Ah, Ippudo. The restaurant that launched a thousand #Foodstagrams when it opened in Manila. Of course, seeing the beloved Japanese ramen place when we moved here in KL gave me so much comfort! I love Japanese food so much and ramen always counts as great comfort food! Especially on rainy afternoons here. 😉
Here in KL, I’ve also noticed that the restaurant industry is quite competitive so you see restaurants come and go while those who stay have one secret: Innovation (particularly on their menu). Of course, it came as no surprise that Ippudo isn’t one to be left behind when it comes to that.
Founded in Hakata, Japan by “Ramen King” Shigemi Kawahara, it’s been around since 1985 and up to this day, the company remains to be fuelled by innovation while staying true to Japanese tradition.
This July until September, the beloved ramen place is coming out with special, limited edition dishes to spice things up here in KL. I was lucky enough to attend a media preview for the new dishes and I’m going to share with you today what’s going to be available so you’ll know what to expect. 😉
TOKUSHIMA RAMEN (RM25)
The star of the show and the culprit for my recent cravings. This dish is also the star of my recent dreams and has got me wishing for July to come faster. This ramen is composed of chicken and pork broth mixed with dark soy sauce. Its savoury soup is to die for while the noodles are oh-so perfectly cooked.
The ramen is served with a generous helping of pork belly slices (Butabara) which were simmered in onions fused with soy sauce, green onions, and bamboo shoots. The raw egg also makes the broth rich and much more flavourful. It’s my new favourite ramen! Rich, savoury, a bit salty, and slurp-worthy! And yes, slurping is highly encouraged in Ippudo to compliment the chef! 😉
KIMCHI TOFU WITH BOILED PORK (RM13)
Not a fan of kimchi nor tofu but once again, the universe decides to show me that if I’m willing to look past the things that I’m used to and to try and see things in a new light – I will surely be rewarded.
This dish is for people like me who tend to be picky and judg-y with food. The mixture of the two things I normally try to avoid plus a good helping of pork did the trick. 😉 The kimchi is not too spicy, the pork is tender and flavourful, while the tofu provides a good balance. A perfect appetiser!
CHEESE MENTAIKO GYOZA (RM17)
I’m a dumpling person so it comes as no surprise that I fell in love with this dish. Ippudo’s gyoza is homemade and pan-fried and I love how tasty it is. Now, top it with cod roe sauce and lightly torched cheese and we’ve got ourselves a winner.
Do order it with friends though as it’s quite hard to finish. The cheese and the sauce makes it creamy – which is good and really yummy. However, it’s too good and creamy that after a while, it’s quite hard to finish it all on your own.
SALMON FISH AND CHIPS (RM23)
This dish takes the concept of fish and chips to a whole new level. The salmon is so tender that biting into it is a pleasure on its own. The tartar sauce it comes with is tangy – not too sour nor too creamy.
At first, I was a bit apprehensive in trying the wedges with the spicy Thai chilli sauce and sour cream. Seems like an odd combo but it’s actually good! The spicy flavour of the chilli and the sourness of the cream offer a tug-of-war of flavours in your mouth. It’s soooo heavenly. And while the chilli is actually spicy, it didn’t burn my tongue thanks to the cream. 😉
SPECIAL MENTION:
YAKULT JELLY SMOOTHIE
This drink is actually part of their regular menu but I think it’s worth a mention. 😉 If you’re fan of the sweet probiotic drink, you would love this as well. Definitely tastes like Yakult, only with better texture and some smooth and soft jellies on top. Do order this drink on your next visit to Ippudo. I highly reccommend it! <3
It’s already the first of July tomorrow so all these dishes will be available! Do let me know which one’s your favourite! I am planning to visit Ippudo tomorrow as well to get some Tokushima ramen. Gotta hurry and catch it since it will be only be available till September!
** Ippudo has branches in Pavilion, The Gardens, and Bangsar Shopping Centre. Visit their Facebook page for more info.
More later!
Love,
Carol
