Since Straits Times’ food critic Wong Ah Yoke listed Chabuton Tonkotsu Ramen as one of the top 3 ramens in Singapore, I had to try it.
Chabuton already has quite a name in Thailand, and Japan – since the chef was crowned the King of Ramen by TV programme TV champion, and also the first ramen restaurant to be featured in the Michelin Guide.
It did take me quite a while (a month) before I hurried to give the new outlet at 313 Somerset a shot, because some of the other foodies gave the Singapore branch (and some the Bangkok ones) a less than stellular review.
Some told me “Don’t bother”. After all the number of new ramen places in Singapore is exploding.
No regrets. The signature Chabuton Tonkotsu Ramen ($11.90, $8.30 for smaller portion) was the best of the three I have tried.
Its broth was smoothly thick and creamy, but with a salty nuance which I suspect some customers may not fancy. Still satisfying and warm enough for me. Many bowls I tried in Singapore turn lukewarm only after moments.
Char siew was thin, leek without that deep-seated aftertaste, though noodles would be more al dente.
Add $3.00 for soft boiled egg and buta kakuni. This is a tough one, if only we can choose one without the other. The specially braised pork belly, all tender and melt-in-the-mouth, was possibly the best thing of the entire ramen bowl.
On the reverse the egg, rather tasteless and without a soft-centred yolk, was the worse. Quite CMI and may be that one thing to deter returning Singaporean customers.
The Kara Kara Uki-kouji Miso flavoured Ramen ($13.40) and Shio Ramen ($11.90) fared marginally shoddier, only because the tastes did not blend as well as it should have been.
Chabuton Ramen won’t be my Best 3 yet. There are some delicious elements in the bowl, but let down by some of the other parts. Don’t we want perfection in our ramen? So what’s your Best 3 Ramen?
Chabuton Ramen
Chabuton, 313 Orchard Road B2-01, 313@somerset, Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6636 8335
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm Daily
Other Ramen Entries
10 New Ramen Places In Singapore
Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo (Suntec)
Sanpoutei Ramen (Holland Village)
Ramen Kagetsu Arashi (The Cathay)
Ramen Mitsubachi (Orchard)
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