Marudori Salcedo — Restaurant in Makati

Summary: I've been put off for a long time because of doubts of how chicken ramen can be as good as pork. All I can say is I regret not trying Marudori sooner. If you love Mendokoro/Yushoken, you will love Marudori and dare I say you might even grow to love it more that the former two. Chicken broth that's rich and packed with umami as good or even better than any tonkotsu broth I've tasted before.

It was my first time to try Marudori and I went alone on a Friday night. I had the Shoyu Paitan ramen and it was divine. The broth was thick and smooth and the noodles just the perfect balance of chewyness and softness with just the right thickness. The charred chicken thigh on top was cooked perfectly - so juicy and tender and so flavorful. The ramen was 'fresher' and a bit lighter than the usual tonkotsu ramens. Garnishing with some greens also added some freshness to the dish which really complemented the rich broth. For a ramen that wasn't cooked with any pork, it could have fooled me for one. This is one of if not some of the best ramen I've had in the Philippines and on par or, for me, maybe even better than Mendokoro/Yushoken. I've been to Mendokoro so many times for ramen but dare I say Marudori's Shoyu might be my new go to ramen. If, however, you don't like Mendokoro's ramen, I don't think Marudori is for you. Despite it being made with Chicken, you still get that collagen rich broth exploding with umami that may be too rich for some people the same way Mendo's ramen may be for some people.

I also had their famous Gyoza that was kind of a hybrid between Xiao Long Bao and Gyoza. Again, so juicy and flavorful and packed with so much filling. The dough was just the right amount of thickness and the bottom was so crispy from how it was cooked. The dipping sauce with ginger go very well with the Gyoza. Something to note about the Gyoza though is that when I was there, it was served after the ramen was served even to the other customers probably because I assume that the Gyoza is cooked from frozen. Just something to note if you're expecting to have the it as an appetizer.

To summarize, the food is excellent. On par or maybe even better than Mendo or Yushoken. What disappointed me though was the service. Just having been to Mendokoro the day before, it's an understatement to say I'm familiar with the service they deliver. The staff are always attentive and efficient despite how busy and hectic the restaurant gets. Water is always topped up, the kitchen always moving, and no matter how busy, the staff is always so friendly and warm. I thought that since Marudori is less busy they would be able to match or exceed Mendokoro's service but I was wrong. (Just a disclaimer, what follows is just my own personal experience and what I felt when I was eating at the restaurant. You can see that I still rate them highly and me bringing this up is just a testament to how I hold the Nippon Hasha group and their restaurant to high regard not just in terms of food but overall dining experience.) Don't get me wrong, I was served well for the average restaurant but it is inevitable that you will compare Marudori to her sister restaurants, especially to the one just next door. Even though there were only just a bit more than 10 people in the restaurant, the staff were slower, less attentive, and colder. I didn't get the warmth and homey feeling I get when I sit in Mendokoro. Water wasn't topped up, staff were not as attentive, ramen was not as hot and was developing a film on top, etc. Like I said, for the average restaurant they did fine, but given their heritage and the price you are paying, you expect at least the same service Mendokoro provides if not better given that they're not packed at all.

Despite all this, I still believe that Marudori serves some of the best ramen you can get in the metro. Despite what I feel and experienced about their service, the ramen is just miles ahead of anything I've tasted in Manila. I can confidently say Marudori is another win for Nippon Hasha, and Manila ramen lovers...

This is frequently visited by coworkers and I was finally able to join them a few times the past month.

Shoyu Paitan Pretty hearty, rich, and heavy ramen meal. I don't think the eggs really complemented the ramen because of how rich the broth is. I guess the advice that you shouldn't finish the broth applies here.

All the ingredients meld together so the taste is good but a bit one note. Roast chicken is good but I couldn't identify any unique flavors.

Curry Maze Soba Uaite a spicy bowl. This was lighter than a bowl of ramen but still quite filling. It doesn't have the rich broth but counters with a lot of spicy. I would aay this is spicier than any Japanese curry I've had and is probably up there with the stronger options at the pick your spice level curry restaurants. I would prefer toning down the spice level. Definitely something ypu shouldn't order in a date or with business partners since you will be sweating! This should pair nicely with the gyoza to absorb some of the heat.

The restaurant is nicely furnished with a kind of counter seating so you are sitting beside each other. It is faithful to how you would eat at many restaurants in Japan (not just ramen shops) but I wouldn't recommend it for large groups because it will be difficult to get everyone involved in a single conversation. Not conducive to sharing food as well.

During our last visit, the air conditioning was working but not coping well with the heat.

Service is pretty attentive and you get your food promptly (but not gyudon/soba restaurant fast).

Price is a bit relative for me. If you want ramen this is a good option and you definitely get full from the money you spent. If you enjoy having multiple flavors with your meal, it can get expensive very quickly with...

Marudori’s Salcedo Village location holds a nostalgic charm, as this spot was once home to Mendokoro Ramenba’s original branch. Walking into the minimalist, clean space, it felt like an ode to the culinary past while embracing Marudori’s own distinct identity.

We ordered their famous Tantanmen, and it was every bit as delicious as I hoped. The broth was deeply flavorful, rich in umami, with a perfect balance of spice and creaminess. The noodles were cooked to the ideal texture, and the tender minced beef added a hearty, satisfying bite. Every spoonful was an explosion of flavor that kept us wanting more.

A special mention goes to the attentive staff, who noticed we were wearing white shirts and thoughtfully offered us something to wear over them, ensuring we could fully enjoy the meal without worrying about stains. It’s rare to encounter such a level of care in service.

My niece, who isn’t proficient with chopsticks yet, needed a fork. While they didn’t have one available, they quickly provided training chopsticks, which worked wonderfully. It was a thoughtful touch that made the experience all the more enjoyable for everyone.

To pair with the Tantanmen, I had a Sapporo beer, served ice-cold and perfectly refreshing alongside the hearty ramen.

Marudori Salcedo’s thoughtful service, warm ambiance, and outstanding Tantanmen make it a must-visit for ramen lovers. It’s incredible to see how this iconic space continues to house unforgettable dining experiences. We’ll...