With the queue of Menya Fire Ramen reaching from Level 5 all the way to the OUTSIDE of Cineleisure Orchard, it seems that Singaporeans’ love for ramen is insatiable.
I have compiled a list of relatively new ramen eateries and outlets of the famous brands opened in the last 1.5 years or so. Here are 18 of them!
Menbaka Fire Ramen Singapore
Cineleisure Orchard #05-03, 8 Grange Rd, Singapore 239695
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
Famous Kyoto Fire Ramen Arrives At Orchard Cineleisure
For this is your first time to Menbaka, that I would recommend trying the signature of Shoyu Fire Ramen ($17.90).
The same shoyu used in the Kyoto main store is incorporated, specially imported from Tatsuno in Hyogo prefecture. The brand has been manufacturing soy sauce for 220 years.
As for the signature broth, it is created by simmering chicken bones for several hours.
An original blend of katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and sababushi (mackerel flakes) are also added to create that rich, umami flavour. The chicken would provide that savoury fresh flavour, while the fish gives a light aroma and more layered taste when you take sips.
The noodles are also not quite the usual style we are accustomed to, which is made-to-order Japanese-meet-Chinese style noodles, accordingly lower in hydration. This noodle type is said to match best with the soup.
The two things that stand out for me were the negi and the heat. The green onions are locally farmed, specially sourced from a local Japanese supplier.
There was a pile of it, refreshing and crunchy-sweet which helped balance out any greasiness. The broth stayed almost warm throughout the meal (plus not overly salty), giving the feeling of comfort to the belly. Menya Fire Ramen (Orchard Cineleisure)
Menya Kanae
275 Thomson Rd, Novena Regency #01-08, Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6261 6205
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Hokkaido-Style Prawn Ramen Restaurant & Café
There are a fair number of new ramen restaurants in Singapore, but this opening should stand out a little more, especially for prawn ramen lovers.
Make your oishii food wishes come true at Menya Kanae, as this is a café-by-day, Izakaya-by-night dual concept eatery. And it specialises in rich prawn broth ramen, which is not that commonly found in Singapore.
Satisfy your noodle cravings with Menya Kanae’s specialty prawn broth ramen of Tokusei Sapporo Ebi Tonkotsu Ramen ($19.80), featuring a rich and creamy tonkotsu base infused with a blend of seafood flavours.
Prawn heads combined with lobster bisque intensifies the bold taste of this thick pork bone broth which is cooked for more than four hours.
This bowl is loaded with bean sprouts, bamboo shoot, black fungus; then topped with a couple each of tender chashu, flame-seared Tiger prawns, and half an ajitama egg.
Then finished off with a sprinkle of spring onions, crunchy Sakura ebi tempura flakes, and crispy shallots.
If you prefer the thin Hakata-style noodles, then you are in luck. The ones here are QQ springy, though I would personally wish for a slightly-harder bite and less noodles – can be pretty filling.
The star of the bowl is the prawn + pork broth with umami oomph. Menya Kanae (Novena Regency)
Niku King – Ramen Keisuke
60 Paya Lebar Road #01-02/03/04 Paya Lebar Square Singapore 409051
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
NEW Ramen Keisuke Concept With Meaty Bowls From $11.90
Ramen Keisuke needs little introduction to ramen-lovin’ Singaporeans.
Niku King which replaced the older concepts at Paya Lebar Square is inspired by its popular sister outlet in Japan – Niku Soba has 5 outlets across the country.
Niku King’s pptions include Niku King Miso Ramen ($12.90), Niku King Tonkotsu Ramen ($13.90), and Niku King Shoyu Ramen ($11.90). Add $1 to change to a spicy version.
I must say that the prices remain friendly for its quality, plus complimentary eggs, beansprouts and water.
Comparatively, Niku King’s ramen broth is thicker, creamier with more umami as the meats used here are fattier and juicier.
I found the tonkotsu broth generally smoother and milkier, but not overly salty. Can be jelat for some. Niku King (Paya Lebar)
&JOY Dining Hall – Great World
1 Kim Seng Promenade, Great World #B1-133 Singapore 237994
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
RAMEN KIOU From Osaka With Deluxe Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen
Operating since 1995 at Osaka, RAMEN KIOU is known for its appetizing ramen staples, in particular the Tomato Chashu Ramen ($14.90) and Tomato Cheese Ramen ($14.90).
Order the Deluxe Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen ($14.50) and taste the house-special tonkotsu drawing salty flavours from the added soy sauce tare which makes this a classic Tokyo-style ramen.
Its signature house-made tonkotsu or bone broth is creamy and fragrant, a great pairing with its tender pork belly chashu slices braised in age-old tare. Their ramen noodles are soft yet firm with a springy texture.
Complete with assorted toppings including ajitama, nori, and negi or chopped green onions. &JOY Dining Hall (Great World)
Kure Menya
182 Cecil Street Frasers Tower #02-11, Singapore 069547 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Collagen-Packed Chicken Broth Ramen
Chicken-based ramen full of collagen? Kure Menya is a modern Japanese noodle joint specialising in inexpensive chicken ramen and more.
A Tori Paitan-style Chashu Ramen is priced at only $11.90 Nett. No GST or service charge.
Get the Tori Fest Ramen ($17.50 Nett), available in Original or Spicy. At the heart of each bowl of ramen is a collagen-rich chicken broth, meticulously prepared with attention, knowledge and precision for more than 8 hours.
The cloudiness in the soup is achieved from cooking chicken bones at a higher temperature with more robust boiling – no additional milk is included.
To bring out the true flavour of fresh ingredients, Kure Menya never uses MSG to season its cooking. Instead, it focuses on using ingredients to deliver unique taste profiles and umami.
This nutritious-tasting broth is the foundation of a signature Kure Menya ramen. I found the soup semi-rich (compared to the usual tonkotsu), surprisingly not salty, and therefore drinkable to the last drop.
Compared to the regular ramen, this comes with way more meat – chicken chashu and chicken braised sukiyaki style. Served with Ajitama egg and fresh chopped spring onions. Kure Menya (Frasers Tower)
Suparakki Ramen
Citylink Mall #B1-65 Singapore 039393 (City Hall MRT)
North Point City (South Wing) #B2-154, Singapore 769098 (Yishun MRT)
Westgate #B2-03 Singapore 608532 (Jurong East MRT)
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Affordable $6.90 Truffle Ramen At Citylink Mall
Adults and kids alike love the Original Tonkotsu Ramen ($7.90+), making it Suparakki’s bestseller.
Available in spicy and non-spicy versions, this ramen has a bold flavour that comes from its velvety, collagen-rich tonkotsu made from pork bone stock.
For 6 hours, pork bones (hocks and trotter) are boiled with various herbs and spices. No milk is added, yet the broth is naturally opaque white and creamy.
You get two slices of chashu, made from locally-sourced pork belly. Then meat is cooked sous vide for 24 hours at 68 degrees Celsius, resulting in tender pieces that’s cooked in a special homemade sauce. Served topped with nori, black mushrooms, chopped spring onions, and ajitama egg.
You may be wondering if something so affordable would have its quality compromised. Actually it was really not bad.
The noodles produced using high-grade Japanese flour manufactured in Suparakki’s own factory, had a pretty QQ and semi-firm bite, swimming in delectable broth.
For those who are afraid of soup bases which tend to be on the saltier end, this was slurp-worthy and not too rich (that you could even finish the entire bowl). You are also assured no MSG is added. Suparakki Ramen (CityLink Mall)
Hayashi
12 Alexandra View, ARTRA #01-11, Singapore 158736
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Ramen and Yakitori Bar at Alexandra
Not many people know about this new ramen bar which is of a short walking distance from Redhill MRT station, on the ground level of ARTRA.
The Signature Hayashi Ramen ($12.80) contains tonkotsu broth simmered for 10 hours with a mixture of fish broth to created a more layered flavour. This is paired with freshly made Hakata style ramen which is long and thin.
Also available is the Hayashi Dry Ramen ($12.80) which comes with stewed pulled pork seasoned with sauce, and also drizzled with truffle oil to give that added fragrance, especially after you give it a good toss.
Kiwami
Guoco Tower #B2-10, 1 Wallich Street, Singapore 078884
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sunt)
Tonkotsu Broth Simmered Over 10 hours
Get your comforting bowl of ramen from Kiwami, a popular ramen and gyoza bar that uses only quality ingredients.
It takes pride in its Original Tonkotsu, laboriously simmered over 10 hours using 100% Japanese pork bones. This broth, brimming with umami flavour, forms the perfect base for its ramen dishes.
For meat, they offer no less than Japan’s No. 1 beef – A4/A5-grade Miyazaki wagyu in selected dishes. Seafood is sourced from Hokkaido, while fresh eggs are imported from Okinawa. Ramen noodles are crafted from Hokkaido wheat using an original recipe.
Taste the recommended Premium Black Tonkotsu Ramen ($15.84), made with the original pork bone broth.
The Hokkaido wheat ramen noodles are topped with tender slices of cha shu cut of toroniku (pork cheek).
Infused with roasted black garlic oil for an alluring aroma, this ramen is topped with toasted garlic chips for that extra crunch.
Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta – Funan
109 North Bridge Rd, #01-04, Funan Mall, Singapore 179105
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
Tsuta Offers Crab Soba with Premium Char Siu & Crab Shell
Opened by Chef-owner Yuki Onishi in 2012, Tsuta has received numerous awards, including the coveted Michelin star in the Tokyo Michelin Guide – the first ramen eatery in Japan to receive the star.
The Singapore outlets has introduced the new Crab Soba with Premium Char Siu & Crab Shell ($23.80), a bowl filled with Japanese snow crab meat that has been lightly seasoned and flame torched.
The ramen is also included with Tsuta’s meaty Iberico pork belly and Kurobuta pork loin.
Savour the well-balanced broth which has been boiled with fresh mud crabs over a few hours in two ways – unmixed for a taste of pure oceanic delight and then thoroughly mixed for a multi-layered broth.
Each bowl comes in a rich, complex palate of fragrant seafood broth garnished with tomato paste, leek, sour cream, and dried oregano.
There are two other options which come without the crab carapace which are Crab Soba with Char Siu ($16.80), or top up $3 for a premium offering of Crab Soba with Premium Char Siu ($19.80) which is accompanied by a slice of Iberico pork belly and Kurobuta pork loin.
(Support the Community Chest with a purchase of Tsuta ComChest Hearts As One Sets available at upshop.me. 50% of the proceeds will go to ComChest. Purchase ends 29 Nov 1159hrs, while redemption is from 30 Nov 2020 till 28 Feb 2021 at Funan or VivoCity outlets.)
Ippudo
252 North Bridge Road #B1-61/62 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 189768
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 10:30am – 10pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
NEW Ippudo Outlet At Raffles City With Exclusive Dishes
Ippudo has opened a new 80-seater outlet at Raffles City, offering the brand’s signature ramen items as well as an array of exclusive dishes.
The exclusive dish include the Shaka Shaka Fries ($6.80) which is Ippudo’s take on the highly popular shaker fries, now coated with salty-sweet egg yolk powder.
Also new is the Teppan Rice, which is served with a medley of red and yellow peppers, corn, and crisp-fried Ippudo ramen noodles, then poured over with eggy cheese lava sauce.
For the ramen staples, the signature bowl is the Shiromaru Motoaji – the original creamy tonkotsu broth served with Hakata-style thin noodles, pork belly chashu, black fungus and spring onions.
Kanada-Ya Singapore
30 Raffles Place, #01-19/20, Singapore 048622
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
10 Paya Lebar Road, #03-30, Paya Lebar Quarter Mall (PLQ) Singapore 409057
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Truffle Ramen With Hakata Style Noodles
What makes the soup base special is the added secret sauce, hand-made by Kanada-Ya’s founder Mr. Kanada – a former pro keirin racer-turned-self-taught chef. This sauce is imported directly from the original restaurant in Japan to safeguard its authenticity.
The Truffle Ramen ($22.90 for basic, $24.90 for regular, $26.90 for special) is London’s favourite, a simple yet stunning Hakata style ramen topped with belly chashu, asparagus, and nori.
The distinctive aroma will definitely ‘arrive’ before the bowl does as diners wait in anticipation.
Its fragrance and flavour come from the black truffle oil mixed with the signature tonkotsu soup base, and the black truffle jelly topping made with black truffle paste.
Equally important as the soup base, Kanada-Ya’s noodles are made using a specific type of wheat flour with exact protein content and alkaline salts.
As a result, you get firm yet springy noodles to pair with their signature pork bone broth. If you like the thin and long Hakata style noodles with a firm bite, this will be right up your alley.
Kanada-ya has also opened at new outlet at Change Alley Mall, Raffles Place and. Kanada-Ya (Paya Lebar Quarter)
Ramen Hitoyoshi
Don Don Donki Clarke Quay Central, B1 11-28/44-51, No. 6, Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059817
Tonkotsu Ramen with Creamy and Thick Pork Broth
Ramen Hitoyoshi has outlets at Harbourfront Centre #01-99, Seletar Mall #02-K6, #03-21/22 City Square Mall, Mapletree Business City #02-38, Republic Plaza #02-13/14, and recently opened within Don Don Donki at Clarke Quay Central.
The ramen items are considered inexpensive in Singapore’s context, with a basic Tonkotsu bowl at $11.90, $13.90 with addition of ajitama egg, and $16.90 with an “all toppings” choice include seaweed and chashu.
We serve 3 types of soups (Original, Garlic & Spicy) and 2 types of noodles! Customize your choice to get a unique bowl of ramen to tantalize your taste buds!
Donburi were served at Seletar Mall (Chicken Teriyaki Donburi, Buta Shogayaki Donburi, Beef Sukiyaki Donburi, Salmon Mentai Donburi & Chashu Donburi).
When I took the first sip of the thick, creamy tonkotsu broth supposedly cooked for 8 hours, the taste reminded me of Keisuke Tonkotsu King when it first started out.
Except the Ramen Hitoyoshi had an even thicker quality, and used different type of noodles.
Donburi bowls are also served at Seletar Mall which includes Chicken Teriyaki Donburi, Buta Shogayaki Donburi, Beef Sukiyaki Donburi, Salmon Mentai Donburi and Chashu Donburi.
RAMEN KIOU
B1 Jurong Point, Japanese Food Street, 65 Jurong West Central 3, Singapore 648332 (Boon Lay MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Tomato Cheese Ramen From Osaka
This is RAMEN KIOU’s first outlet in Singapore, backed by Osaka’s all-time favourite Japanese-Chinese cuisine chain operator Daishin Jitsugyo. It has over 22 outlets in Japan, along with presence in Thailand.
The Tomato Cheese Ramen ($14.90) came with a luxuriously-thick tomato base with ramen noodles, topped with cheese and torched. Give it a good mix and you would enjoy the tangy-sweetness of the base.
It may remind you of tomato-based pasta, except that this is saucier and not-too-heavy since long, thin strands of ramen noodles are used.
Tip: Do not finish the sauce yet, as you can choose to top-up to get a bowl of rice with garlic to be mixed in. Other than ‘pasta’, you can have your fill of ‘risotto’.
If you prefer something more conventional, the signature ramen is the KIOU Ramen ($13.90), a salted-based tonkotsu broth with 2 pieces of house-made chashu.
Also available on its menu are the Chashu Ramen ($17.90) included with 5 pieces of chashu; Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen ($12.90) with a soy sauce base; and Abura Soba ($11.90) comprising of thick dry noodles in-house special sauce. &Joy Dining Hall (Jurong Point)
Menya Kokoro
Plaza Singapura #B2-53 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: 11am – 3:30pm, 5pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun), 11am – 10pm (Fri – Sat)
Last order half hour before closing
Mala Ramen By Mazesoba Specialist
Menya Kokoro has opened at Plaza Singapura basement 2. Singapore’s very own bestseller is the Furious Mala Ramen ($14.80, $16.80), not surprisingly a spicy choice since mala is still trending.
Like a traditional ramen, this bowl is filled with rich and slightly creamy tonkotsu-based soup.
But what differentiates it from the usual, is that the bowl is packed with intense flavors from the trio of Szechuan peppers, dried chili strings and chili oil.
The al dente cooked ramen is doused in the fiery mala soup, then topped with seaweed, chopped spring onions, and an onsen egg cooked to precision.
Up for a tongue numbing challenge? This is the dish to pick. If you are up for a bigger challenge, inform the staff to increase the “mala level”. Menya Kokoro (Plaza Singapura)
Afuri Ramen Singapore
VivoCity #01-167, 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585
Funan #B1-29 107 North Bridge Road Singapore 179105
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Famous Yuzu Ramen From Japan
Afuri is known for its light fresh chicken broth with a splash of citrusy yuzu, and I would consider it one of the 10 must-try ramen in Tokyo. however, its standard may be differing in Singapore, with a first outlet at Funan and new brand at VivoCity.
The water used in Japan’s outlets is said to be from the wells of Mount Afuri in Kanagawa, thus the name of the shop.
Though diners for the Singapore outlet may not be able to taste exactly that same standard.
The signature Yuzu Ramen available in Singapore include Yuzu Shio Ramen ($15.90), soya-sauce flavoured Yuzu Shoyu Ramen ($15.90), and spicy Yuzu Ratan Ramen ($15.90).
The thin noodles used reminded me of the type found at Hototogisu Ramen, to the softer side and could have been more springier.
The weakest link could have been the char siu. While the slice in Japan had a delectable smokey flavour because those were freshly grilled over charcoal, this local version was more ordinary and slightly dry. Afuri Ramen (Funan)
Shiki Hototogitsu Ramen
Jewel Changi Airport #B1-300 78 Airport Boulevard Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Michelin-Starred Ramen Eatery From Japan
What is note-worthy is that the original shop Sobahouse Kiniro Hototogisu 金色不如帰 from Tokyo was awarded a Michelin Star in the Tokyo Michelin Guide – the 3rd ramen shop in Tokyo to receive the honours.
Shiki Hototogisu Ramen has a “Four Seasons Ramen” menu, although this may just remind you of Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons at Bugis Village.
The four signature ramen dishes feature seasonal ingredients, namely Cherry Blossom (Spring), Young Bittergourd and Bamboo Shoot (Summer), Mushrooms and Porcini (Autumn), and Salmon (Winter). Each bowl is priced at $15.90.
The Spring Bowl interestingly comes with “cherry blossom oil” infused soup, though its flavour was neither distinct nor strong enough to leave an impressionable note.
I had Hototogitsu Ramen at different branches. While this was still an above-average ramen, I thought that the noodles were cooked too soft here, and ajitama egg lacking in flavours over at the Jewel outlet. Shiki Hototogisu Ramen (Jewel Changi Airport)
Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen
301 Upper Thomson Road 01-110 Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:45pm, 5pm – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Owner Chef Tan-San first started Hajime Tonkatsu & Ramen at myVillage at Serangoon Garden. This Thomson Plaza outlet opened in December 2019.
The recommended is the Ebi Fry Ramen. The 12-hour Tonkotsu broth is infused with a secret Sakura ebi paste made in-house.
Paired with a flavourful Loin Rib Chasu and Chef Tan-San’s famous crunchy Ebi Fry, it is topped with Japanese seasoning menma, bean sprouts, greens, a dash of Japanese chili oil (la-yu), and a sprinkle of crispy Sakura ebi.
The soup which that distinct sweetness coming from the prawns, is the clear winner.
Ikkousha @ Japan Gourmet Hall SORA
Changi Airport Terminal 1, #03-21, Singapore 819642
Tel: +65 6242 9087
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Tonkotsu Ramen At Changi Airport
You should have heard of Ikkousha, that popular ramen restaurant in Japan that attracts long queues, founded and operated by Chef Yoshimura Kousuke.
Named after 3 characters: ichi (one), ko (happy), and sha (place), this one happy place has 62 outlets around the world, including Japan, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Australia, Hong Kong, and USA.
The SORA outlet is its 3rd location in Singapore.
What really clicks with the diners is the signature Tonkotsu Ramen, a specialty of Hakata-ku Fukuoka.
You will find a thick, creamy and bubbly tonkotsu made by boiling carefully cleaned pork bones for over 12 hours every day.
The long and thin noodles are made in-house to match the soup, while the chashu is thinly sliced and well-seasoned to achieve that balance between ramen and toppings. Japan Gourmet Hall SORA (Changi Airport T1)
Other Related Entries
10 Affordable Bara Chirashi & Kaisendon In Singapore
9 Tendon Specialty Restaurants In Singapore
10 Hojicha Cakes & Desserts In Singapore
12 Refreshing MATCHA Latte & Drinks In Singapore
10 Tasty Tonkatsu In Singapore
* Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights.