CHASING FOOD DREAMS: IPPUDO Ramen New Menu @ Pavilion KL

IPPUDO Launches New Menu for The New Year!

A new year beckons for new beginnings and in this case, a new menu! IPPUDO Malaysia is proud to present IPPUDO Ramen’s newly revamped menu featuring more than 20 new dishes. The acclaimed Japanese ramen chain is famed for their Hakata-style ramen. Founded by Shigemi Kawahara, dubbed Ramen King, IPPUDO is his stage in the culinary world. He developed his ‘Tao’ way of perfecting his own ramen recipe from the over 300 year-old dish and thus IPPUDO was born in 1985.

Members of the mainstream and social media publications were invited to a sneak preview of the new culinary creations to be offered at IPPUDO’s Pavilion KL and The Gardens Mall outlets from 1 April 2015. IPPUDO’s Regional Operations Consultant, Tomo Kudo was present to share IPPUDO’s growth and expansion as well as the new revamped menu. IPPUDO has grown from one to three restaurants in just a short span of two years in Malaysia and continues to expand across Asia with 6 stores in Asean region.

“We would like to thank our customers for making this possible by offering them a new menu that not only presents fresh innovative flavours but is friendly to their pockets, hopefully helping them to cushion the impact of the introduction of GST in Malaysia (to be levied at a rate of 6 percent beginning 1 April 2015). For example, our popular Shiromaru Motoaji previously priced at RM26 can now be enjoyed for only RM22.90. We hope that our new price points will also persuade more people to give IPPUDO ramen a try. We continue to offer premium food selections, but now at even more affordable prices.” added Tomo

Kicking off the evening, we really enjoyed both Matcha Smoothie (RM9.90) & Yakult Jelly Smoothie (RM9.90). The Matcha Smoothie was thick and bursting with intense flavours of good quality green tea notes. The fresh and tangy notes of Yakult Jelly Smoothie are definitely a winner for me as I enjoyed the freshness of the beverage.

Dashimaki Egg Roll (RM9) looked fairly plain at sight but once you tasted it, you will be craving for more just like me. The warm egg is superbly fluffy and creamy. The little dollop of mayo and cod roe is da bomb of flavours! Trust me and order this one…

The Spicy Boiled Gyoza (RM13) faired decent. It’s got a good hit of spicy flavours and the gyoza is well-made with a tender and flavourful filling.

I wanted to hog the whole Seared Salmon Roll with Mentaiko (RM19) plate to myself. It is utterly gorgeous and quite sinful. Salmon just lightly seared on the outside and gratin with salty umami mentaiko and cod roe. The fish melts-in-the-mouth and was a burst of salty, sweet and umami flavours that is divine…

Pork Grill (RM16) can with a sizzle. Pork loin was well marinated and tender. Served with corn, beansprout, greens, fried garlic chips and teppan sauce, the pork was decent and makes substantial protein fillers. I like that there are three vegetables on this plate too.

I am just a big hopeless foodie when it comes to rice. I love rice. So the Teppan Rice with Beef (RM25) was one of my favorite dishes that night. Reading of the menu, the dish is hot steamy tonkotsu rice served in sizzling hot plate, topped with beef, egg and cheese. Here’s what it should read like in my books… soft and fluffy rice with tonkotsu sauce jazzed up with luscious and creamy cheese, soft fluffy egg, crispy noodle bits and crowned with delightful tender beef and unctuous fried garlic. In summary, comfort yet sensual!

Ramen time… IPPUDO has introduced two new ramen, Shoyu Ramen and Akamaru Kakuni Ramen. But first up, we tasted their famed signatures starting with Shiromaru Motoaji (RM22.90). I must commend IPPUDO for their consistency. They have always nailed their Tonkotsu broth to a ‘T’. Simmered more than 15 hours, the broth is creamy, cloudy and full of meaty essence. I also like their chashu with a good cut of lean and fat and still am wishing for a thicker cut for extra satisfaction.

As mentioned before IPPUDO goes all out to please their diners and offer them a choice on how they prefer their ramen cooked from super hard to hard, normal or soft. It’s a great plus point because I happen to love mine super hard with a good bite. The ramen here is thin and lightly curly so the super hard texture is perfect for me. Ippudo also practiced the kae-dama system when one can order extra ramen alone to be added into one’s broth.

Akamaru Shinaji (RM24.90) is the jazzed up version of the Shiromaru Motoaji. This one has the tonkotsu broth amped up with a special blend of miso past and aromatic garlic oil. The miso added more depth and made the broth richer.

Karaka-Men (RM25.90) is another heavier version of their famed tonkotsu and this time, its another level of spiciness added with the spicy miso. I love the heat in this version. This is what I would certain order when I visit the restaurant.

Let’s focus on the new two ramens from IPPUDO. Shoyu Ramen (RM24.90) is perfect for those who prefer a lighter and less heavy broth. The shoyu broth is more delicate and easier to finish compared to the tonkotsu broth if you are not a fan of the heavier and creamier broth. IPPUDO’s chicken shoyu broth is rather mellow and soothing, perfect for lunch or dinner minus the heaviness. It is served with lean and soft pieces of pork loin, bamboo shoots, leeks and narutomaki. Despite the pork loin being lean, it is rather delicious and soft so I enjoyed this as well.

If you happen to be a die-hard fan of thick slab of braised pork belly, then you will love the new Shiromaru Kakuki (RM28.90). It is actually the braised pork belly in IPPUDO special soy sauce that is new and you can opt for this in all the three ramen – Shiromaru, Akamaru and Karaka. The pork belly replaces the chasu in the ramen. I think I got my wish when I wished for thicker cuts of pork on my last visit… thank you IPPUDO. The layers of lean and fat are obviously a must to give the pork its full flavour. The kakuni is moreish and delicious so this ramen is going to be my favorite one from now on…

The evening ended with Daifuku (RM9), mocha stuffed with ice cream. The dessert was sufficiently satisfying as a good ending and as a palate cleanser for the ramen.

There was also Cheese Stick which is served cold and very enjoyable too but I cannot seem to find more details about this dessert.

IPPUDO proves again why it is a contender in the ramen world. With the new menu and a reduction in pricing for certain items, ramen fans will certain be pleased with the Hakata-style ramen latest offerings. Topping my list of must-order are Dashimaki Egg Roll, Seared Salmon Roll with Mentaiko and Shiromaru Kakuki!

IPPUDO MALAYSIA

Lot C4.07.00, Connection Level 4,

Pavilion KL,

No 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang.

55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: +603 2110 6233

Lot-T218, 3rd Floor,

The Gardens Mall,

Lingkaran Syed Putra,

59200 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Tel: 03 2201 6238

Lot G110 Ground Floor,