Trying Ramen Yushoken’s Lechon Ramen and Lechon Chahan (Japanese Fried Rice): What a Way to End the Year!

Back in December 2023, my wife and I had a vacation in Cebu, a province in central Philippines. We were supposed to visit the Cebu branch of my favorite ramen chain in the country—Mendokoro Ramenba.

Because Cebu is famous for their lechon (roast suckling pig), the Cebu branch of Mendokoro has two exclusive dishes: The Lechon Ramen and Lechon Chahan (Japanese fried rice). We were hoping to try these (just thinking about it was making me salivate). Unfortunately, we had to skip Mendokoro Cebu due to time constraints.

Then earlier this year, select branches of both Mendokoro Ramenba and its sister ramen shop Ramen Yushoken offered the Cebu exclusives as an Independence Day (June 12) promo. We went in the afternoon but to our dismay, the dishes were already sold out!

Thankfully, Ramen Yushoken’s Alabang branch carries the Cebu exclusives all year long (I learned about it late!). So we went and finally tried the elusive Lechon Ramen and Lechon Chahan!

The Lechon Ramen replaces the usual chashu (Japanese braised pork belly) topping with lechon. By its look, I thought it would just be a Lechon Kawali (deep-fried pork belly), which is not bad. However, it uses an actual lechon that’s fatty, tender, and with actual lechon flavors, in which lemongrass is the most prominent.

The wait staff instructed us to either dip the lechon in the provided lechon sauce or pour into the ramen. Either way, it adds acidity and cuts through the fattiness since it has a vinegar base.

The broth is also amazing. I thought it would just be a normal tonkotsu (made with pork bones) broth. To my surprise, it also has lechon flavors, with a hint of lemongrass taste.

I just wish that the lechon skin would be crispier. Thankfully, that’s compensated by the pork cracklings at the top. And of course, the noodles are perfectly al dente.

The Lechon Chahan is simply Ramen Yushoken’s Chahan topped with lechon and pork crackling. Their chahan is one of the best Japanese fried rice I’ve ever tried, as it has a smoky aroma and chewy chashu bits.

What a way to end the year eating Ramen Yushoken’s Lechon Ramen and Chahan! It is one of the best Filipino-Japanese fusion dishes we can ever eat. So if you’re hunting for the exclusive dishes of Mendokoro Ramenba and Ramen Yushoken (and also of Marudori, another sister ramen shop but focuses on chicken ramen), then these dishes should be at the top of your list. I highly recommend it to you!

Ramen Yushoken Alabang

Address: Unit 20 Cluster 3 Molito Lifestyle Building, Zapote Rd. cor. Madrigal Ave., Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10AM-10PM; Friday-Sunday, 10AM-11PM | Contact No.: (02) 8808-7424 | Facebook | Instagram | Website (Nippon Hasha)