With more people immersing more of their time into social media, Facebook added the ability for merchants to promote their business through the Facebook feed. Marketing is never a bad thing especially when competition is fierce like the huge hype for Japanese Ramen. With all those establishments like Ippudo, Ramen Santouka, Ukokei Ramen Ron and the like, any advantage adds up, and it was here on Facebook that I found out about it.

Modern, Simple and Elegant!

Years ago when we went to Tokyo, we had a long list of things to do but weren't able to because because the date of visit was a little far from the event's date. One of the things on the list is the Tokyo Ramen Show, a yearly event to showcase the different Ramen from the different provinces which happens during the end of October to early November.

As I was browsing the Facebook page of Ramen Iroha, it was clear that they were marketing that they've won the Tokyo Ramen Show for several years now. Consequently, I became interested in trying the dish that won over the wide variety of Ramen from the different Japanese provinces.

The Ambiance

Ramen Iroha can be found in the W Global Center along 30th St. corner 9th Ave at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. It is between IHOP and P.F. Chang's China Bistro. It is the usual modern building with a lot of steel and glass panels that makes you think whether or not the glass will reflect sunlight and bother the people passing by.

Once inside, you notice the ceramic tiles, the wooden structures and the elegant uniform patterns that are architectural signatures of its Feudal eras. You will also find a selection of majestic Japanese landscape photographs that add to the aesthetics. The design is more tamed than the opulent design language of Ippudo's Megamall restaurant and even so I find it elegant in its own way.

The Pork Niku Soba (Tonkotsu Ramen)

The Food

Ramen Iroha's ramen offerings are diverse to cater to each preference but no matter which dish I tasted it was that there was one theme which is that in each bowl you will encounter a variety of flavors that blend well together, and there will be that one prominent ingredient that shines just enough that it never over powers the other flavor. In fact, not one flavor over powers the other. It is true balance.

Each ramen is named for their main ingredient like the Toyama Black Soy-Sauce Ramen, Spicy Miso Tantan-Men and the Pork Niku-Soba and in each dish the soy-sauce and the pork meat respectively shines just enough to never over power the other ingredients that give you the relaxed satisfied feeling of balance.

Spicy Miso Tantan Men

The effect is that there is no initial wow factor which means that you never get sick of any flavor may it be the salt, meat or earthy which results to you unconsciously eating more and more of the dish.

Ramen Iroha's dishes seem to have not been made to wow you, but rather to introduce to you a form of balance that will mysteriously captivate you. No, they are not the best in terms of flavor or intensity but they are the best at balancing all, a Jack of All trades the master of none.

Served separately with Strong Broth and Cold Noodles with Condiments!

The last Ramen we got was the Tsukemen which is Japanese for dipping noodles where the soup and the noodles and condiments are served separately. Their version comes with cold noodles that perfectly clash with the strong broth. It was different but in a good way to what I was used to from Mitsuyado Sei-men.

I noticed that in some other ramen establishments some of my siblings would not finish their bowl, either noodles, soup or any other ingredient would be left behind, but here we finished all of it.

We finished all of it! No single ingredient was left!

The Service

When we arrived at the door we were greeted warmly by the signature 'Irasshaimase!' and were asked if we had a reservation. We said that we reserved a table for five and promptly lead to our table. They gave us our menu and recommended their best dishes while serving us tea.

The dishes we ordered came ten (10) minutes afterwards. We dug in and they stood their and did their job to wait and see if we need any special service. They really pay attention whenever our drinks run out and they fill it up again.

Their service is the standard polite and customer centric Japanese signature hospitality. Up until now, I have no complaints.

A huge Scoop of Green Tea Ice Cream!

The Price

Ramen Iroha offers their Ramen in two ways the small which starts at Php 250.00 and the regular sized at Php 395.00 with a generous serving of noodles compared to the other establishments I've been to. They have add-ons and side dishes that starts at Php 50.00 and max out at Php 330.00.

The Verdict

Overall Verdict: B+

Food Quality: A-

Food Service: B+

Bang for your Buck: A-

Do you want to Contact 'Ramen Iroha?'

Address: G/F W Global Center, 30th st. cor. 9th Ave. Fort Bonifactio, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone number: (02) 808-9517
Facebook: Ramen Iroha's Facebook Page
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 11AM to 11PM

Like any 90's kid, I was a bit of a trouble maker who loved cartoons. So much so I couldn't stop watching television. It got so bad that on my exam week, my wonderful father had to duct tape a huge illustration board on our Sony tube (or was it Panasonic? Never mind.) just to stop me from my obsession.

One of my favorites at the time was Scooby-doo. I could never get enough of those 'meddling kids and their mutt.' In fact one of the more common themes is that you would always find them hanging out inside the 'Mystery Machine' and inside the 'Malt Shop.' A malt shop or a soda shop is where kids get their soda and confectionary fix. You know, to get high on sugar or in this case to cool off from the summer heat. So visiting the 'Farmacy' sounded like a good idea for cooling off and for nostalgia reasons.

Farmacy's Classic Sundae: Chocolate, Vanilla & Strawberry Ice cream topped with nuts, syrup and of course, cherry!

The timing couldn't be better because the thing about summer in Metro Manila is that you know it has arrived when you feel that lingering hot air on the surface of your skin like the air around a loaf of bread fresh from the oven. According to Google Now, the temperature at the time was 34 degrees Celsius. So as much as I wanted to return to 'Silantro,' I think the spicy food can do more harm than good.

Farmacy is located at the corner of 4th and 26th street at the Fort, Global City. It wasn't that hard to find. From St. Lukes' Global City, go straight along 5th street in the direction pointing to the nearby McDonald's. You then turn left on the 26th street and then stop at the corner.

Once you get there, you will be greeted by a neon sign saying 'Farmacy Ice cream and Soda Fountain' with wooden picnic tables and chairs like the ones found in 'Wild Flour Cafe + Bakery.'

Yes, I believe they have the same owner. Decadence, I think is their specialty.

The Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain Neon Sign!

The Ambiance

After being greeted by the neon sign, Me and my family were received warmly by the Farmacy staff. I went on ahead and let my family seat while I look around. I found myself in front of the glass doors where I can see the long bar where the ice cream and soda fountain stands. As I go inside and look around, I immediately was made even hungrier by the smell of the sweet stuff lingering though the air. 

The look of the place reminded me of those stores from American period films from 70s and from 80s. It is quite the delight if you are into those things. You could tell that they spared no expense in terms of aesthetics. 

I came back to our table and I was given their classy period style menu with matching typography. I noticed that majority of the seats were outside because you come here for are the cold beverages and the cold desserts and being inside an air conditioned room could help drop your body temperature further.

The Period style aesthetics is top notch!

The Food

For the past few years dessert focused businesses have been popping up everywhere, and every time a new one arrives the decision of finding the one place to get your decadent fix is getting harder.

The answer lies in the details and the Farmacy spares no expense in their Ice Cream. In terms of flavor, the strawberries are fruity sour. The chocolate is bitter sweet with hints of (what I think is) hazelnut. The coffee flavor isn't too strong, and has a nice kick in both flavor and buzz. The consistency is so creamy that they just melt as soon as they touch the tip of your tongue. 

The Pick-Me-Up Sundae is a good way to recharge! Coffee flavored Ice cream with Nuts and a shot of espresso.

All of it comes together like a group of ballet dancers having a recital in your mouth. With each scoop, the recital in your mouth is slowly building up to the climax. After a while, you wonder whether its just the ice cream or the endorphins flooding your blood stream. (It could be both.)

They also serve Ice cream sandwiched between two cookies (I know, Genius right?) that you pick when you order. We picked the Chocolate cookies. After we took that first bite we immediately felt the chocolate in the cookies flooding our mouths and then slowly it blends with the ice cream creating a wonderful argument between the sweetness of the ice cream and the slight bitterness of the chocolate. What stood out aside from that is the hardness of the cookies. We understand that the cookies have to be a little sturdy so as the ice cream won't make the cookie crumble. Maybe I should have let the Ice cream soften the cookies. Next time.

On the left is the Dusty Road Sundae and the Berry Soda float is the one on the Right.

My dear sister ordered the berry soda float. When you take that first zip, the realisation that commercial sodas are too sweet hits you like a brick. It's like a bubbly berry fruit juice but with its sweetness restrained. Restrained in a very good way. It doesn't over power anything. In fact, it blends so well with the berry flavor that when the Ice cream melts (or when you mix it vigorously) the soda slowly becomes more creamy, and since the sweetness was restrained, you don't lose the berry sour goodness.

What takes the cake however is after consuming all of it. Normally, We noticed after eating SOME of the ice cream found in grocery stores is that after finishing my share, We still found our selves wanting even though we ate a pint all for ourselves. It was empty. After finishing this ice cream however, You'll be happy to hear that it is quite satisfying.

The Classic banana split topped with whipped cream, peanuts, chocolate syrup and cherry!

The Service

When we arrived were right away greeted warmly. As we were lead to our table, it was a little disappointing that we were seated at mono block tables and chairs where as every body else were given the wooden picnic tables and chairs. I hope they remedy this. 

Thankfully they waited patiently. It took us a while to finish ordering but we made it. After eating we had several refills of water. Sugar can cause dehydration. They would then deliver the water refills promptly every time. 

I have read some reviews of this place saying that the service are at times inflexible. I didn't find it when I was there. I sure hope not to find it next time.

The Verdict

Overall Verdict: B

Food Quality: A-

Food Service: A-

Bang for your Buck: B-

Do you want to Contact 'Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain?'

Address: G/F Net Lima Bldg, 4th Ave. cor, 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Telephone number: (02) 887-3622

Facebook: Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain

Operating Hours: Mon-Wed: 11AM to 12PM; Thu-Sat: 11AM to 2AM; Sun: 10AM to 10PM

P.S. Personally, I find this place as an alternative to meeting your friends or special someone aside from the usual coffee or tea rendezvous. If you just want something a little less pricey, you could just drop by your grocery and buy a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's. It is cheaper and Ben & Jerry's do have a wide Selection. I would only come here if I were out with my friends and just want to chat and cool off. Don't get me wrong though, I like this place. I am just being practical. 

Thanks for reading! If you like what you read please like and share whatneilwritesabout.com.