Menya Kokoro: The Art of Mazesoba

Mazesoba has slowly been introduced into mainstream consciousness as popular ramen chains like Ramen Nagi and Yushoken have slowly added these to their noodle roster. However, Menya Kokoro latches on to this dish as its main offering – orienting diners to the art of eating mazesoba – from eating the bowl in its lonesome, to adding konbu vinegar midway to refresh the palate and ending with the practice of oimeshi – or asking for complimentary rice to soak up the remaining sauces and flavorful bits left in you bowl. No worries – as they’d provide an illustrative guide on your tables for your reference!

While waiting for your mazesobas, Menya Kokoro will serve you a small bowl of wet tissue and a clear bowl of mushroom soup to whet your appetite. Personally though, it tastes more like seaweed soup than mushroom soup; but it does help prep the palate. The soup is also refillable.

ABURI CHASHU MAZESOBA (P440)

Menya Kokoro offers a lot of mazesoba options (they also have ramen and donburi options if mazesoba isn’t your thing) but my go-to would be the Aburi Chashu Mazesoba. Expect perfectly chewy noodles and a bowl packed with umami flavor.

KANI SALAD (P320)

When ordering the Kani Salad – expect more salad than kani – the amount of kani served seemed like the bare minimum to pass it off as a ‘kani salad’ – so best to opt for its other side dishes instead.

JAPANESE SAUSAGE (P220)

They also serve really spiced and smoky Japanese sausages – probably to pair with their iced cold beer – but it’s still a welcome table treat even for non-beer drinkers like me!

YAKITORI PLATTER

Before opening its San Juan outpost – which really brings its Yakitori offerings in the spotlight as it has rebranded itself as an izakaya – it was just one of the regular fixtures in its menu. It’s perfect for sharing – but nothing about it was memorable – hopefully, they have since upped their yakitori game.

OKONOMIYAKI (P275)

If you’re looking for an affordable tummy filler, the Okonomiyaki is perfect for sharing and would definitely fill you up. Don’t expect exciting fillers that you’re accustomed to from Botejyu and Dohtonbori – but this will definitely tick off the essentials enough to nurse a craving.

Menya Kokoro

5F, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City

Dates of Visit: October 8, 2023 and Jan 7, 2024 with Wilson Chua, Lily Chua, Jared Chua, and Stephanie Chua