HARD TALK
ni Pilar Mateo
NASUBUKAN ko na kung ano ang nasa menu ng Direku Ramen ni Direk Nijel de Mesa.
Gusto niyang kilalanin bilang ramen game-changer. Dahil sa binuksan niyang unique Japanese Fusion resto na ito sa no. 75 Sct. Lazcano street sa Kyusi.
From calling the shots behind the camera to running a global streaming platform—and now serving bowls of ramen that pack a distinctly Pinoy punch—Direk Nijel is proving that his next big hit might just be found in a bowl!
Naisip nga niya itong gawin dahil ang dalas niyang lumalabas ng bansa. Dahil ang tanggapan na niya na may kinalaman sa mga ginagawa niyang pelikula ay nasa Japan, Singapore, Hongkong, at marami pa sa palibot ng Asya.
Ang award-winning filmmaker and tech entrepreneur, na nagmamay-ari ng NDM PLUS, na isang global streaming platform na naka-base sa Singapore, eh gustong mag-focus din sa food and beverage industry.
Ang Direku Ramen ang bago niyang Japanese-inspired fusion ramen house.
Pasok ito sa mga may late night cravings dahil bukas siya hanggang 12:00 ng gabi.
Spotted na ngang bumababad sa nasabing restaurant ay ang couple na Robert Seña at Isay Alvarez, Richard Quan, Monina Lawrence, Sofia Pablo, Matt Lozano, Anthony Ocampo, Jong Cuenco, Tyrone Escalante and yours truly.
Japan meets Pinoy flavor na may surprisingly twist ang hatid ng mahusay niyang chef.
Ramen talaga ang paboritong kainin ni Direk saan man siya magtungo. Na nakita niya sa neighborhood ramen shops sa pag-iikot niya sa Nahoya, Osaka, at Tokyo sa Japan. Na roon matatagpuan ang kanyang NDM Studios.
Kaya he got inspired at ‘yun ang naging concept ng Direku Ramen na masasabi na ngayong hole-in-the-wall na puntahan ng kanyang mga kaibigan. At mga walk-in.
“I’ve always loved ramen because they get served very fast—and since I’m always busy, it has remained a staple and a favorite. Ramen is hot, delicious, filling, and often gets served very fast. It’s the perfect meal for busy people,” sabi pa nito.
But here’s where things get interesting: Direku Ramen isn’t trying to be just another Japanese ramen shop.
A self-confessed sweet tooth, Direk Nijel wanted to experiment with something beyond the usual ramen flavors. After several rounds of testing, the team landed on what is now the restaurant’s bestseller: the signature Direku Ramen, a unique creation with a touch of sweetness and a distinctly Filipino kick.
“Nag-experiment kami on different ramen before but being a sweet tooth, I was looking for something more. Our experiments led us to discovering our best-selling ramen now—which is called Direku Ramen. We felt like there’s no ramen like this in the world! It’s a bit sweet and has that Pinoy kick!
“Our friends encouraged us to go all the way with it and start a restaurant because of it,” dagdag pa ng direktor.
Bawat bowl ng ramen ay masasabing may sariling personalidad.
Sosyal. Na affordable.
And for fans of Direk Nijel’s films naman, there’s another surprise waiting on the walls.
The restaurant doubles as a showcase of his award-winning NDM titles, including Coronaphobia, Malditas in Maldives, Rob the Firipins and Taipei Tanders.
May sine ka na, may ramen at gyoza ka pa.
‘Yun ang point!
Ang simple nga lang ng menu. Ramen at gyoza lang. Solved ka na!
Make it your next food destination!
Kung saan a night out meets the comfort of home.
At kahit ngayong sa Australia naman sila lumipad, ang goal nila ng partner na si Jan ay magpatuloy pa rin sa pag-inog niya ang mundo ng NDM sa bansa. Sa ‘di malilimutang ramen at gyoza na ihahain ni chef Ahmed Alejo.
Tara na!
