Ramen Santouka: Best Ramen in Singapore

September 28, 2010 | 18 Comments

Ramen Santouka

I don’t care if you are going to throw tomatoes or rotten eggs at me, but I am going to declare Ramen Santouka at Central as the best ramen restaurant in Singapore.

We’re raised to believe that there is always something better out there. What if there isn’t? What if this is the best ramen place in Singapore, but I keep insisting on finding a better one elsewhere? Does it mean I have to try a few lousy ramen restaurants before I come back to Ramen Santouka and believe that they have the best ramen in Singapore?

If you have been reading my food blog for some time, you will know that I am not the biggest fan of ramen. It reminds me of instant noodle, and it seems silly to pay over the odds for it. But somewhere along the way, I realize that it is much more than that.

A bowl of good ramen, has superior stock that is carefully prepared by the chefs for hours. A bowl of good ramen, has springy noodles that bounce off the tip of your tongue. A bowl of good ramen, comes with slices of charshu that never seem to be enough, and a boiled egg that is runny in the middle. I think the perfect bowl of ramen is the one from Santouka Ramen at Central and I believe many also think that they have one of the best ramen in Singapore.

Best Ramen Singapore

Even though I have not been to that many ramen places in Singapore, the Kara-Miso Ramen ($14.50) is a clear winner with its spicy yet addictive broth. The Shio ramen ($13.50) was good, but it paled in comparison to the spicy ramen.

I tried to coax the ramen to stay still, but it was far too mischievous and simply didn’t want to listen. The noodles bounced around the surface of my tongue, just like how a bunch of kids ran around in a playground. Slices of the ever-so-tender charshu had the “must-try-me-otherwise-you-will-regret-it” look. It was frighteningly tasty. How could something that’s so vulnerably thin, taste so good?

Ramen Santouka Singapore

Will you queue for ramen?

Go to Ramen Santouka during off-peak timings, if not be prepared to queue up for the bowl of ramen. Speaking of queues, I think I shall brave the long waiting lines to try Ippudo Ramen at Mandarin Gallery next!

Restaurant Review
Ramen Santouka
6 Eu Tong Sen Street #02-76
The Central Singapore
Tel: +65 6224 0668

Category: # Restaurant Review, * Central Singapore, Dining Guide Singapore, Food Photography, Singapore Food Blog
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Comments

18 Responses to “Ramen Santouka: Best Ramen in Singapore”

  1. huan
    September 28th, 2010 @ 10:26 am

    i love the pork cheeks at santouka. Best around.

    Ippudo go at odd hours and the queue is bearable. I have a post of it here. http://eatreadlive-foodprint.blogspot.com/2010/06/ippudo-singapore.html

    Enjoy! I am addicted to ramen too. :)

  2. Daphne
    September 28th, 2010 @ 11:17 am

    can i just say – i told you so? LOL

  3. Kelvin
    September 28th, 2010 @ 11:30 am

    I do love Ramen and this place is one of the better ones that I have eaten so far.

    I am so in love with the pork cheeks here.

  4. charmaine
    September 28th, 2010 @ 11:32 am

    i agree wholeheartedly. Have tried many ramen places in Singapore and Santouka is the best. Handsdown.

    2nd best would be the ramen at Tampopo in my opinion :)

  5. joyce
    September 28th, 2010 @ 11:34 pm

    Ippudo is rather “noisy” but I guess similar to the ramen bars in Japan? Stock is rather salty but perhaps it’s because I’m not too use to soup as salty as theirs. I do love the noodles and you can choose how you want it done – hard, medium or soft. I went for hard which came out just nice, for me anyway.

  6. Timothy Tang
    September 28th, 2010 @ 11:39 pm

    Maybe they are the best for those flavors you tried.

  7. Nutpi
    October 1st, 2010 @ 8:11 am

    your pictures of the ramen is really making me feel like eating ramen! Santokan ramen at Mitsuwa in New Jersey has the best ramen within a 200 mile radius from NYC! I have ippudo around my area but I absolutely rather eat Santokan ramen!!!

    I wonder if it tastes the same in Singapore!
    Thanks for sharing!

  8. m.Ru
    October 1st, 2010 @ 11:45 pm

    yes, i will Q an hour for this! pork cheek’s the best!

  9. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    October 2nd, 2010 @ 12:03 pm

    huan: yeah i know, definitely will not be crazy enough to queue at ippudo during their lunch/dinner hours. lol

    daphne: Yes my dear, you can! hahahahahah

    kelvin: You really sound like someone in love :D

    charmaine: i need to begin on my ramen tour soon!

    joyce: oh wow, you can choose the noodles too? you know, next time they will allow you to choose the texture of the pork! lol!

    Timothy Tang: Yeah i guess, it’s pretty subjective to personal taste

    nutpi: i am not too sure if they belong to the same management, but I am glad to hear that you have a good ramen place at your place!

    m.Ru: an hour for this? you are crazy! lol

  10. Royston
    October 3rd, 2010 @ 1:56 am

    Once again, i have to ask how is the portion ? hehe, is it equal to 1 packet of maggie mee ?

  11. saffyz
    October 6th, 2010 @ 12:28 am

    Yay! My favourite ramen so far too! :)

  12. Bee
    October 6th, 2010 @ 8:33 pm

    Have you tried their tonkatsu??? Kick ass.

  13. ah bui bui
    October 6th, 2010 @ 11:48 pm

    yeap.. i so agree with your post. like you , never ga ga over ramen, but theirs? they make me wana go back again for other variety.. and the pork cheek are meant to melt in your mouth.. soft and full of flavors.

    i finished everything!!

  14. Joelle Ng
    October 7th, 2010 @ 1:47 pm

    hi! have you tried the ramen at tampopo as well as ippudo? tampopo and ippudo seems to be very popular with their ramen, and i would like to know if compared, do you still prefer santouka? =)

  15. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    October 12th, 2010 @ 7:57 pm

    Royston: wow i really have no idea if it’s “one packet” of maggi mee. But the noodles are pretty substantial, both of us couldn’t finish the whole bowl (maybe we have a small appetite).

    saffyz: Yay! ramen santouka is the best ramen in Singapore!

    Bee: nope, is it really so good? shall go back to try that

    ah bui bui: Sounds like it’s time to go back to ramen santouka again? :D

    Joelle Ng: Hello i have tried the tampopo one! that’s one of my favorite too, because they have the awesome tonkatsu ramen! As for ippudo, i haven got the chance to try it yet, maybe soon!

  16. m.Ru
    October 16th, 2010 @ 6:47 pm

    seriously. :)

    I tried ippudo but didn’t like it. i still think santouka wins hands down. i’m biased. :P

  17. samantha
    January 17th, 2011 @ 7:36 am

    PLEASEEEE TRY IPPUDO! I totally recommend the Kyushu Miso Tonkotsu (in seasonal ramen part). I have brought my whole family and friends from Indonesia to eat there, and they are madly in love with Ippudo now! Trust me please!

  18. MC
    March 27th, 2012 @ 7:12 am

    any relation to Santouka in Mitsuwa Food court Orange County??! Best Ramen in Los Angeles.

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