Hanamaruken Ramen — Restaurant in Muntinlupa

Hanamaruken Ramen has always held a certain promise of comforting warmth, and our recent visit to their ATC branch certainly delivered, exceeding expectations in more ways than one. We indulged in a delightful spread, featuring their famed Signature Happiness Ramen (Whole), the classic Tonkotsu Ramen, a vibrant Salmon Roll, and crispy Chicken Karaage. The star of the show, without a doubt, was the Signature Happiness Ramen (Whole). The name itself sets a high bar, but what truly astonished was the sheer generosity of the pork rib serving. When they say "whole," they mean it! A colossal, tender slab of pork practically dominated the bowl, a sight that genuinely surprised and delighted us. It was a far cry from the often-modest portions one might expect, making it an instant standout. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, infused with a subtle sweetness that complemented the savory broth beautifully. Speaking of the broth, it offered a different profile than the intensely creamy Tonkotsu we often encounter. Instead, it presented a more nuanced and flavorful experience. It was rich and deeply satisfying, carrying a lovely depth of umami that coated the palate without feeling heavy. While those who prefer an ultra-creamy texture might find it slightly different, the robust flavor profile was undeniably enjoyable and left us wanting more with each slurp. In contrast, the Tonkotsu Ramen provided a familiar and comforting experience. The broth, while perhaps not the primary focus after the spectacle of the Happiness Ramen, was still well-executed. It possessed that characteristic milky richness, clinging beautifully to the thin, springy noodles. The accompanying toppings – tender chashu, nori, and scallions – were all fresh and contributed to a well-balanced bowl. Beyond the ramen, the Salmon Roll offered a refreshing counterpoint to the rich broths. The salmon was fresh and the roll was expertly prepared, providing a light and flavorful interlude. Similarly, the Chicken Karaage was a delightful crispy treat. The chicken pieces were juicy on the inside and boasted a satisfyingly crunchy exterior, seasoned just right. It made for a perfect appetizer or a side to complement the hearty ramen bowls. What truly impressed us about our Hanamaruken experience was the undeniable value for money. The portion sizes, particularly the monumental Signature Happiness Ramen, were incredibly generous. To receive such a substantial serving of high-quality pork at that price point felt like a genuine steal. This "bank for the buck" factor, combined with the delicious flavors and satisfying meal, makes Hanamaruken Ramen ATC a place we will undoubtedly revisit. From the surprising abundance of the Signature Happiness Ramen to the flavorful broths and enjoyable side dishes, our dinner at Hanamaruken ATC was a resounding success. It's a place where you can expect not only a delicious and comforting meal but also a genuinely generous serving that leaves you feeling satisfied and eager to return. If you're looking for a ramen experience that offers both quality and quantity, Hanamaruken Ramen ATC is definitely...

Our visit was spur of the moment as we were just craving for ramen and really wanted something nice for the weekend.

SIGNATURE HAPPINESS RAMEN (Whole, P580 + 50 for aji tamago) I think this is one of the most sulit ramen purchases because it really is happiness in a bowl. The slab of pork belly was ginormous. You'd think the broth combined with the well-seasoned pork would be overwhelming, but it wasn't. There was balance and the whole meal was relaxing.

BLACK GARLIC RAMEN (P445 + 50 for aji tamago) It was okay, the garlic wasn't too intense which I liked. It's not as special, but I think the price is fair for its quality. The last ramen I had before this was too salty, and I'm glad that while the broth was rich, it wasn't heavy on the palate. The noodles were perfect as well!

GYOZA (4 pcs, P125) They have an option for add ons and we chose this so we can order more sides. The gyoza was cute lol but it's packed. It's not steamed wrapper at all! I liked that it's ginger-y because it's refreshing to the palate after all the umami that we've had.

SPICY NANBAN KARAAGE (P380) Not spicy at all. This one I did not like much. The teriyaki sauce was a little too salty for me and it doesn't do well with the chicken's seasoning. But compared to other ramen joints, their serving was bigger.

SALMON ABURI SUSHI (6pcs, P320) The salmon tasted fresh, and I liked that it was bite-size since I am not a fan of oversized rolls. Wasabi and sauce could definitely be better.

EBI TEMPURA (P580) I thought, at first, it was too pricey. And I expected like 3pcs ebi because that's the standard. But no, it's six giant pieces. It was soooo tender and nice. The only thing I did not like was the sauce. Didn't taste like anything.

PEACH LEMON ICED TEA (P90) Loved the taste of honey + citrus! It's a bit on the sweet side, but it resets the palate perfectly.

Side note: if you can, please improve your service water. Tasted like steel and set...

This resto has always been in my Top 3 ramen joints even from before the pandemic. Last night was my first time dining-in since 2019. We've been ordering from them through Grab but quality is never the same as having your food served straight from the kitchen. The Signature Happiness Ramen has always been my go-to dish here, the wifey had the Black Garlic ramen and we shared an order of Gyoza and Edamame. The broth of Sig Happiness seemed to have lost some of its "zing", lacking umami as compared to before. It's still good, just not as good as before. The beef however remains melt in your mouth texture. The Garlic ramen was also ok, but my go-to for this flavor profile remains to be that of Ramen Kuroda. Gyoza (smallish compared to other restos) and Edamame (it's actually spicy) were ok.

The disappointing part of our experience was the service. Took more than 30 minutes for our orders to come out. The other group that arrived after us got their orders first. After following up it turned out our orders did not reach the kitchen for some reason. Strange that the servers did not notice the delay, had we not followed up they wouldn't have prepared our orders.

This ATC branch is kinda smallish, and I don't understand why one of the long tables near the kitchen/cashier was being used as a staging area for Grab/Food Panda orders instead of being given to waiting dine-in customers.

With what we experienced we are probably going to think twice before dining there again despite my love for the Signature Happiness Ramen. Maybe just revert back to ordering from Grab. We end up being disappointed...