Inosho Ramen — Restaurant in Makati

We recently visited Inosho ramen in Makati, drawn in by its hype and promising reviews. Wooden benches outside provided a waiting area, which was much needed given the long queue—we were 11th in line and our wait time was an HOUR before getting seated. (We arrived 2pm and got seated by 3pm).

Inside, the ambiance was actually nice with its modern Japanese look. Seating and tables were a bit cramped, luckily we were just 2 and the seats were comfortable. The lighting and background music were well-balanced, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. The staff was polite, well-trained, and knowledgeable about the menu, ensuring a smooth ordering process. However, while our ramen arrived quickly (within 5-10 minutes), the cauliflower kakiage took so long that we were already halfway through our bowls by the time it was served.

As for the ramen itself, the presentation was visually appealing, with neatly arranged toppings and a rich-looking broth. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t quite meet the hype or our expectations. The signature tonkotsu-gyokai broth had an overpowering fishy umami flavor that wasn’t to my liking. The Kara Kara ramen (same broth), on the other hand, had an excessive amount of spice powder that didn’t blend well, making each sip feel grainy in your mouth. While the noodles were perfectly al dente, the pork belly was overly fatty and thick, which further diminished our enjoyment. Even if we were hungry from the wait, we couldn’t even finish our bowls.

Overall, this ramen shop stands out for its unique pork-fish broth, but the lack of menu flexibility and intense fishy flavor make it a place I wouldn’t revisit. If you’re a fan of strong gyokai-style broths, it might be worth trying—otherwise, there are better ramen...

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience with authentic Japanese flavors, this new ramen spot might just become your favorite. Originating from a Japanese franchise, its innovative concept shines through in every detail, from the menu to the ambiance.

The ramen stands out for its flavor and quality. The broth, made with dashi, delivers a delicious seafood essence, while the pork adds the perfect balance, loves to complement with the add-ons in the table. The noodles have an excellent texture and thickness, elevating the main dish. Additionally, the portions are generous enough to pair with smaller side dishes, like rice bowls or vegetables, for a complete meal.

The drinks are another highlight. We tried one of their signature beverages the Sakura G&T and a highball—both were exquisite and paired perfectly with the food. However, if you plan to visit on a weekend, be prepared to wait: even at 9 PM, there’s a queue. We waited around 30-35 minutes, but the food and experience were well worth it.

The service is top-notch. Our server, JP, was friendly and attentive, adding to the overall experience. Unfortunately, we couldn’t try the dessert as it was sold out, but this only suggests how amazing it must be. Without a doubt, we’ll be returning to explore the rest of the menu.

This restaurant is family-friendly and offers child seats, making it a great option for those dining with kids. If there’s a queue, you'll need to sign up on the waiting list to secure your spot—don’t forget to check in! Once seated, you'll find helpful instructions on the table to enhance your dining experience, especially for their specialties: tsukemen and ramen. These tips will guide you on how to savor their signature dishes to...

We tried Inosho Ramen on a Monday afternoon. Even though it was the first day of the week, it wasn’t crowded at that time around 2-3PM which is great for those who prefer a more relaxed dining experience. We had the Kara Kara Uo Ramen and Special Inosho Tsukemen. The Tsukemen broth was on the salty side with a strong fishy kick from the bonito powder, surprising at first, but it grew on my palate. For some, this unique flavor profile might not be as appealing, especially if they’re more used to the taste from ramen houses like Mendokoro or Yushoken. Personally, I enjoyed the broth’s flavor. If you prefer less salty, ask for extra soup for the broth to dilute the saltiness and strong fishy flavor.

As for the ramen, my partner really enjoyed it and thought it can compare to other top ramen spots. However, she noticed a slight sweetness in the flavor profile which felt unusual for her taste, as she’s more inclined toward the rich umami style of ramen.

For the karaage, we both agreed it was just okay, but we’ve had better from other ramen houses. The Burnt Basque Cheesecake however, was good and worked well to cleanse the palate after the rich ramen flavors.

One downside we encountered was with their reservation system. We tried to reach out a day before our visit to reserve a table, but we didn’t receive any confirmation despite contacting them through the numbers they provided.

Overall, we enjoyed our experience at Inosho Ramen and would definitely come back when we’re craving the distinct...