Ramen is our ultimate comfort food, especially when it is raining really hard. A steaming hot bowl of noodles always cheers us up even on the gloomiest of days.
In our search for the best ramen in Manila, we were surprised to discover that UCC also serves Tonkotsu Ramen in a special branch in Makati. The Tonkotsu Ramen is similar to the one served in Genya in Hobbies Mall of Asia.
But UCC’s best ramen is the spicy one that is a mix of Chinese Sichuan noodles with sesame paste and Tonkotsu sauce called Tan Tan Mian!
The BEST RAMEN in Manila Series 2013:
- RAMEN NAGI: BUTAO Gourmet Ramen now in Manila! @SMAuraPremier
- RAMEN DAISHO UKKOKEI: Hakata Tonkatsu Ramen and Yakibuta Chahan!
- TAMPOPO たんぽぽ: Deluxe Black Pig Shabu Ramen and Top Grade Black Pig Tonkatsu!
- IKKORYU FUKUOKA RAMEN Philippines’ Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen!
- RAMEN SANTOUKA PHILIPPINES: Legendary Hokkaido Ramen now in Manila!
- RAMEN YUSHOKEN: Guide to the Best Ramen House in the South!
- MITSUYADO SEI-MEN’s Double Cheese Sauce Tsukemen!
- NOMAMA (2x) But You
- UCC’s Tan Tan Mian Tonkotsu Ramen!
- GENYA Tonkotsu Ramen
- RAMEN BAR – One of the Best Authentic Japanese Ramen Places in Manila?
- TAMAGOYA! Ramen
- UKOKKEI RAMEN RON – One of the Best Shoyu Ramen in Manila!
This UCC branch is the only branch that serves Japanese-style Ramen, Donburi, and Hand Drip Coffee. It is located in the Petron Gas Station along Edsa corner Pasay Road (where Va Bene Pasta is also located).
Special Menu: Tonkotsu Ramen, Tan Tan Mian, Assari Torigara Supu Ramen, Japanese Donburi
Regular UCC Menu: All Day Breakfast, Hand Drip Coffee, Pasta and Rice Plate, Salad and Sandwiches, French Toast, Coffee Coolers and Desserts, Beverages and Hot Drinks
Tonkotsu Ramen (P359 +10% service charge). Noodle with a pork bone broth – Miso (soybean paste) usually has a cloudy white colored broth. It is similar to the Chinese baitang and has a thick broth made from boiling pork bones, fat, and collagen over high heat for many hours, which suffuses the broth with a hearty pork flavor and a creamy consistency that rivals milk or melted butter.
I was first introduced to Tonkotsu Ramen by Genya, and I instantly loved it because of its milky sauce. It is served with half-slices of soft-boiled eggs.
With just the first sip of soup, you’ll surely fall in love with it. The UCC version is bigger and can be shared by two people. The noodles are fatter too. I do hope that they can serve it super steaming hot, though.
★ Tan Tan Mian (P359 +10% service charge) is a classic dish of Chinese Sichuan cuisine. It consists of a spicy sauce containing preserved vegetables, chili oil, minced pork and scallions served over noodles. Our Japanese version is served with sesame paste, which gives a sticky consistency using “Tonkotsu” soup base.
Tan Tan Mian is a spicy version of the Tonkotsu ramen. It is also milky but with a sesame peanut taste.
It resembles laksa but is thicker, milkier and, definitely, yummier. 🙂 Super sarap if you like spicy soup!
The ramen dishes cost P395 each (including service charge). Although pricey, they are big enough for two people to share.
Char Siu Don (P399 +10% service charge). Donburi, literally “bowl”, also frequently abbreviated as “don”, is a Japanese “rice bowl dish” consisting of meat, vegetables, or other ingredients simmered together and served over rice.
We also tried the Char Siu Donburi with their special marinade. It was OK but not something that I would rave about. I don’t think the price tag is justified.
Yamato-Pan Croissanwich (Danish Shokupan) – (P115).
In this branch, they also have Yamato-pan breads. We bought this textured croissant for the boys’ baon.
Hokkaido Milk Bread (Hokkaido Milk Pan) – (P115).
Another interesting type of bread to try is their Hokkaido Milk Bread.
★ UCC Sumiyaki Hand Drip Coffee (P169 +10% service charge).
One thing we love about UCC is their signature Sumiyaki coffee. It is very strong (and I love it black).
It’s no secret that UCC’s cakes are made by Karen’s Kitchen (the wife of the owner of UCC). We love Karen’s Kitchen’s Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Ganache and Xanadu.
Note: You can order Karen’s Kitchen via Foodie Delivery 87878.
★ Chocolate Pinipig Crunch (P220).
In UCC, we recommend this Chocolate Pinipig Crunch served with Vanilla Ice Cream. It goes so well with the Sumiyaki Coffee!
This was indeed the perfect UCC experience for us. For sure, we’ll be back to visit our new favorite branch. 🙂
This is the only UCC Park Cafe Express, and it’s called Express not because the food is served fast but (I’m guessing) because it is along the EDSA Expressway. 🙂
UCC Park Cafe Express
Petron Gas Station
Edsa corner Pasay Road
Operating Hours: 6.30am to 1.00am daily.
The BEST RAMEN in Manila Series 2013:
- RAMEN NAGI: BUTAO Gourmet Ramen now in Manila! @SMAuraPremier
- RAMEN DAISHO UKKOKEI: Hakata Tonkatsu Ramen and Yakibuta Chahan!
- TAMPOPO たんぽぽ: Deluxe Black Pig Shabu Ramen and Top Grade Black Pig Tonkatsu!
- IKKORYU FUKUOKA RAMEN Philippines’ Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen!
- RAMEN SANTOUKA PHILIPPINES: Legendary Hokkaido Ramen now in Manila!
- RAMEN YUSHOKEN: Guide to the Best Ramen House in the South!
- MITSUYADO SEI-MEN’s Double Cheese Sauce Tsukemen!
- NOMAMA (2x) But You
- UCC’s Tan Tan Mian Tonkotsu Ramen!
- GENYA Tonkotsu Ramen
- RAMEN BAR – One of the Best Authentic Japanese Ramen Places in Manila?
- TAMAGOYA! Ramen
- UKOKKEI RAMEN RON – One of the Best Shoyu Ramen in Manila!
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Full Disclosure: We paid for our meals and we are not connected in any way with the owners of this establishment.
★ Happily recommended 🙂
P.S. This Petron Gas Station is turning into a Foodie Haven after all. 🙂
being a ramen lover myself, i am constantly in search for different places that serve it! thank you for making it much easier =) cheers!
Anton,
do you know if that’s the only branch that will be serving the ramen? or will they eventually serve ramen at the other branches?
I think this will be the only branch that will carry it to maintain the quality of the ramen. Otherwise, once they expand, they will commercialized its taste.
Also try frutti froyo! Taro and peanut butter yogurts are sooooo good!
Is that nearly a Japanese restaurant? Did they served sushi?
I still think that Ramen is underappreciated in the Philippines. It goes the same with Pho. Now, I was wondering if there is a place in Manila that serves good Thai Boat Noodles?
One correction in the article and maybe in many Japanese restaurants that may not be “authentic”…
Donburi is a larger “bowl” like used in serving ramen and not a rice bowl that is smaller.
Jubako is a laquered box that is also used in serving rice toppings.
In some case, this is mixed up. In UCC’s case particularly, they use the Jubako but call it xxxdon, which is totally wrong.
It should rather be xxxju. JU is an abreviation of jubako ofcourse.
Hi Dogz,
Us Japanese eat noodles as a meal. We eat Ramen with a bowl or rice even.
But the Filipinos don’t have a culture of eating noodles as main dish.
That’s maybe one reason that ramen houses didn’t get to be very popular here except from tourist locations such as in Mabini, Manila, which is ofcourse catered to the Japanese and their guests.
But then, I see that things are changing as I’ve already heard of a few deals that is under negotiation to bring in famous Japanese ramen houses here, just like in Singapore.
For ramen lovers, we definitely have a bright future in the PH!
Hi, would you happen to know if they do “Kaedama” servings.. or rather, do they serve extra servings of just the noodles to be placed onto your soup?
I would really like to thank you for his post. I’m now planning to visit the place because I really missed eating Tonkotsu ramen in japan.. where I usually get 2~3 Kaedama’s during each meal 🙂