Dotonbori Ramen - Ayala — Restaurant in Cebu City

I had the pleasure of enjoying a delicious Japanese meal. I was able to taste their Ramen, Gyoza, Karaage (both the original and spicy flavors), matcha ice cream and a lot more that I forgot the names hehe and I can confidently say it was an unforgettable experience.

The star of the meal was undoubtedly the ramen. The broth was rich and savory, with just the right balance of umami, and had a depth of flavor that only comes from hours of slow simmering. The noodles were perfectly cooked, firm but not too chewy, and absorbed the broth beautifully. I opted for the Hakata Deluxe Ramen, and the creamy, pork-based broth had a satisfying richness without being too heavy. Topped with tender pork, a perfectly boiled egg, and fresh green onions, each bite was a comforting delight.

The gyoza was equally impressive. Each dumpling had a golden, crispy sear on one side while the rest remained tender and juicy. The filling was packed with flavorful pork and vegetables, and the dipping sauce complemented them perfectly, with a nice balance of soy and vinegar. They were a great appetizer to start the meal and left me wanting more.

The karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a lightly seasoned coating that allowed the chicken’s natural flavors to shine through. It was perfectly fried, not greasy, and came with a small squeeze of lemon to cut through the richness. The accompanying dipping sauce was a nice touch, adding just the right amount of kick without overpowering the dish.

For the meal-ender, I tried a scoop of their matcha ice cream, and it was everything I hoped for and more. The flavor was a perfect balance of earthy, slightly bitter matcha with just the right amount of sweetness. It wasn’t overly sweet like many ice creams tend to be, which allowed the vibrant, green tea flavor to shine through. The texture was smooth and creamy, with a richness that melted beautifully on the tongue.

What I appreciated most was how well the ice cream captured the essence of matcha without being too overpowering. It had a refreshing quality that made each bite feel like a small indulgence. The subtlety of the matcha paired perfectly with the cool creaminess of the ice cream, making it a soothing, almost meditative treat.

Whether you're a matcha enthusiast or new to its flavor, this ice cream is a delightful way to enjoy the unique taste of green tea in a sweet, chilled form. Highly recommended for anyone craving something different and sophisticated!

All together, this meal was a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Whether you're a seasoned ramen lover or new to Japanese cuisine, this is a must-try. Highly...

I wanted to try Japanese ramen, so I visited this place for the first time. It seemed the tonkotsu ramen was sold out, so I ordered the tonkotsu shoyu ramen, gyoza, and tempura rice bowl.

The gyoza were slightly larger than usual, with a good amount of filling, but the skin was a bit thick. Overall, they were just okay—not particularly good or bad.

The tonkotsu shoyu ramen tasted better than other ramen shops I’ve tried here. However, the noodles were definitely made to suit local preferences in the Philippines, so don’t expect authentic noodles. On the bright side, the chashu pork was thick and delicious.

The tempura rice bowl had three shrimp on top of the rice, covered with a sweet sauce that matched well with the rice. However, the white rice itself was a bit soggy, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up. Also, most of the shrimp was just batter — they looked big because of the thick coating.

Overall, I thought this place was tastier than other ramen shops around. The staff were very polite and friendly, always smiling when taking my order or...

Our overall experience at this place was very mid. We had dinner on a sunday night and were seated promptly.

We ordered tonkotsu ramen, ebi chahan, gyoza, karaage and wagyu beef. The food took a while to arrive, especially the chahan which arrived last.

First - the ramen. The soup had a slight sweetness that I did not prefer. I found the noodles quite soggy. The pork, while very lean, was quite tender actually.

Next, the beef. It was very tender almost eerily so. The gyoza was just normal.

As for the karaage, its kind kf hard to mess karaage up so it was good as expected. The chahan was for my dad so I didn't get to taste the rice but the shrimp on top were overcooked.

Overall the food was just okay. The service could be a little better. Will probably look for another restaurant when considering...