Japanese culture in a bowl
Much-loved Hokkaido Ramen Santouka started in Japan in the 1980s when its founder
Hitoshi Hatanaka said to his family, “I’m going to make delicious ramen.” It started with a single restaurant in Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
Today, the restaurant serves masterfully assembled and robust, longlasting flavored ramen in its several locations around the world. Recently, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka opened its 11th branch in the Philippines at the UP Town Center on Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City.
The newest Santouka branch, which opened with much excitement, is envisioned to become a hangout for students. Santouka president
Annaliza Lim said, “We opened our branch in UP Town Center because we wanted to tap the younger market. The look and feel of this branch is more modern and appealing.”
Joining Lim in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Santouka Japan executives Tsuyoshi Nino and Fumihiko Nishide.
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka UP Town Center has new offerings such as fried chicken tsukemen and tonkatsu tsukemen. Also launched were light meals targeted for millennials on a budget.
Even with its current and youthful vibe, the 11th branch still offers the same family recipe that was developed in 1988. Its ramen offerings are made with imported ingredients — from the noodles down to the soup, which is cooked for 20 hours daily to keep it fresh and healthier but delicious to the last drop.