Resto review: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka & MochiCream Cafe at Trinoma

I was recently at one of my favorite ramen places: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, but this time I had visited their newly-opened Trinoma branch. This was a rare trip for me and my family, who I invited to the lunch, because we live so far away from Quezon City. It was fun nevertheless, because we were finally able to see the mall and we got to eat really well at one of the best ramen restaurants in the metro. It also helped that we went on a Sunday, so no traffic for us!

It truly was a treat for us because we were served so many yummy dishes, from their bestsellers to new ones we haven’t tried before. Just so you know, I always eat at Santouka (you can read my first review HERE), but I tend to order the same things over and over again. I’m like that I guess, but of course, I am also willing to try something new if it were offered to me. And that day, I got to try A LOT of new dishes, because restaurant’s PR manager Genevieve did the ordering for us. In the end, I was happy she decided for us, but wow, the food just kept on coming! We had to take several breaks just to be able to try everything (I’m hardly complaining here–it was a good problem). And after a scrumptious lunch, we had an equally delicious selection of desserts from Santouka’s sister company: MochiCream Cafe (they were just next door). We had cakes and parfaits and mochi balls and green tea shakes–it really was an amazing and super filling meal.

One thing I particularly liked about this lunch was that we were given a private room (good for 10 people) which allowed us to talk and be extra noisy while we enjoyed our food. My family and I see each other only once a week so most of the time we are chatty and yes, noisy. Santouka provided a great venue for us–we really enjoyed each other’s company thanks to the private room. Tip: This is really a great idea if you’re a big party as you have all the privacy you need and you have full control of the air conditioner haha.

Iberico Tokusen Toroniku (P370). This pork cheek isn’t the ordinary variety, but special Iberico pork from Spain. This was extra soft and tender and very tasty. A great appetizer!

The Matcha Latte 8oz (P135) my brother Ruel ordered. All of us had ours cold (Iced Matcha) which were equally good (I had a sip of this). I’ve become such a fan of green tea since visiting Japan.

Ruel and his fiancée Gabby.

This was part of Santouka’s Lunch Set Special (P410): it includes 1 Small Size Ramen, 1 Side Dish and 1 Rice Ball (with Iced Tea Shake). This is the bestselling Shio Ramen (Salt Flavor) that made Santouka famous in Japan, and now the Philippines. It has a rich, distinct flavorful soup that goes well with the ramen and all its other ingredients.

This is the Kara-Miso Ramen, which you can also order from the Lunch Set Special (just add P20). It is a Spicy Soybean Paste Flavor that is more robust than the Shio. Spicy and tasty, this ramen is sooooo addicting.

This came with the Lunch Set Special–Side Dishes: Ebi Furai (Fried Prawns) and Sake Furai (Fried Salmon). These breaded dishes are so good paired with Rice Balls.

These are the three kinds of Rice Balls you can choose from (still from the Lunch Set Special): Salmon Onigiri (triangular shaped rice wrapped in nori seaweed with slightly salted salmon bits inside), Pork Onigiri (rice balls wrapped with thin pork slices) and Inari Sushi (vinegar flavored rice balls wrapped in deep fried sweet tofu pockets).

This is the Spicy Creamy Shio Ramen (P440), which is the spicy version of Santouka’s signature salt flavored (Shio) ramen. It was my first time to try this particular ramen and I have to say it is richer and thicker than your usual ramen. It is also packed with flavor, as it is tasty and spicy at the same time. It’s not spicy hot that your tongue will burn, you’ll be able to finish the soup without having to drink a gallon of water.

My all-time favorite: Normal Aburi Tokusen Toroniku (P270) or roasted pork cheek. This one tastes great on its own, with rice or with your ramen. It’s on the sweet side, which I love.

Yummy!

My mom and her giant Matcha Float 16oz (P170).

Enjoying my ramen.

Rico, my other brother, tried everything.

What a full table. We had plenty to take home!

Ruel ordered a Cappucino (P105) for dessert, not knowing we had so much of it coming haha.

Rico and I–it was so nice to catch up with everyone.

For dessert, MochiCream Cafe took care of us. We each had Matcha Parfaits (P100)–so yummy and refreshing!

We were also served these delicious pastries: Matcha Dacquois (P170), Strawberry Tart (P130) and Almond Dacquois (P170). I really liked the Strawberry Tart!