A new ramen restaurant chain, Hakata Ton-Ichi, recently opened its doors with their first branch in SM North, and their second branch in Glorietta’s Japan Town (Top of the Glo).
Whenever I walk around the Glorietta area, I very rarely go higher than the third floor. In fact, this might be the first time I’ve been to the fourth floor of Glorietta in recent memory. Well, it turns out that the fourth floor of Glorietta has recently been developed as a restaurant space – there’s even a section called Japan Town that is dedicated to Japanese restaurants.
HAKATA TON-ICHI
So it was here that I tried Hakata Ton-Ichi for the first time. Hakata Ton-Ichi provides affordable ramen for those who long for comfort after a hard-day’s work. We work hard everyday, but we can’t all be spending big dough for our ramen fix. Now, especially during cold, rainy days and nights, a hot bowl of good ramen is just the thing to warm our bones!
The Ramen
Hakata Ton-Ichi’s signature ramen is only P180 per order! They currently have 4 ramen flavors:
- Ton-Ichi Ramen (P180) – classic and good
- Red Ramen (P220) – this wasn’t as spicy as I had expected
- Miso-Ichi Ramen (P220) – strong miso flavor, my sister liked her order
- Black Ramen (P220) – with squid ink
I’ve been back to Hakati Ton-Ichi twice, and have been able to try the Ton-Ichi Ramen, the Red Ramen, and the Miso-Ichi Ramen. I like the Ton-Ichi Ramen the best! The tonkotsu broth is flavorful but not too rich. Hakata Ton-Ichi tags itself as the #EssentialRamen hence, their ramen doesn’t have the bells & whistles that more expensive ramen places include.
Hakata Ton-Ichi’s ramen is simple – thin, springy egg noodles in a flavorful broth, topped with aji tamago (soft-boiled ramen egg), a slice of delicious pork belly, and the corresponding toppings of the different ramen flavors, such as green onions, wood ear mushrooms, cabbage, fried garlic, etc…
They provide hot sauce and sesame seeds on the side (in the red sesame seed mill). I recommend grinding some sesame seeds on top of your ramen 🙂
Hakata Ton-Ichi Sets
Hakata Ton-Ichi also offers set menus, which are a very good deal, especially when you’re hungry!
They have the Essential Ramen Set, which is only P320, and includes your choice of ramen and your choice of fried rice, iced tea and fruits.
They also have the Ramen Don Set, which is P420, which includes your choice of ramen, your choice of donburi (rice topping), iced tea and fruits.
Their Hakata King Set is P500 and includes your choice of ramen, your choice of salad or sushi, your choice of gyoza or chicken karaage, and iced tea and fruits.
I got the King’s Set with Ton-Ichi Ramen, Gyoza, Potato Salad. The set already includes the Hakata Fried Rice, Fruits and Iced Tea.
Here’s my table companion’s Black Ramen King’s Set:
Other Sides
We also ordered their Cheese Gyoza (P160), which I liked. It’s gyoza swimming in cheese sauce, what’s not to like? 😀
Their quirky restroom sign also caught my eye 🙂
SUMMARY
For the times when one just wants simple ramen that isn’t too rich nor too fancy, and lighter on the pocket, Hakata Ton-Ichi’s ramens fit the bill. I like their signature Ton-Ichi Ramen, and for P180, it’s good ramen that won’t hurt your wallet.
Both times I’ve been to the Glorietta branch, the wait staff have been all-smiles and seemed happy to help 🙂
The past two weeks, I have been hungry and thinking about getting ramen at 11pm, and it’s always Hakata Ton-Ichi that comes to mind, because the ramen I like is only P180! Then reality sets in and I remember that they’re already closed at that time. 
I’m really hoping that they open more branches, specifically one nearby that is open until very late! I would much prefer going out at 11pm, 12mn or 1am to eat, when there’s no traffic, rather than resigning myself to instant noodles for midnight snacking. Hakata Ton-Ichi’s Ton-Ichi Ramen at P180 is actually just perfect for cold weather nights, without feeling like you’ve spent 2 days’ worth of your food budget. 🙂
Hakata Ton-Ichi
4F, Glorietta 2 (Japan Town, Top of the Glo)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hakata-Ton-ichi-PH-413704732460978/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakatatonichi/
