Singaporeans are typically fond of their tonkotsu-style ramen, and some may still be unfamiliar with Mazesoba. Some people describe this as ”Japanese Bak Chor Mee” – not that wrong either.
Mazesoba, literally translated as “mixed noodles” is a type of broth-less ramen, particularly popular during the hotter summer months.
So even though there is “soba” in its name, the dish is technically “ramen”.
To me, the appeal in the noodles is about the mixture of all toppings and sauces. Even though there are many ingredients and so much going on, when all are mixed together, they create this complex but blended flavour with satisfying mouthfeel.
Mazesoba can be explained as dry Japanese ramen (or Japanese gan mian), in which “maze” means “to mix”, and “soba” means “noodles”.
Here are 8 Best Places To Get Your Mazesoba Fix in Singapore:
Menya Kokoro
3 Temasek Boulevard # 03-313 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6235 3386
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/menyakokorosg/
Japan’s Most Popular Mazesoba Chain Opens In Singapore At Suntec City
The Japanese dry ramen brand has opened 27 outlets worldwide within a short number of years, including Japan, Indonesia, Spain, Thailand and Vancouver, and looks set to expand further.
The local store in Singapore is helmed by the founder Chef Takuma Ishikawa himself, who trained under the originator creators of Mazesoba, and once won the Best Mazesoba Award in Japan. Therefore, you will be assured of the ‘Japanese-quality’.
The five types of Mazesoba on Singapore’s menu range from the original Tokyo Maze-Soba, Cheese Maze-Soba, Curry Maze-Soba, Spicy Maze-Soba and Vegan-Maze-Soba, together with some Singapore-exclusive creations
The Spicy Maze-Soba ($11.80++) is my favourite bowl, but the spiciness is likely to divide people. Some of us shared this bowl – a couple enjoyed the kick, the shiokness which result in some sweat to break out.
There were others who thought this might have been too fiery for their liking.
And here I am, asking them to add more of those spicy oil. When the spices and meat sauce coat the noodles, the sensation was like having a good-old bowl of comforting Mapo-Tofu. Menya Kokoro (Suntec City)
Kajiken 油そば専門店 歌志軒 – Novena
10 Sinaran Drive #02-03 Square Two Singapore 307506 (Novena MRT)
Tel: +65 6904 4714
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Kajiken – Tanjong Pagar
Orchid Hotel #01-07, 1 Tras Link Singapore 078867 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 82260199
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:30pm, 6:00pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 9:30pm (Sat – Sun)
1st Mazesoba Specialty Shop In Singapore
Kajiken at Orchid Hotel is the first shop dedicated to selling just Mazesoba in Singapore.
Its signature dish is Mazesoba Nagoya Style ($12.80), in which dry ramen noodles is mixed with spicy minced pork, soft boiled egg, seafood and chopped vegetables.
The mix of sauce reminded me of the Taiwanese style of Dan Dan Mian, with a mild level of spiciness that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. Yet added with that umami mouth-feel as you take bites.
I liked the addition of chopped vegetables and egg – one provided the occasional crunch and refreshness; the other a layer of stickiness between the noodles.
Even though the wheat noodles seemed moderately thick, the combination was well-balanced and didn’t feel too heavy. Kajiken (Novena Square 2)
Ramen Champion – Bugis+
201 Victoria Street, Bugis+ #04-10 Singapore 188607
Tel: +65 6238 1011
Opening Hours: 11am – 10.30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 10:30pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
https://www.facebook.com/RamenChampionSingapore
Mazesoba Created By 3 Ramen Masters
The Chef Horikawa Maze Soba ($12.80+) is created after a 3-way collaboration between Tsukemen Masters Chef Tomiyama and Chef Ohashi from Japan; and Chef Horikawa from Ramen Champion.
Chef Horikawa uses his original maze soba sauce blend to bring the authentic taste of classic Japanese maze soba.
Accompanied with sliced spring onions, spicy minced pork, matchsticks of nori seaweed, creamy mentaiko, a dollop of mayo, and topped with an onsen tamago.
Break the runny egg yolk to make your maze soba creamier and milder in spice. Toss the ingredients together to create a gloopy mix before you dig in.
Enjoy a generous portion of chewy, springy noodles mixed with the medley of ingredients. Available at Teppan no Hoshi stall in Ramen Champion Bugis+. Ramen Champion (Bugis+)
Kaneta Shoten
133 New Bridge Road, B1-44/45 Chinatown Point Singapore 059413 (Chinatown MRT)
Tel: +65 6443 8366
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm (Mon – Fri), 11:00am – 10:00pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
Truffle Mazesoba At Chinatown Point
The signature Kaneta Mazesoba ($13.90) is a truffle scented dry ramen with special sauce.
I find the pricing reasonable (some ramen are quite ridiculously priced nowadays), especially when this comes free up size, free eggs and free flow pickled spicy pineapple.
There was a good mix of flavours and texture, from the spicy minced pork and soft mushrooms. The truffle does not ‘hit’ you immediately, but comes as a subtle aroma upon every bite.
Compared to Kanshoku Ramen Bar, this uses thicker noodles and has a more ‘complicated’ overall taste. Think each will have their own following. Kaneta Shoten (Chinatown Point)
Uma Uma Restaurant & Bar
9 Raffles Boulevard #02-06, Millenia Walk Singapore 039596
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 12am (Mon – Sat), 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Sun)
Mazesoba at Forum Galleria and Millenia Walk
A brief background of Uma Uma Ramen: A ramen chain from Fukuoka Japan, established n 1953, its name a play on “umami”, and Singapore’s Forum Galleria outlet is its first venture overseas.
The Mazesoba ($17) contains springy noodles added with chasiu, bamboo shoots, leek and sprinkling of spring onions. You may get hooked on the sauce.
There is also a vegetarian option with chasiu at $15.
Menya Sakura
1 Tras Link Road, #01-07, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
Tel: +65 9469 3366
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm, Last Orders 10:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun, PH
Nagoya Style Ramen and Mazesoba At Tanjong Pagar
Menya Sakura at Orchid Hotel Tanjong Pagar (previously at 64 Boat Quay) is the group’s first outlet in Singapore, and it specialises in Nagoya-style ramen.
Its Abura Soba ($9.90) is affordably priced, containing cubes of pork char siew, bamboo shoots, spring onions and ajitama egg. There is also a Spicy Abura Soba version ($10.90).
The special blended sauce at the bottom is made with 3 different soy sauces, and tasted refreshing and ‘clean’.
As for the noodles, they are cooked quite el dente with a delicious chewy bite. Overall, the mixture is not that heavy. Menya Sakura (Tanjong Pagar)
Menya Sanji Singapore
1 Tras Link, #01-14 Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
Tel: +65 6604 8891
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 11:00pm (Mon – Sun)
Dry Ramen With Spicy Miso Sauce
Another ramen store found at Orchid Hotel. Menya Sanji serves up Japanese style Sanji Mazesoba ($9.80++) topped with stir-fried pork, half and egg and vegetables.
Its special components are the tasty soy sauce base, mixed along with spicy miso sauce.
The accompany soup is said to be cooked for 20 hours in Kagoshima before being imported into Singapore.
Daily Noodles
Amoy Street Food Centre, #02-130 Singapore 069111
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 3:00pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Mazesoba Found at A Hawker Centre
It is not that common to find Mazesoba sold in a food centre. The stall-owners behind Daily Noodles wanted to sell their noodles at a price range in which everyone can enjoy.
”I recall a ramen master once said that ramen should be sold at a price point where a convenient store part-timer’s one hour salary can afford.”
Their Nagoya Dry Ramen is sold at an inexpensive $6.00, containing springy noodles, toppings of minced meat, fried shallots and runny egg. Tip: add a sprinkling of vinegar, and it would taste even more like ”Bak Chor Mee”.
I would personally recommend the Chashu Mazesoba ($6.50) which includes slices of pork belly with smoky flavour.
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