Hanamaruken's Bowl of Happiness & Drunk Man Rice Bowl

We had a delightful experience at the Hanamaruken branch in Trinoma Mall, the first branch in the Philipines. It started to operate just last year. It was a treat from a great Japanese restaurant that originated in Osaka, Japan.

Hanamaruken was founded in 1982 by a Japanese butcher and meat seller in Osaka named, Takaku Arakawa. The resto is a subsidiary of his Arakawa Pork Company, a reputable supplier of premium meat in Osaka, Japan. His dishes became so popular in Osaka that people are falling in lines patiently waiting for their turn to be served. Hanamaruken put up 40 branches in the city of Osaka alone to accommodate everybody.

A bowl of Signature Happiness Ramen (PHP480) garnished with two halves of tamago (boiled chicken egg with slightly runny yolk), chopped negi spring onion, and that pastry distinctively designed decorative pastry.

The host, Oya Olalia (PR Director), served us the famed bowl of Signature Happiness Ramen. It is the kind of ramen with same authentic ingredients used by Hanamaruken in Osaka, Japan. It was like you got what the  Osaka locals are queuing for everyday there from afternoon till midnight. 

The bowl is of ramen topped with slow-braised pork rib, which I supposed was grilled first before it was braised, is so tenderly done. The meat has a hint of smoky taste and that adds more flavor to this soupy dish. The secrets of this dish lies along the many phases of tedious processes that would take about 20 hours to complete. Hanamaruken strictly follows the philosophy that their dishes should be made with excellent, high-quality meats and prepared by passionate chefs.

A serving of happiness and another for a drunken man

The dish, a Bowl of Happiness, is the gustatory union of dark-browned, slow-braised, soft bone pork rib and Shoyu Tonkotsu ramen noodles. The unification becomes a perfect combination of tastes and satisfaction. As you will notice, there is that piece of black nori sheet at the edge of the bowl  with Japanese characters inscribed on it that can be translated to mean “marriage."

The Hanamaruken served us another bowl of dish with an intriguing name, the Drunk Man Rice Bowl.  Practically, a bowl of cooked rice topped with cubes of tenderly braised kankuni or potbelly pork and two sunny-side-up fried eggs, garnished with home-made braising sauce, chopped negi spring onion, and red chilies.  So called, because it is offered as a perfect dish, or at least ideally for, after having a drinking  spree or simply put it as an ideal dish for those who got drunk in the inuman. Of course, it is also perfect fill for anybody who's is hungry.

A bowl of Drunk Man Rice Bowl

A set of Hanamaruken famous dishes. Now you don't need to go Osaka, Japan anymore to get a taste of these.  You can now easily have it from Hanamaruken branch in Trinoma Mall in North Edsa, Quezon City

We were served with two choices of drinks to pair with the sumptuous authentic Japanese dishes: a mug of ice green tea  and  a cup of Japanese tea. Either of the two makes a refreshing wash down. 

My dear Margette with her mug of refreshing ice green tea. 

A mug of ice green tea and a cup of Japanese tea

Now, you don't have to go Osaka to have what the Osaka folks are patiently queuing long for every night. Hanamaruken has a branch now in Trinoma Mall in North Edsa, Quezon City which you can easily reached by MRT train, buses, taxis, and even jeepneys, or by driving your car along EDSA or any of its connecting major thoroughfares.

The Hanamaruken branch in Metro Manila is in the 2nd Floor (Garden Restaurants) of Trinoma mall.

Lamps with costumed-made circular frames are hanging  strategically on the ceiling, giving a slight old-world feel to the restaurant.

The Trinoma branch is good enough for a number or few groups of diners. Its interior decorations are filled with artistry. Some ancient Japanese music are played here to add more old-world ambiance.

Margette with the group of select food bloggers takes her time taking photos with the famed Osaka dishes

For those in the south of Mertro Manila, there's a second branch of Hanamaruken in Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. It opened just recently.

The Hanamaruken place in Trinoma has the feel of Japanese homey  ambiance. Lamps and trinkets are hanging pieces of art balanced with Japanese paintings hanged on the wall.      

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• Dining authentic Japanese food heritage at Ginza Bairin
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HANAMARUKEN PHILIPPINES

Location   : 2F Garden Restaurants, Trinoma, North EDSA, Quezon City (location map here).  Another branch is in Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Website    : http://hanamaruken.ph/

Facebook : Hanamaruken Ramen Philippines

Twitter      : Hanamaruken_PH

Instagram : @Hanamaruken_ph

Phone       : (02) 720 9283