Where to eat: This new Maginhawa restaurant is every ramyeon lover’s dream and more
Ever dreamt of being in a K-drama scene or having a date with your K-pop idol? How about going to South Korea and enjoying some things it has long been known for?
Making the rounds online is the new Ramyeon Bar nestled in Maginhawa’s food strip. Known to be the first of its kind in the Philippines, the hot spot is offering the widest selection of Korean ramyeon in the country—over a hundred, even.
When you enter the place, you’d be welcomed to a massive ramyeon wall complete with flavors and toppings that suit your taste, starting at P49.
The concept is quite simple: Pick one or more from the 100 ramyeon options and get crazy with the toppings and sides. After payment checkout, you can go ahead and use the store’s appliances to create your bowl to your liking. The cook-your-own style adds an extra oomph to your total dining experience by letting you customize your own ramyeon, just like how it works in various joints in Korea.
“As simple as it may be, it brings out a different experience when you cook it in Ramyeon Bar. From the well-curated restaurant to the friendly employees, eating here is truly a different kind of experience,” Anna, one of its owners, told PhilSTAR L!fe.
As you settle into one of its stools, you would feel like you’re transported to South Korea as the walls are decked out with artworks featuring BLACKPINK and BTS, among other iconic K-pop groups—with their music playing in the background throughout your dining session.
“As one of our customers shared, they feel like they’re in Korea when they are here. They feel like they are eating with their idols in Korea,” said co-owner Rons.
To cap off your meal, you can drop by the beverage and dessert stations with pouch drinks that you can pour into a cup with ice as well as Korean ice cream and the popular Korean bingsu—a much-loved dessert made of milk, shaved ice, and sweet toppings.
“The main inspiration for this restaurant is primarily the owners' love for K-culture in general. From K-pop idols to Korean dramas, mukbangs, and TV shows to Korea's sumptuous food, the owners dream of bringing something new to the K-scene,” co-owner Pao said.
“When you see your favorite K-pop idol or oppas eat their favorite ramyeon in the movies and dramas, you can now share that similar experience here in Ramyeon Bar,” co-owner Nelle added.
Open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily, this food spot is not for those who are concerned with the formality of table service, nor is it for those who are looking for a place for quiet conversations. It’s for foodies who simply want to have a casual hangout with friends as service is kept to a minimum for the entire process. It also promotes CLAYGO (clean as you go) to give way and respect to the next customers at your table.
While such is the case, this hub of ramyeon activity provides a different kind of cozy, like a warm hug on a cold day, not just from your piping hot bowl of noodle soup but also the joy of being able to make it your own—and feeling like you’re in Korea while doing so.