Ramen & Cocktail Pairing @ Hakata Ippudo, Pavilion

Sometimes we do crave for food and defiantely Ramen falls into one of the cravings and I am sure when this Hakata Ippudo open its door in Pavilion on 20th February 2013, there is a huge hype of it. Not only that, for this round they have come up something unique for us. I have often heard wine pairing and when I received an invite for Ramen & Cocktail pairing, this is surely something new!

With this new style, IPPUDO hopes that the introduction of this new range of cocktails to its KL store will enhance the overall ramen dining experience for Malaysian diners and help them to discover this great alternative to the typical green tea or soft drink accompaniments.

Calpis Hai – A ‘spike’ up yoghurt drink. One of my favourite drink to be mix with alcohol, is definately good. Sweet light milky texture with the sweetness of the shochu and light alcohol end. Just perfect.

Hakata Momo – Bold & balanced with a hint of peach after taste

From top left -> Clock wise

Hinode- Fruity & flavourful crafted with an after taste of citrus
Umeshu Limonatta – Classic Japanese plum wine blended with a zest from sparkling lemon juice
Hakata Momo – Bold & balanced with a hint of peach after taste
Sawayaka – Perfect blend of light refreshing freshly squeezed lime and the sweetness of rum with a slight fragrance of coconut

Oolong Hai – Humbling earthy oolong tea with a touch of shochu

Among the startes we try, I love this the best, Buta Karaage – Deep Fried Pork – Loin with special sauce. Deep fried to perfection that inside is not dry yet juicy and the sauce os perfect. Pair well with Umeshu Aranciatta with mild sourish end.

Curry Cheeze Haru Maki – Deep Fried Curry Spring Rolls.
Best paired with: Umeshu Limonatta

Serve in raw with special sauce added on the side. Ishiyaki Chicken – Grilled Chicken with leek in hot stone bowl
Grilled chicken with leek in hot stone bowl served with wasabi dressing and lemon citrus. Stir well in this hot stone and then you can pair it with Hinode or Oolong Hai.

Salmon Katsu – Deep fried Salmon with Cheeze
Best paired with: Sawayaka or Hakata Momo

Salmon Misoyaki – Marinated Salmon with Japanese Miso
Best paired with: Calpis Hai

Before we are heading to eat our main dish which is Ramen, in between we were given a task. We are to create our own cocktail and winner for the night will walk away with great prize. We are given with 3 types of alcohol, mixer and some ingredients to finish it off.

Then I come out with don know what I have mix and the girls are being creative, we name our drink 3 Girls & a Guy.

We have 5 other contestant in the list and the rest all looks good.

Judges in action with the chef of the outlet start tasting on the creation.

Before we dine our Ramen, we are being serve with some fresh garlic and if you need it just add on. I find that it really add on the taste to the soup to be more fragrant.

Shiromaru Motoaji
Original recipe Tonkotsu broth served with Hakata-style ultra-thin noodles and topped with belly chashu, bean sprouts, kikurage and spring onions, cooked expertly to produce a smooth yet classic Hakata ramen.
We personally love this best as the broth made me tasted its originality. Clear yet flavoursome, we could finish the whole bowl of soup!
Best paired with: Umeshu Limonatta

Akamaru Shinaji
The 25-year old recipe requires slow cooking over long hours to achieve a perfect emulsion of oil and liquid, creating a rich and flavorful Tonkotsu that enhances the essence of pork-bone topped with Ippudo secret miso, garlic oil, belly chashu, kikurage, bean sprouts and spring onions. This version of broth carries a more pungent taste that stimulated our tastebuds even more.
Best paired with: Calpis Hai

Spicy Karaka-men
The Karaka Men features Ippudo signature Tonkotsu broth and Hakata-style wavy noodles, topped with ground pork and our spicy Karaka miso for the spice that you crave!
Best paired with: Hinode

Its another great night for all of us to hang out again and thanks to Ippudo Malaysia for showering me this new experience. If you are hunting for their cocktail, my favourites are Hinode & Calpis high. Easy to drink and to pair with the food. Price range from RM 15 – RM 22 per glass as I find it pretty reasonable. .

Location:
Hakata Ippudo 一風堂
Lot C4.07.00,
Connection Level 4,
Pavilion KL.
Tel: 03 2110 6233
11am – 11pm (daily)