Machida Shoten Japanese Ramen - Hai Bà Trưng — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

🍜 tsukemen 🇻🇳 machida shoten vietnam / district 1, ho chi minh city 🗓️ 08/08/2024

(@wei.oframen on ig for my ramen adventure 😚)

ngl I usually avoid the big chains because I feel like they are just not worth the time and effort. I've never been to the honten so I have no idea how this will compare either. However, I got baited by the tsukemen summer promo here. They are currently serving their tsukemen at 119k, down from the regular 189k. So Machida Shoten is known for its Iekei offerings but after this bowl, I don't know if I'll ever revisit to try their regular ramen lol. The dipping broth is probably the same tonkotsu shoyu that they use for their ramen, but a decent dose of gyofun was added. The broth was much thinner and lighter compared to what I usually crave in an Iekei so that fish power really added the additional umami and complexity that this bowl needs. The noodle pairing was fine for this thin soup but they were a touch inconsistently cooked. Some strands were mushier than the rest so they probably didn't shock the noodles through cold water thoroughly. I think the toppings were the worst part of the whole meal, especially the dry, paper-thin chashu. At 119k, this was somewhat passable but I wouldn't pay the full...

During my 12-day stay in Ho Chi Minh City, I visited Machida Shoten Japanese Ramen at least four times—and wow, what an experience! The ramen was absolutely incredible, and I made sure to finish the entire bowl every single time. The cozy, relaxed atmosphere made it perfect for solo dining. I’d just pop in my earphones, watch something on YouTube, and enjoy an amazing bowl of miso ramen while sitting at the counter. As a big ramen fan, I can confidently say this was one of the best bowls I’ve ever had. I craved it so much that every couple of days, I found myself going back, not even bothering to try any other ramen spots. I can see why this place has such glowing reviews.

The staff were always attentive, and service was incredibly quick—my ramen was served within six minutes every time. You can customize your bowl, choosing how you want your noodles cooked, the level of oil, and whether you prefer it mild or spicy. The quality of the ramen was consistently high, and despite going during the evening (around 7:30 or 8:30 pm), I never found it overly crowded. I highly recommend Machida Shoten for anyone visiting Ho Chi Minh City who loves ramen. It's a...

Unfortunately I expected the same level of service that I had experienced at other restaurants in this area. Sadly, the food, service nor atmosphere delivered. The "spicy miso ramen" was not spicy and tepid on arrival. The service was minimal. For the price point I expected better, but, sadly, it was not to be. I kindly asked for the bill when 3 women were standing around doing absolutely nothing and I was directed to the cashier to receive and pay the bill. Eventually the bill was brought to the table but was incorrect and was amended (the fee was increased) when I went to pay. The staff are drab and inattentive, the food is poor, and the gyoza is particularly oily and lacking in filling. As for the atmosphere, this restaurant had none, save for the two grown men sitting near me loudly interacting on their phones as if everyone should be interested in their conversation. My advice is to avoid...