ICHIBAN-TEI & BAIKOHKEN RAMEN

Recently I got to know from foodie friends about two popular ramen restaurants in town. Being crazy about ramen, I just (die die) must try them out. First was the Kyushu-style Netsuretsu Ichiban-Tei Ramen restaurant located at Liang Court Shopping Mall basement (near to Meidi-ya supermarket). Previously located at Robertson Quay, the restaurant is famous for its tonkotsu (pork bone broth) and tantan (spicy peanut) ramen. I ordered the super tantan-men (extra spicy), plus a plate of fried cuttlefish. The tantan-men soup had both sesame and miso flavours, with hot pepper and grinded peanuts, topped with minced pork, beansprouts and spring onions. The taste was delicious and not really spicy. The noodle was springy and tasty. The minced pork could have been less salty. The dish was very different from the Chinese Sichuan version. As for the fried cuttlefish, it was crispy and delicious.

• Food & Beverage 7/10 • Ambience 7/10 • Service 6.5/10




The second was the Hokkaido/Asahikawa-style Baikohken Ramen restaurant (www.baikohken.com) located at 7 North Canal Road (opposite OCBC main branch building). This restaurant is popular for its shoyu, miso and shio (salt-based) ramen. I ordered a bowl of shoyu ramen, plus a plate of gyoza (5 pieces). The soya sauce flavoured soup (pork bone and seafood broth) was very delicious and not too salty. The big pieces of chashu were soft and tender, with the braised bamboo shoots very tasty. The curly egg noodle was not too springy though, abit overcooked. Overall the dish was very good. The gyoza was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The 2 Japanese chefs and their service staff were very friendly. I had a good time chatting with them about Japan travel and food culture.

• Food & Beverage 7.5/10 • Ambience 7/10 • Service 8/10