

I remember telling Bala and Tutapel to hurry to avoid being caught in the long queue. I remember running in front of my boys toward the 6th floor of  Pavilion Kuala Lumpur! Well, that was how excited and famished I was. 😁

Gorgeous Tokyo Street on the 6th Floor of  Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

But my excitement was replaced by disappointment when I discovered that the shop was still closed and we needed to wait another hour before it opened. That was impossible because we needed to make it to the LCCT-KLIA airport on time. I could only take this last picture and mutter "I Love You Goodbye" with a heavy heart.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka @ Tokyo Street, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Fast Forward (2013).

Much later, I discovered that Hokkaido Ramen Santouka opened its first shop in Glorietta 4 during the first quarter of 2013. But only recently did I finally get to try HRS's Trademark Ramen. My pretty, K-POPified friend Cel and I dashed to its Mall of Asia branch before we watched Lee Min Ho's My Everything Concert at the nearby Arena. We regarded it as a double celebration of sorts. 💜

K-DRAMA Fanatics at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia

Excitedly, we ordered their bestselling Tokusen Toroniku Ramen in two flavors: Kara-Miso for Mars Cel and Shio for Moi.

Tokusen Toroniku Ramen @ Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia

Moi enjoying my ramen @ Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia

Tokusen Toroniku Ramen (Shio Flavor). 

Along with Mars Cel, I ordered the small-sized ramen, which was enough to whet my appetite. I was told that Shio (Salt) was their bestselling flavor, and I couldn't agree more. At first, I didn't expect simple sea-salt-infused ramen to evoke so much depth of flavor. Oh, I was proven wrong. The milky-white soup was intensely flavorful, tasty, and delish, making me enjoy the ramen's chewy nature even more. And the Roasted Pork Cheeks. They were unbelievably soft, salty, and oh-so-good! The dish showed me the height of ramen because of its strong visual appeal, and the soup was harmonized beautifully with all the ingredients, marked by the lovely addition of the Pork Cheeks.

 Tokusen Toroniku Ramen (Shio Flavor) @ Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia

Small: Php 370

Regular: 430

Large: 490

Tokusen Toroniku Ramen (Kara-Miso Flavor). 

Mars Cel ordered the same intensely flavorful ramen but with a spicier nature which explains its reddish hue. If you're looking for a zestier alternative, use this ramen type.

Tokusen Toroniku Ramen (Kara-Miso Flavor)  @ Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia

Small: Php 390

Regular: 450

Large: 510

Additional Rave: HRS MOA had the most fantastic staff! Our servers cautioned us about the steaming hot ramen, happily indulged us by taking photos, and exhibited a charming and warm demeanor throughout our stay.

Tip: To give you an idea of which to order when you do get to visit, simply refer to Hokkaido Ramen Santouka's Menu found below:

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Mall of Asia

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Philippines

Website

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Malaysia

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