A Tale of Two: Big Chashu Ramen (Mendokoro Ramenba vs. Ramen Nagi)
Good things come in pairs.
This is true in the foodie world. There are duopolies for a certain dish or locations where only a couple of dishes dominate the food landscape. So I launched a series called A Tale of Two, which are made up of articles that compare and/or appreciate a pair of dishes or food establishments. I love this series because I get to try two of everything. And if there’s a winner between the two in the case of comparisons, my tummy emerges as the ultimate winner! LOL.
Since I launched the series on October last year, I’ve only written 3 articles so far (about fried chicken sandwiches in Bonifacio High Street, pork Pad Krapow in Poblacion, Makati, and Pares in La Loma, Quezon City). So I’m writing again for this series and compare between 2 big chashu (Japanese braised pork belly) ramen from 2 top ramen chains, Mendokoro Ramenba (check my article here) and Ramen Nagi.
CRITERIA
The dish needs no further introduction. So let me go ahead with my criteria for judging:
Chashu: It has to start with this, of course! It has to be tasty and tender.
Broth: Broth has to be balanced and flavorful, regardless if it’s on the rich-and-thick side or on the clear-and-light side.
Noodles: I prefer my noodles to be al dente.
Other Elements: The toppings should contribute to the overall flavor, texture, and enjoyability of the ramen.
Mendokoro Ramenba’s Super Chashu Ramen
Prior to the pandemic, I’ve never heard of this dish before, although it’s said to be available long ago off-the-menu. It has a bigger portion of chashu, which is double-marinated and weighs 150 grams! Think of it as Mendokoro’s shoyu ramen on steroids!
Mendokoro Ramenba’s Super Chashu Ramen (P560)
Here’s what I think of the Super Chashu:
Chashu: It’s fatty and ultra tender. In fact, it disintegrates with a few chopstick presses!
Broth: The broth is rich and creamy (almost milky!). It has a bit of salty aftertaste and a kick due to the chopped chili.
Noodles: Like with any Mendokoro ramen, the noodles are perfectly chewy.
Other Elements: The bamboo shoots and woodear mushrooms add another layers of textures.
Ramen Nagi’s Wonder Chashu King
This ramen is supposed to be a limited offering of Ramen Nagi. But I guess there’s a high demand for it that the chain placed it on its regular menu.
Ramen Nagi’s Wonder Chashu King (P490)
Here’s what I think of the Wonder Chashu King:
Chashu: It’s tender, smoky, and slightly sweet. It reminds me of ham.
Broth: It’s flavorful and stay-in-the-mouth spicy (I can choose my spice levels in Ramen Nagi so I opted for the higher ones). However, it’s a bit too sweet to my liking and I think the broth can be thicker.
Noodles: Only the thick version is available for this ramen. It’s al dente but I wish it’s chewier.
Other Elements: The cabbage, spring onions, and woodear mushrooms add crunch.
THE VERDICT
Mendokoro’s Super Chashu!
The Super Chashu is just on another level. Everything was on point! In fact, it was my favorite dish in 2020. So I’m doing this with a bit of bias. But hey, I gave Wonder Chashu King a chance! LOL.
Do you agree with my verdict? Are there other (big) chashu ramen that I should try? Comment them below!