Unique ramen you’ve never heard of before
Pork broth, two pieces of cha-shu, onsen egg and a huge portion of noodles – pretty much 80% of all ramen in Singapore. If you’re sick of that same old love, say bye to all the same same but different ramens and tuck into the unique ramen creations in this list.
1. Tonkotsu Fire Ramen
Shin-Sapporo Ramen takes burning hot to a literal level with Tonkotsu Fire Ramen ($15.80++). Set ablaze right before your eyes, it features their signature tonkotsu broth, thin and firm hakata-style noodles and slices of cha-shu, Japanese leek, and bamboo shoots. This is a special item, so drop the restaurant a call before you head down to make sure they’re serving it that day.
Address: 277 Orchard Road, #B2-04A/05, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6276 5708
Menu
2. Singapore-Style Ramen
No cha-shu needed in this local rendition. Recently awarded Bib Gourmand by the Michelin guide, A Noodle Story gives the dish a twist with Singapore-style ramen ($5/$6/$7). Springy noodles is topped with sous vide pork belly from Spain, crispy potato-wrapped prawn, wanton and braised egg to deliver a simple meal at hawker centre price.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #01-39, Amoy Street Food Court, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:15am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Sat 10:30am to 1:30pm
Tel: 9027 6289
Menu
3. Dry Ramen
Kajiken has been causing quite a stir in the ramen scene. This little store at Tanjong Pagar specialises in maze soba, a type of soupless ramen that requires you to mix the noodles with vinegar or chilli oil before digging in. Their signature Mazesoba Nagoya Style ($12.80) consists of dry noodles with spicy minced pork, seaweed, vegetables and a soft-boiled egg in the middle.
Address: 1 Tras Link, #01-07, Orchid Hotel, Singapore 078867
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 6pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun and PH 11:30am to 9:30pm
Tel: 9831 0441
Menu
4. Hokkaido Cheese Ramen
Okay, let me just lay it out there: Hokkaido. Cheese. Ramen. NEED. Ramen & Tonkatsu Ma Maison’s Hokkaido Cheese Tonkotsu Ramen ($17.80++) comes with finely shaved Hokkaido cheese that adds a milky taste to its tonkotsu broth without making the dish too creamy or salty. Ma Masion has several outlets, but not all of them serve this, so make sure you pop by the one at Capitol Piazza. Â
Address: 13 Stamford Road, #B2-51, Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178905
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6384 6211
5. Hot Stone Roast Ramen
Plastic bowls are too mainstream for Tonkatsu Kazan Ramen. Famous for their Kazan Ramen ($15/$18), also known as volcano ramen, this restaurant serves ramen in a hot stone bowl that was preheated to 300 degree Celsius to give the noodles a chewy texture after broth is poured in. A cone-shaped lid is then placed on top to funnel steam through, making it look like an erupting volcano – super cool.
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #01-09/10, Liang Court, Singapore 179030
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6397 6636
Menu
6. Lobster Ramen
Ramen Keisuke Lobster King got its name right. This restaurant at Clarke Quay serves all their ramen in lobster broth – shiok. Their broth is made with imported French rock lobsters that are pan-fried, crushed and simmered for 6 to 12 hours. Try Lobster Broth Ramen (Clear Soup) ($13.90), or add a dollar to go all out with the full-bodied Lobster Broth Ramen (Rich Soup) ($14.90).
Address: 3C River Valley Road, #01-07, The Cannery, Singapore 179022
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6pm to 5am
Tel: 6255 2928
Menu
7. Curry Chicken Ramen
Curry chicken noodles is great, but Curry Chicken Ramen ($8.50) is even better. Started by the same people behind Old Chang Kee, Curry Times added ramen to curry chicken to give their signature dish a Japanese twist. Topped with fish cake, tau pok, and egg, and made without coconut milk, this reminds us of a slightly healthier version of laksa.
Address: 11 Tanjong Katong Road, #01-70/71/72, One KM, Singapore 427157
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6702 2738
Menu
8. Kimchi Ramen
By combining kimchi paste with white chicken soup, JINzakaya delivers a creamier version of Korean kimchi ramyeon. The Kimchi Ramen ($12.80) here includes chargrilled chicken thigh and onsen egg, and tastes way better than the instant kimchi noodles you make for supper on hungry nights.
Address: 1 Farrer Park Station Road, #01-08/10, Singapore 217562
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm to 2:15pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6443 1173
Menu
9. Black Pig Shabu Ramen
Black pig, or kurobuta, has a higher fat content than the usual pork, and Tampopo’s Black Pig Shabu Ramen ($17.50) makes it into a full, hearty meal with ramen. Together with springy Kyushu noodles in pure pork bone soup, the thinly sliced black pig belly in this dish challenges cha-shu as a cult favourite in ramen.
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #01-23/24, Liang Court, Singapore 179030
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 11:30am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am to 10:30pm, Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6338 3186
10. Truffle Ramen
If you swear by anything truffle, then this one’s for you. Found at Kanshoku Ramen Bar, Truffle Ramen ($17.90) is made with truffle oil, shaved truffle and truffle pate, a paste that combines black truffle, oil and salt. Along with a rich tonkotsu broth, this is one decadent bowl of ramen to add to your list. Here’s what happened when we were there filming!
Address: 277 Orchard Road, #B2-04A/05, Orchard Gateway, Singapore 238858
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6384 4770
Unique ramen of all kinds unite
If ramen is your go-to comfort food, then these ten places will hopefully give you more choices on days when you need a bowl of piping hot ramen. Comment below if you’ve got more unique ones to recommend!
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