My friends and I have seen Go-En Ramen about a year ago and promised to check it out soon. That "soon" however almost didn't push thru because we all live at the other end of the town. Luckily, there's such a thing as serendipity and I got invited to attend the ramen tasting at Go-En.
The restaurant has a seating capacity of about 30-35 pax and it also carries some interesting items such as the kendama, a Japanese toy, and mangas. The staff can teach you how to play the kendama or you can browse at the mangas, or check the other items (some are for sale) while waiting for your food. And Go-En also has a black and white neko called Sylvester (sorry, I forgot to take his photo) which is a bit aloof but I think you can bribe it with some kara-age. :D
Wonton Tomato Ramen, P380. I was like, okay -- wonton tomato? The first thing that comes to mind is spaghetti noodle soup and that's a sign that this one-of-a-kind ramen already roused my interest in trying out new food or flavors. After my first sip, oh my! This is kitchen sorcery at its finest. The tomato broth is refreshing and addicting. I think the broth should be spicier but then, there are customers who doesn't like spicy food. Luckily, you can just add some chili powder. There's also a generous amount of meaty wontons. However, you must eat this ramen while its still hot to you can enjoy its tomato goodness.
Kara-age (fried chicken), P250. Thumbs up after my first bite! The chicken was crisp and garlicky especially the skin but the meat was tender and flavorful also. Can't wait to eat this again on my next visit. The mayo dip is quite good also and I was advised to squeeze in some lemon but I like my chicken plain and simple. One of the best kara-age that I've tasted.
Okonomiyaki, P350. This is another delightful dish. I was blown away with the well-balanced flavors. I've tasted some okonomiyaki before wherein the flavor is usually nonexistent in some parts especially the edges of the pancake but this one from Go-En made me fall in love with okonomiyaki again. A small slice is also filling already. And the sauce is not the thick kind which you want to remove because its just too much. Yummy okonomiyaki!
Taiyaki, or waffle with stuffing, P80. The dough tastes like crepe without sugar and it has adzuki (red bean) filling. Delish! Well, my daughter who's crazy about anything adzuki taught me how to appreciate it as well. Its a small fish but good for sharing. But there's also more --- they make this from scratch as soon as you order a Taiyaki. And since they have an "open" kitchen, you can watch them make the waffle.
Sakura Mochi, P80. This is another love. However, this must be eaten as soon as it is serve because the ice-cream will melt fast. The mochi is sakura-flavored although the taste was overpowered by the ice-cream itself.
Kara-age Kare, P350. As with my previous posts, I am saving the BEST for last. This is Go-En's most memorable dish (ramen) for me. I love Japanese curry although what I'm expecting is totally different from this ramen. The curry has just the right kick to make you want to slurp more of the broth which is really bursting with flavors. You can still add some chili powder if you prefer a spicier version. The ajitsuke tamago is also perfect although the one on the photo is not since it took us a long time to take photos and the broth is hot so the temperature "cooked" it further. This is one of the best ramen in Quezon City for me. And yes, the kara-age tastes delish, too.
Domo arigato gozaimasu Go-En!
Go-En Ramen Shoppe
Unit B1 Jardin de Zenaida
34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
Quezon City
*** the place is just at the other end of El Jardin Condo
The restaurant has a seating capacity of about 30-35 pax and it also carries some interesting items such as the kendama, a Japanese toy, and mangas. The staff can teach you how to play the kendama or you can browse at the mangas, or check the other items (some are for sale) while waiting for your food. And Go-En also has a black and white neko called Sylvester (sorry, I forgot to take his photo) which is a bit aloof but I think you can bribe it with some kara-age. :D
Wonton Tomato Ramen, P380. I was like, okay -- wonton tomato? The first thing that comes to mind is spaghetti noodle soup and that's a sign that this one-of-a-kind ramen already roused my interest in trying out new food or flavors. After my first sip, oh my! This is kitchen sorcery at its finest. The tomato broth is refreshing and addicting. I think the broth should be spicier but then, there are customers who doesn't like spicy food. Luckily, you can just add some chili powder. There's also a generous amount of meaty wontons. However, you must eat this ramen while its still hot to you can enjoy its tomato goodness.
Kara-age (fried chicken), P250. Thumbs up after my first bite! The chicken was crisp and garlicky especially the skin but the meat was tender and flavorful also. Can't wait to eat this again on my next visit. The mayo dip is quite good also and I was advised to squeeze in some lemon but I like my chicken plain and simple. One of the best kara-age that I've tasted.
Okonomiyaki, P350. This is another delightful dish. I was blown away with the well-balanced flavors. I've tasted some okonomiyaki before wherein the flavor is usually nonexistent in some parts especially the edges of the pancake but this one from Go-En made me fall in love with okonomiyaki again. A small slice is also filling already. And the sauce is not the thick kind which you want to remove because its just too much. Yummy okonomiyaki!
Taiyaki, or waffle with stuffing, P80. The dough tastes like crepe without sugar and it has adzuki (red bean) filling. Delish! Well, my daughter who's crazy about anything adzuki taught me how to appreciate it as well. Its a small fish but good for sharing. But there's also more --- they make this from scratch as soon as you order a Taiyaki. And since they have an "open" kitchen, you can watch them make the waffle.
Sakura Mochi, P80. This is another love. However, this must be eaten as soon as it is serve because the ice-cream will melt fast. The mochi is sakura-flavored although the taste was overpowered by the ice-cream itself.
Kara-age Kare, P350. As with my previous posts, I am saving the BEST for last. This is Go-En's most memorable dish (ramen) for me. I love Japanese curry although what I'm expecting is totally different from this ramen. The curry has just the right kick to make you want to slurp more of the broth which is really bursting with flavors. You can still add some chili powder if you prefer a spicier version. The ajitsuke tamago is also perfect although the one on the photo is not since it took us a long time to take photos and the broth is hot so the temperature "cooked" it further. This is one of the best ramen in Quezon City for me. And yes, the kara-age tastes delish, too.
Domo arigato gozaimasu Go-En!
Go-En Ramen Shoppe
Unit B1 Jardin de Zenaida
34 Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
Quezon City
*** the place is just at the other end of El Jardin Condo
So many ramen joints already!(: This post made me hungry! Would love to try that Taiyaki!
ReplyDeleteYes, the taiyaki is really interesting. :)
DeleteI tried their curry when I stayed in Japan few years back and I don't liked it. I even exchanged it to my friend hehehe. But I'm obsessed with Ramen.
ReplyDeleteHaha I love curry ;) Actually, it has a light curry flavor lang naman so even non-curry lovers will enjoy this ramen. But then, Go-En Ramen also serves a Cheese Ramen so maybe you'll like that instead of the curry :)
DeleteHaven't tried Go-En Ramen yet but I do find their food (based on your photos) yummy! Have you tried Hanamaruken?
ReplyDeleteHaven't tried Hanamaruken, the branches are just too far from us :)
DeleteAaahh looking through these photos, nakakagutom talaga. :D
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves Jap food! And ramen, of course. Will try this when we're in the area. :)
ReplyDeletelove the ramen. :) looks realky good.
ReplyDeleteNot really a ramen fan, though I would love to give this a try since it's near me lang :)
ReplyDeleteTheir kara-age is good ;)
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