IPPUDO was founded in 1985 in Japan’s ramen capital of Hakata by Shigemi Kawahara, the internationally renowned Ramen King and CEO of Chikaranomoto Company, which encompasses some of Japan’s finest restaurants. There are over 65 stores in Japan, and globally in places such as New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Shanghai and finally landed into our shores!

The first Ippudo at Malaysia located at Connection Level 4, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

 

Ippudo serve Hakata-style tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen.

 

The restaurant boasts a young and chic interior with cheerful bright red and white theme. The wooden elements and the decorative item of bowls and spoons had jazzed up the ambiance even more.

 

Counter bar seats facing the open kitchen where one can “admiring” the good looking kitchen crews preparing your food

Welcome to Ippudo Malaysia~

 

Sesame grinder, pepper grinder and shichimi powder.

Are you ready for a “Microcosmos In A Bowl” experience?

 

Goma Q (RM 9.00)

The slightly slapped sliced cucumber rendering the soft texture,, sprinkled with sesame, garlic, paprika powder and accompanied with sesame oil sauce. A refreshing appetizer to whet your palate.

 

Crispy Corn (RM 8.00)

This innovative appetizer was deep fried young corn with seaweed seasoning. Crisp on the outer however the taste was a tad too bland despite being flavored by the seaweed.

 

Curry Cheese Haru Maki (RM10.00)

While the previous appetizer was merely satisfying, the next item outshone it by mile. The curry filling consisted of meat, onion and cheese was so robust & full with flavors, wrapped under the crispy spring roll skin.  If I had a grouse, it would be the steep price >.<

 

Pork Bun (RM 7.00)

This definitely my favourite appetizer of that night! The soft and fluffy bun encasing the tenderly delicious braised pork, tasted slightly sweet coupled with subtle smoky hint.

 

Spicy Shrimp Mayo (RM 15.00)

The lightly battered prawn had a soft crust, drenched in a spicy mayonnaise sauce was  far from being impressive in my books.

 

Hakata-style Soup Gyoza

Served pipping hot in a stone bowl, the Japanese-styled dumplings (5pcs / serving) were adequately filled with  minced meat swam in Ippudo’s original tonkotsu broth which was dense and burst with porky flavors. Also spiced up the flavor was the addition of ginger and spring onion.

 

Shiromaru Motoaji (RM 26.00)

Being their signature ramen, the soup of the Shiromaru Motoaji was made from long simmering of pork bones which expelled its natural essence to the broth. Topped with bean sprouts, kikurage, spring onions and 2 slices literally melt-in-your-mouth belly chashu. This bowl of ramen was light to the palate and suitable for the ramen’s first timer.

 

Oh ya, customer can choose their texture of ramen ranging from very hard, hard, medium and soft, we opted for “hard” ramen as per recommended by the wait staff and noodle turned out to be perfectly done ~ al-dente and able to soaked up the flavors of the broth without getting soggy or mushy

 

Akamaru Shinaji (RM 28.00)

The rich and and flavorful Tonkotsu that enhances the essence of pork-bone topped with Ippudo’s secret “Umami Dama” miso paste, garlic oil, belly chashu, kikurage, bean sprouts and spring onions. A little bit heavier on taste with subtle spicy tinge, the creamy broth won my heart as my favourite ramen of that night!

 

Karaka-men (RM 28.00)

Served with Hakata-style wavy noodles instead of ultra-thin straight noodle, spicy Karaka miso was added for those who want some kicks for their ramen. As expected, the spiciness level was not kind of set your mouth on fire and it can be adjusted according to your personal liking. The generous portion of ground pork make the bowl of ramen more well worth the money paid

 

Verdict: There are hits & misses but overall I enjoyed the porky broth and of course the perfect texture of the ramen ~ springy. Price is slightly steep for a bowl of noodle here but that is what one pays to have good quality ramen!

 

   Ippudo Ramen Malaysia (一風堂)

 

   Lot C4.07.00, Connection Level 4
   Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
   168, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
   55100 Kuala Lumpur.

 

   Tel: +603-2110 6233

 

   Business Hour: 1100am to 11.00pm daily

 

   Facebook: www.facebook.com/IppudoMalaysia

   Website: www.ippudo.com.my/