Top 7 Ramen Restaurants in Metro Manila

List of best ramen according to A Not-So-Popular Kid

This blog post is dedicated to highlight the top ramen places I've been to. I know I may be a little late in coming up with this list, but I wanted to have my own documentation of the best ramen places I tried here in the metro.

Note, however, that I don't have a clear criteria or basis for this ranking. I just banked on my own judgment and on how great I felt when tasting the ramen. Also, if you want to see a more detailed review of the ramen place, just tap or click on the name of the restaurant just before the image.

Update 11/09/25: Almost 10 years since the first posting of this list, and I feel like it needs an update. So here it is. Frankly, there wasn't much movement, but that validates their placement here. It means these ramen places survived the test of time (except for one that I needed to remove already from the original list). Anyway, enjoy!

Last update date: November 9, 2025

1. Ippudo Ramen

This may surprise you because Ipuddo normally isn't the top choice for most people when we speak of ramen, but over the years I feel like it had been the most consistent of all, and not to mention has the least suya factor among the ramen places I tried. When I first wrote about this list, Ipuddo placed just 7th, and looking back I couldn't understand why. However, what I can say now is that given my more recent experiences, and better appreciation of Japanese ramen in general, I'd have to take that placement back, and correct it. 

Location: Multiple branches
What to order? Karakamen, always my to-go order over the years

2. Ramen Nagi

Ramen Nagi offers a lot of flavors in its bowl perfected with a playful yet flexible kick depending on your preference. What makes Nagi a runner-up, and the predecessor #1 (during my first release of the list), is the combined greatness of the broth, the noodles and the heavenly tender meat. While I'd often experience a sharp umay factor here at Ramen Nagi, it still remains to be consistently good. Also, this ramen shop always innovates by releasing different Limited King bowls throughout the year, and for me it merits recognition.

I know you'll think that I'm going for the "popular choice", but this is really still one of my go-to ramen places.

Location: Multiple branches
What to order? Any of the King Ramen Series (i.e. Butao King, Green King, Black King and Red King) -- the Red King is my personal favorite.


3. Ramen Yushoken

Ramen Yushoken showcases more of the traditional ramen, but what's different here than in Ramen Nagi and Ipuddo is the availability of the tsukumen as well as the cold noodles or soba. The main reason as to why this one placed no. 3 is the overwhelming bold flavors of the dish. Too much intake got me too tired of the taste, too early. While I understand that it's common to experience an umay factor for ramen, it happens very early on when I eat at Yushoken. Which is why I have to argue about it being a top contender, despite such claim, I won't deny the greatness of the ramen and tsukumen here!

Location: Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
What to order? Tokusei Tsukumen, Karai Tsukumen and Miso Ramen

4. Mendokoro Ramenba

I am not quite sure as to why I didn't enjoy Mendokoro the way I imagined it to be. Perhaps it was because of the excessively bold flavors that triggered something within me -- something like an alert button that makes me pause for a while, and re-think whether the dish is healthy considering the multitude of flavors. Given that Mendokoro and Yushoken both are from same group of company, they share the similar characteristic of having an umay factor at early onset. Nevertheless, the first few spoonful never fails to make my palate dance and do cartwheels. 

Location: Ground Floor, V Corporate Center, 125 L. P. Leviste Street, Soliman St, Salcedo Village, Makati City. There's also another one in BGC near RCBC Center.
What to order? Shoyu Ramen

5. Uma Uma

Uma Uma may not be the best-tasting ramen, but it was perhaps the "most-refreshing" one I had. The absence of the MSG and the ease in the salt gave me this suave taste in every sip. The broth didn't give any stinging effect on the tongue which is why it's a painless way of eating a ramen.

Location: 2/F S'Maison, Conrad Manila, Pasay, Manila
What to order? Tan Tan Ramen and Miso Tsukumen

6. Mitsuyado Sei-Men

Mitsuyado Sei-Men didn't appeal to me during my first visit, when I had the Double Cheese Tsukumen. However, I felt like I needed to give it a second chance, and luckily I did. I just love their Tan Tan Ramen as well as their well-balanced Miso Tsukumen. However, what I really like about this ramen shop is their interior and overall concept. Dining here just brings my mind adrift, like I'm being virtually transported to a random side street in Japan enjoying a bowl of ramen.

Location: Glorietta 4 (Top of the Glo)
What to order? Tan Tan Ramen and Miso Tsukumen

7. Ramen Kuroda

Including something like Ramen Kuroda in the list may come as a surprise, but I do mean it placing it here. Despite the simplicity and maybe lack of visual flair, it's really one of the very decent ones you can have, and on top of all, you really don't have to break the bank for this. As a matter of fact, you can have a bowl here in Ramen Kuroda for half the price (perhaps even less) of all the other ramen in this list. I always go by with what I normally say, "this is how ramen should be, affordable, simple yet delicious."

Location: Multiple branches
What to order? Aka Ramen and Kuro Ramen

So far, this is all the ramen places I deem to be worthy to be part of the list.
 
Anyway, here are also the list of those that I already tried but unfortunately didn't make the list.

Ukokkei Ramen Ron || Kenji Tei Ramen House || Ajisen Ramen || Kokoro Ramenya

I'm still re-building this list, so I'm definitely open for your suggestions. Hopefully, you'll drop some comments and share your favorite ramen places!