We were looking at tiles at MC Home Depot in Ortigas last week because we are planning to renovate our kitchen. Of course, we got hungry, and despite the heat, we went to Butamaru for some ramen!
I’d been to Butamaru Ortigas before about 2 years ago, and now I’m in the area with an excuse to eat there again!
Butamaru is an Alabang cult favorite (or so I am told). The Ortigas branch is located at the Technopoint One Building in the Ortigas Home Depot compound, but it’s not that easy to find because it is on the right side of the building, a little farther back. PARKING IS FREE (first 3 hours, I think). Well, we didn’t have to pay anything for parking and that is always welcome! 🙂
First things first – the aircon was cold. That is very important to me. In this heat, if a restaurant is warm when I enter, no matter how good the food is, I’m out.
But even if the space is small, Butamaru has provided a sink for customers to wash their hands (much appreciated if you’re going to handle the skewers with your hands).
THE FOOD
I ordered a Curry Tantanmen (P380) and J ordered a Kaisen Ramen (P390). We also ordered 3 slices of Chashu (P150), Gyu Kushi (Grilled beef cubes, P195) and Yakitori (P120).
The first thing I noticed was that the noodles were denser than usual, which I like. They felt more rustic, heartier. I asked about the noodles and the staff told me that the noodles are handmade in their Alabang branch and then delivered to them.
I enjoyed my Curry Tantanmen. It wasn’t too spicy, the broth was flavorful, and they were generous with the green onions and ground pork. The stronger broth flavors suited the hearty, rustic ramen. Personally, I prefer a thicker, more peanut-y tantanmen but this was nice, too. The curry flavor was smooth but does not overpower the tantanmen-ness of it. The spoons have a functional design which lets you rest the spoons on the side of the bowl.
J liked his Kaisen Seafood Ramen, and we liked our skewered meats, which we amped up with the spice mix that was served with them (not just for decoration ha). The pork belly grilled Chashu slices were melt-in-your-mouth tender.
SUMMARY
Butamaru Ortigas is small (there’s a second floor but it was closed when we arrived), so they only seated a few customers. I feel like it’s quite underrated, though. If it weren’t so out of the way, I’d probably have the ramen more often because I actually like the noodle texture. Pricing is standard, as expected.
At first, I thought the ramen serving looked small, but when I finished it all, I was quite full, so I’d say the serving size is just right.
If you’re in the area, give Butamaru a try. The noodles are different from other ramen places, and parking is free!
Butamaru Ortigas
G-16, Techno Point Building, Ortigas Home Depot, 1 Julia Vargas Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/butamaruortigas/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butamaruph/
