Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya The Podium
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We get mazesoba from here almost every month! One of the best dining options at The Podium and pretty consistent too with the quality. We always order the original Tokyo and Zenbu and have also tried the black garlic ramen, all of which are tasty and very satisfying. Another staple is their potato salad which is highly addicting. It's a no-frills place for your maze soba fix and we highly recommend it if you want something fast and delicious. Service could be better though as it differs depending on the staff - sometimes it could be overzealous while some could be dismissive. Some will offer the specials, loyalty perks, and attentively offer the oimeshi while some will do just the basic - take your order and serve them (you'd also have to call them for the oimeshi). The chashu also had a weird taste before but lately it has improved; it doesn't taste old anymore nor is it tough/chewy. The AC is also inconsistent; we've gone twice where it's so warm inside we were sweating. We called the attention of the staff but they said they can't do anything about the AC. Lately though it's a lot better. Overall, we'll continue to visit and hope they continue to make incremental improvement in the service and AC.
Moonchild
00
Time for Tokyo's #1 MazeSoba. This place serves Mazesoba which is a dry-style noodle dish with no broth but it does have plenty of sauce in it. The flavor comes from the meat mixture and the toppings. "Original flavor" is a little spicy. Not spicy version is also available. Honestly, the heat is really mild so better choose the original to get an idea what it's all about. I was then was advised by the staff to mix the dish thoroughly. There are dry seasonings on the side of the bowl so mixing it will make sure it all balanced out. Elevate the taste further with the Kombu Vinegar or Togarashi which you sprinkle on top of your noodles. Finish the soba with a scoop of rice which you mix with the remaining sauces in the bowl. Didn't order any appetizers in the beginning because as I suspected, the Makezoba is heavy enough for me. Price points is the same with a ramen in a typical Japanese restaurant. Quite a lovely meal I must say. Staff is friendly, efficient and the service is good. Place seems small from the outside but it is actually huge, very clean and well lighted. Free Black sesame ice cream is indeed a fun way to end a good Soba meal.
DanAGo
00
Mixed Experience at Menya Kokoro! I recently dined here and sampled their tantanmen dish. The menu allowed for no customization, offering no choice of noodles and firmness. Opting for a mild flavour, I found the broth surprisingly lacking in richness, closer to clear ramen than the expected robust tantanmen profile. The pork slices, boiled rather than fried and glazed, deviated from the norm, leaving me undecided if it's a preference or an atypical preparation. The diced pork lacked significant richness, and the vegetable mix of chive and sweet corn failed to compensate for the overall flavor profile. The unagi was passable, although receiving only half the expected egg and a deviation from the typical soy-soaked brown colour left room for improvement. The absence of chopstick and spoon stand-offs in a restaurant with a 4.8 rating was unexpected and impacted the dining experience. While the service was prompt, the need to request basics like tea and other amenities fell short of the anticipated seamless service associated with a high rating. The ambiance was notably lacking, with bright lights and basic decor, earning it a low score of 3. In conclusion, while Menya Kokoro boasts a 4.8 rating, my experience suggests a more nuanced evaluation. I would rate it 3 for ambiance, 4 for food, and 4 for service. Give me a branded glass for me sapporo beer and not some generic piece of glass 😆
David ONeill
00
March 2025 I was a bit disappointed when I returned. The mazesoba is not as good as when I tried it before. There is less meat that is included and the flavor is not as good. The noodles' texture is still great, but the sauce and the components did not taste that good to come back for. I tried it again after a year, but I think I would not willingly try it again. *Also I am not sure if the aircon was not working, but it was hot inside the restaurant _______ March 2024 I'd recommend this restaurant if you're looking for something new to try or if you want noodles. The flavor profile of the mazesoba is great, and with the vinegar, you can have 2 differeng experiences. The pork was tender and delicious. The sauce tastes yummy. The rice they give at the end sucks up the leftover sauce so you don't have anything leftover in the bowl afterwards. The gyoza was also great. Crispy on the outside. Soft and tasty on the inside. The sauce is also quite different from most other sauces I've tried. Service was really great and I commend how friendly they are. They would explain what mazesoba is with a smile. So really great service!
Aud S
00
Tokyo Mazesoba - Menya Kokoro is a delightful dining spot in Podium Mall that brings an authentic taste of Japanese cuisine to the heart of the city. Specializing in mazesoba, this restaurant offers a unique noodle experience that is both flavorful and satisfying. I opted for their signature Zenbu Mazesoba, which is a delightful bowl of flavorful noodles tossed with savory sauce, topped with fresh vegetables, a perfectly cooked egg, and chashu pork. The dish was visually appealing and, more importantly, bursting with flavors that fused together beautifully with each bite. The texture of the noodles was just right—chewy yet smooth, and when mixed with their special sauce, it was pure perfection. The experience at Menya Kokoro is interactive; you mix all the ingredients together yourself, ensuring each forkful is packed with all the delightful elements. I also tried their gyoza on the side, which was crispy, juicy, and a great complement to the noodles.
Franz Thomas Martin
00
Food taste so-so. Good staff service 👍. Atmosphere is just okay. We ordered unagi mazesoba, zenbu mazesoba, mazedon and black sesame ice cream. Total bill was almost PHP 1,700 including service charge. Serving size was acceptable but its more on carbohydrates. The mazesoba noodles is exactly the same as the noodles used in "lomi" not authentic japanese noodles 🤔. The staff mentioned that they give 1scoop of ice cream as freebie for submitting reviews on google thus to encourage clients to post reviews. Initially I posted positive review as it was okay. However after few hours from eating there, we all had stomach ache and one of us even had LBM so I decided to update on my review 😣 Unfortunately, we won't be going back to this restaurant. Almost no one's eating there. Lesson learned - be wary and avoid eating at food establishments that has no / very few customers. Eat at your own risk. 🙏
Mona Ong
00
Nearby Attractions Of Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya The Podium
Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria by IHG
Astoria Plaza
Astoria Vacation & Leisure Club, Incorporated
The Linden Suites
Discovery Suites Manila
Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria by IHG
Ortigas Park
SM Skating - SM Megamall

Edsa Shangri-La, Manila
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Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
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Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria by IHG
4.4
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Astoria Plaza
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Nearby Restaurants Of Menya Kokoro Ramen Izakaya The Podium
Niu, The Podium
Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall
Sibyullee Unlimited Korean Barbecue (Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue)
Tong Yang SM Megamall
Din Tai Fung - Megamall
Gerry's Grill SM Megamall
Jin Joo Korean Grill
Manam Cafe
Texas Roadhouse Shangri-La Plaza
Burnt Bean

Niu, The Podium
4.8
(2.7K)
$$$
Click for details

Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall
4.8
(2.8K)
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Sibyullee Unlimited Korean Barbecue (Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue)
4.8
(1.6K)
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Tong Yang SM Megamall
4.8
(1.3K)
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Basic Info
Address
5th Floor, The Podium, ADB Ave, Mandaluyong, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines
Map
Phone
+63 2 8373 2094
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Website
menyakokoroph.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.8
(686 reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: Edsa Shangri-La, Manila, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria by IHG, Astoria Plaza, Astoria Vacation & Leisure Club, Incorporated, The Linden Suites, Discovery Suites Manila, Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria by IHG, Ortigas Park, SM Skating - SM Megamall, restaurants: Niu, The Podium, Vikings Luxury Buffet - SM Megamall, Sibyullee Unlimited Korean Barbecue (Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue), Tong Yang SM Megamall, Din Tai Fung - Megamall, Gerry's Grill SM Megamall, Jin Joo Korean Grill, Manam Cafe, Texas Roadhouse Shangri-La Plaza, Burnt Bean
