At 28, Tokyo Tokyo continues to grow

MANILA, Philippines -Tokyo Tokyo was once Makati’s delicious little secret. Located at the Quad (now Glorietta) Car Park, Tokyo Tokyo built a following with its combination of quality, value and abundance. In 1985, it was the only quick-service Japanese restaurant that offered unlimited rice with its dishes. While other Japanese restaurants at the time focused on delivering more traditional experiences, Tokyo Tokyo strove to give its customers a modern, mainstream approach to Japanese cuisine.

With more than 50 stores nationwide, the restaurant has brought maki, tempura, tonkatsu and other favorites within everyone’s reach. Through its new Ramen Bar, Tokyo Tokyo is doing the same for the ramen sweeping the nation.

All-time bestsellers like prawn tempura, beef misono, and pork tonkatsu have been joined by delectable new menu items such as Japanese-inspired hamburgers and honey chicken teriyaki. While the restaurant’s Bento Boxes are a satisfyingly filling choice for most diners, the good-for-two Sumo meals are often enjoyed by customers with the heartiest of appetites. Tokyo Tokyo’s signature Red Ice Tea has an avid fan following of its own, making it distinctly Tokyo Tokyo.

In October 2012, Tokyo Tokyo wrote a new chapter in its history of innovation with the launch of its Ramen Bar. Having begun as an addition to the TriNoma branch, Ramen Bar has exploded with popularity, and there are plans to have 50 locations by the end of 2013.

To bring customers the most authentic Japanese fast food experience possible, Tokyo Tokyo’s Research and Development team worked closely with a Japanese ramen master, discovering ways to deliver authentic Japanese flavors. The end result was three exciting ramen flavors — Braised Pork, Spicy Chicken, and Tempura Miso — making their debut at the very first Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Bar in TriNoma. The dishes were a resounding success, leading to Tokyo Tokyo Ramen’s explosive growth.

To date, 20 stores have opened since October 2012, with 30 more launching in the second half of 2013. With such an impressive number of branches opening across the Philippines, ramen just became a lot more accessible.

The key to Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Bar’s booming popularity lies in the quality of its components. The tonkotsu broth is slow-cooked for at least 24 hours in Japanese hagamas, extracting every single drop of flavor from the base ingredients. Ramen noodles are freshly-made, giving each mouthful just the right amount of bite. Premium-quality toppings, such as tender pork cutlets, succulent chicken cuts glazed in a spicy-sweet teriyaki sauce, and delightfully crisp prawn tempura, serve as a focal point for other traditional flavors. Even the restaurant’s gyoza, Ramen’s most familiar pairing, is made according to authentic standards: soft, savory, and chewy with a delightfully crisp underside.

Because of Tokyo Tokyo’s Ramen Bar, high-quality ramen is no longer limited to specialty shops with a limited number of branches. Customers can get their ramen at P99 for a snack-sized bowl, and P150 for a full serving.

Tokyo Tokyo Ramen Bar is at TriNoma; SM Southmall; Net Lima, The Fort;  SM Megamall; People Support Ayala; Greenbelt; Market! Market!; SM Baguio; SM Fairview; SM North EDSA Annex; SM North EDSA Main; SM San Lazaro; SM Manila; Greenhills; Harbor Point Subic; Robinsons Pioneer; Ali Mall; Festival Mall; SM Dasmariñas; and SM Bicutan.