Samurai Ramen

Japanese Ramen that is vegan, MSG free and acttually taste good? Yes, it exists, in teh form of Samurai Ramen!

 I love the spicy, umami rich broth of this Ramen. In fact, I immediately brought another packet after trying this for the first time.

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: Cold Storage Sueprmarkets

Sanpoutei Ramen - Interesting Dishes

What got me to patronise Sanpoutei Ramen is the menu of interesting dishes not commonly seen in other dishes. And one of them I got to try is Aburi Chashu Onigirazu. A bit different from sushi since the rice is not seasoned with vinegar, but the quality rice used in this is delicious, carrying its own flavours that it still tastes great without vinegar. The chashu of course does a lot to add more striking taste to this creation. A wholesome treat.

Prawn and Avocado with Mango Sauce is another interesting dish. The avocado balls coated with crispy yet soúffle tempura batter and slathered with zesty mango sauce are rich in taste and yummy. The prawns are very plump and meaty, its umami accentuated by the mango sauce.

Despite the huge variety of ramen available, I decide to be adventurous and order Shoyu Ramen with Egg instead. The stock base is interestingly made from sardines instead of the usual pork bone soup. The soup is pretty nice and full of flavours, considering that I don't like sardines. However, this does not turn me into a sardine fan. The typical bitterness of sardines, which I don't like, is evident in the soup. So while I'm impressed they can make a pretty good soup out of sardines, I can't like it.

But the noodles is very good though. I like it that these freshly handmade noodles are springy and slightly flatter in shape, creating a different sensation in eating ramen. The chashu and wild spinach are very good too since both easy to bite. Maybe with these ingredients and tonkotsu soup, I may actually find a gem of ramen?

Update: I finally tried the ramen with Tonkotsu soup base here!

Super rich and flavorful soup paired with super springy ramen, this is the exact ramen I want.

The place is a slightly upmarket ramen shop with nice, wide plush seats, wooden craving panels at the tables and lattice wooden roof. The service is decent and efficient. I do like to come back again and try other interesting dishes here and the ramen with tonkotsu soup base. I'm really curious about the tonkotsu soup.

Thoughts: Interesting

350 Orchard Road

#B1-04/05 In Shaw House

Nearest MRT: Orchard

Don Don Donki - I go Crazy Shopping here lol

After a recent change in lifestyle, I can now shop reins free! Well, sort of. And going to Don Don Donki simply awakens that shopaholic soul in me. So yes, while I go here with a see see look look attitude, I end up going crazy on the buying and just put whatever I like into the basket.

First mention is the Shine Muscat Grapes, the best grapes in the world! This grape is like the refreshing condensation of the sweetest fruity wine. Thin skin and no seed, it's perfection manifested in grape form. A must get if going to Don Don Donki.

The mini tomatoes are pretty sweet too and super juicy. So good that I can eat these as snacks.

The Emina Cheese Dessert is like pudding in triangular form. Very interesting and the taste is creamy and good.

Otafuku Okonomiyaki is delicious and authentic. Good to satisfy cravings for some omelettes packed with vegetables and some seafood. I like it that the sauce, bonito flakes and seaweed flakes are included.

My Star Deli Ebi Croquettes is one of my star buys of the day. The creamy prawn filling hidden within the fried mashed potato is a joy to eat since it is umami goodness.

This ramen smells so good and tastes great too. The broth is milder in flavour, not as salty and not as strong in pork taste, exactly how I like it. In fact, I finish the soup.

My Favourite Grocery shopping places!

Ichiran Ramen

 

The Best packaged Ramen. Flavourful broth with spiciness that one can adjust. And the al dente level of the thin noodles can be adjusted according to one’s preference.

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: https://shopee.sg/product/91799978/6312979755?smtt=0.147269227-1656248144.9

Ichigen Ebi Soba Miso Ramen

 

Enjoying thick noodles soaked with tasty broth full of the essence of shrimp, ahh, that’s life. This ramen from Hokkaido is good and I like the novelty of the noodles being freshly packed instead of drying it before packing.

Country of Origin: Japan

Where to get this: https://shopee.sg/product/400463472/8027419904?smtt=0.147269227-1656138004.9

Uma Uma Ramen - Charms of Izakaya

Closed

It’s official, Nihon Street is one of my favourite haunt now, with Uma Uma cementing the regular haunt status of this place. Like the other offerings of Nihon Street, Uma Uma adds to the bustling vibe of Nihon Street, which features restaurants that is perfect for gatherings: to chill out and just have boisterous conversations with one's companions.

The interior resembles a hybrid of Japanese Izakaya with the wooden wall panels and furniture and modern pub due to the dim yellow lights and bar counter. It is interesting and gives the feel that this is the place to cast your inhibitions aside and just enjoy the company of your friends … or family, maybe. And the friendly, easy-going staff makes it even more so.

While I love this restaurant, it is not because of its soup-based ramen since I find the soup to be too strong in the taste of pork—Burosu Honten's ramen is still my favourite for ramens with soup. The dish that seals the deal for me is actually the Mazesoba Chasiu—a dry ramen. This ramen is amazing due to the springy yellow noodles and generous toppings of chasiu—a kind of barbecued pork, spring onions, leeks and sesame seeds. These ingredients yield a ramen that has robust flavours. And a splash of chilli oil gives that extra kick to the taste, covering all spectrums of flavours. This is definitely a must-try.

Spicy Chasiu rice bowl is like the miniature version of Mazesoba Chasiu, with rice replacing the noodles. The starchy Japanese rice goes very well with the ingredients also. But I do find that this dish is way spicier than Mazesoba Chasiu, and not everyone is able to take that level of spiciness. Chasiu rice bowl, on the other hand, does pale in comparison to its spicy counterpart as without the chilli, the chasiu tastes a tad too salty.

Spicy Negitoro rice bowl is a nice alternative to all the chasiu dishes. The spicy sauce drizzles on top of the raw minced tuna works to make the otherwise plain dish exciting. The pearl-like rice helps a lot to make this rice bowl worthwhile to try.

And Chicken Karaage is a nice bite-sized treat.

With the love for this place's dry ramen, rice bowls and casual ambience, I have been going to here on regular basis already.

My Thoughts: It is one of my Favourite Haunts!

This restaurant is no longer in operation.

Burosu Honten Gyoza and Ramen - Best Ramen in Every Way

Closed

I know I used to say Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen was the best ramen. But that was before I had tried the ramen at Burosu Honten Gyoza and Ramen. The ramen at this place wins hands-down in terms of ramen texture and the amount of ingredients added.

Actually, this is the last of the Emporium Shokuhin restaurants that I visited since the place looks kind of unassuming, like that little humble izakaya hidden in a corner to be forgotten. Well, looks can be deceiving, and the crowd, in the midst of the quiet Marina Square, hints at what this restaurant have to offer. And very good ramen that is.

One of the highlights of this restaurant is that the patrons can choose to have their ramen prepared according to their preference, meaning there are options on the texture of the ramen, the taste of the broth—ranging from light to heavy and the spiciness. So you can order your ramen exactly the way you like it. Even though I chose the light broth, it is still very tasty, saturated with seafood flavour—since I chose Ebi Ramen. Add a tad bit of spiciness for kick, the soup blew me away the first time I tried it.

The ramen is very springy, soft but not soggy—perfect texture, I must say. Not many places can get this right, not even Tonkotsu Kazan. And I love the generous amount of ingredients added, ranging from three huge prawns, fish cake, pickles and finely chopped spring onions. The prawns are very fresh and succulent, not surprising, considering that Emporium Shokuhin has live seafood section. Oh yes, I had also tried the Kani Ramen, and I'm so pleased to see huge chucks of fresh real crab meat sprinkled on the top of the ramen. So do they taste good? Well, of course!

My guy tried the Tonkotsu Ramen and the one with Black Garlic, and he absolutely loved them ... and still loving them now. I like the unique flavour of the broth with Black Garlic, it is a ramen with a twist.

The service of some staff there is exceptional. Not all are fantastic, but I think that they are still good, with consideration on the price range of the food there.

Among all the restaurants in Emporium Shokuhin, this one got to be most wallet-friendly. And it is the one that impresses me the most. Then am I going back again? The truth is my guy and I visit this restaurant so often until some of the staff recognize us already.

My Thoughts: It is one of my Favourite Haunts!

Well, cannot go there any more since this restaurant is currently not in operation. And there is not much reason to visit Marina Square anymore.