Located in Oxley Bizhub—just a short walk from Tai Seng MRT Station—Yamato Izakaya is a melting pot of three Japanese dining concepts under one roof! Featuring the likes of famous unagi restaurant, Man Man, Ramen Hitoyoshi and Tora Tora, this restaurant is on its way to becoming a stalwart for local Japanese dining in Singapore.

Beloved for their fresh and modern renditions (and generous portions) of grilled Japanese eel, Man Man’s unagi dishes is a definite must-try. But be sure to save room for Ramen Hitoyoshi’s signature ramen as well as the vast array of sushi and donburi options courtesy of Tora Tora.

Yamato Izakaya is no doubt one spot to visit should you find yourself hankering for authentic, rock-solid Japanese food. On Saturdays, parking on site is free so that’s another plus point if you’re thinking of paying this restaurant a visit for a hearty family lunch.

It’s pretty difficult to miss this restaurant because whether you are driving past, in or around Oxley Bizhub, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of their massive signboard out front.

The restaurant itself can easily accommodate more than a hundred patrons given its huge space and the 3 kitchens all take on an open concept, meaning that you get to see the chefs at work while you wait for your food.

Man Man offers its famous unagi in three portions—Unatama (S$20.50++), medium (S$28.40++) and large (S$36.10++)

The Unatama (S$20.50++) is substantial enough to allow one to savour their prized dish without getting sick of it as well as to leave room to try the other offerings from Ramen Hitoyoshi and Tora Tora.

Tastewise, it was probably one of the best unagi dishes we have ever had in Singapore. Sweet, oily with a deeply charred flavour and texturally one of the most delicate pieces of fish around, take our word for it and order a bigger portion of this.

The rice bowl comes with 2 thick slices of tamago which do well to bolster the richness of the unagi as well.

Hitoyoshi Ramen delights diners with their wide array of ramen dishes that are all customisable depending on how distinct your palate is. We opted for the most basic, Tonkotsu Ramen (S$10.90) which came with a generous portion of ramen noodles, slices of pork and a beautifully seasoned egg.

The Tonkotsu broth was rich in flavour and brimming with porky goodness. The infusion of the black fungus really does give it a heightened umami taste and we particularly loved just how thick and concentrated the broth was.

If you’re ever unsure of what to order, especially given Tora Tora’s extensive range donburi offerings, consider their Futago Don which essentially is a pair of dons in one!

We got the Kaisen Don (S$7) along with the Ikura Don (S$7) which comprised a generous serving of diced up salmon, tuna, scallops, geoduck and a huge dollop of ikura over top. Salty, fresh and jam-packed with umami goodness, this is definitely something to opt for if you’re a sashimi fanatic.

Yamato Izakaya
65 Ubi Road 1, #01-92 Oxley Bizhub,
Singapore 408729
Tel: +65 6385 5273
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

There is just something so inviting about a hot bowl of rich and nourishing ramen and it is one of our go-to comfort foods whenever we need a perk me up especially on wet gloomy days in Singapore. But it is hard to find a sumptuous bowl of ramen that comes at a reasonable figure and this is why Ramen Hitoyoshi should be your next dining destination. 

Ramen Hitoyoshi is a 2-month old restaurant in Harbourfront Centre that all ramen lovers need to know. Brought to you by a partnership between local chefs Ray and Tan who have a breadth of experience in various dining establishments including Keisuke Ramen, Ramen Hitoyoshi’s menu features a selection of affordable yet tasty ramen options starting from S$10.90, and diners also have the opportunity to customise their own ramen.

Ramen Hitoyoshi focuses on Tonkotsu ramen in three varieties namely garlic, original and spicy. Aside from picking the variant of Tonkotsu broth for their ramen, diners can also choose the intensity of the taste of the soup, the amount of oil in their ramen, the thickness and texture of the ramen noodles.

And for those who need a little something to nibble on before receiving their order, Ramen Hitoyoshi provides containers of marinated bean sprouts and corn on each table to temporarily sate your hunger.

The Tonkotsu (S$10.90) comes with a piece of Chashu, black fungus, spring onion and a generous portion of ramen noodles. Our first impression of the Tonkotsu was the high viscosity of the soup; that would only mean that it must be chock full of flavour, right?

Well, yes. The thick and creamy Tonkotsu broth was oh so satisfying and we felt that for S$10.90, it was a steal. As for the Chashu, you may feel slightly disappointed when you see a singular piece but throw away all of such judgment because the meat was tender and had a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Spicy Tonkotsu with Ajitamago (S$13.90) was another dish we enjoyed. Like the Tonkotsu, it had the same ingredient makeup except for the addition of chilli oil, Ajitamago and a scoop of spicy minced pork. For us, we did not feel that the broth was particularly spicy but it further enriched the taste of the broth.

If you are searching for quality ramen at affordable prices, make Ramen Hitoyoshi your next dining destination.

Ramen Hitoyoshi
1 Maritime Square, #01-99 Harbourfront Centre,
Singapore 099253
Tel: +65 6250 8518
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

When it comes to proper comfort food, especially on cold rainy days, there is none quite as hearty as a bowl of hot ramen. Yet, for something so simple—just hot soup, simple ingredients and noodles—restaurants in Singapore often overcharge for it.

Nestled in the heartland of Kovan along the same row as popular Thai eatery, Nakhon Kitchen is Gonpachi Ramen. At this humble ramen joint, you can expect gorgeous bowls of restaurant-standard ramen that will not cost you more than S$8.

Using freshly imported ingredients from Japan, Gonpachi Ramen serves traditional Japanese ramen, delectable rice bowls and small dishes with a blend of local flavours. This is a joint you should definitely visit for top-notch comfort food at pocket-friendly prices.

Gonpachi Ramen dishes out a creamy tonkatsu (pork bone) and tori (chicken) soup base that finds its origins in the Kyushu and Nagasaki Region of Japan. You can have the option of selecting from 3 different soup types—miso, chicken and pork.

An added bonus is that the broth is enhanced with collagen, which is believed to be the essence of health and beauty, so beauty nuts get excited.

We went for a slightly more unusual option, the Smoked Duck Chashu Ramen (S$7.80). Each bowl comes with 3 slices of smoked duck, bamboo shoots and half a flavoured egg. We liked that the noodles were cooked just right—springy, soft with a good amount of bite.

The soup was creamy, tasty but surprisingly light, which made it so easy for us to gulp down the entire bowl. The smoked duck really accentuated the broth well too.

If you are unsure of what to have, then we highly recommend going for the Seven Wonder Ramen (S$7.80) that essentially features the best of everything. This dish comprises 7 types of toppings—a large prawn, half a flavoured egg, bamboo shoots, minced meat, black fungus, corn and a spicy green chilli sauce.

We liked that this dish encompassed so many flavours, from the sweetness from the prawns and corn to the savouriness of the minced meat and broth.

Overall, we were utterly satisfied with our meal here, and considering the price we paid for such a sizeable portion of ramen, we are certain that we will be back to try their other varieties.

Gonpachi Ramen
212, Hougang Street 21, #01-329
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 6584 1943
Sun to Thu: 11.45am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.45am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.45pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

For more recommendations, read our guide to 11 restaurants, cafes and eateries in Kovan that are worth checking out.

Photo Credit: Drama Fever

Tsuta Ramen started out as a humble 9-seater ramen shop in Tokyo, and serves only 150 bowls daily. And they earned themselves a Michelin star last December, making it the first ramen stall to receive the coveted award.

But now, you do not need to make a trip all the way to Japan just to have a taste of this famed ramen, for they are opening a stall right here in sunny Singapore come October 2016. We can foresee snaking lines and instant popularity for Tsuta Ramen.

The quiet little stall in Tokyo sees queues from 6am daily, and we are pretty sure it won’t be any less here in Singapore.

Founded by Chef Yuki Onishi, Tsuta Ramen’s signature firm noodles are made with four types of whole wheat flour. The base of the soy broth is made with three types of shoyu: shoyu soba; shio soba; and miso.

One of the signature dishes from Tsuta Ramen is their Yakibuta Shoyu Soba, which incorporates soy sauce and a mix of seafood and chicken broth. It is then topped with classic slices of chashu pork and bamboo shoots. There are other various shoyu and shio varieties on the menu as well.

It is said that the chefs who will helm the Singapore outlet will be using the same special soy sauce and premium ingredients that its Japanese counterpart uses, hence upholding the high standards.

Tsuta Ramen is also said to be the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant you can dine in. In Japan, a bowl of their ramen goes for ¥1,100; that’s approximately S$14. And we are hoping it won’t be crazily marked up here.

Tsuta Ramen will sit on the first level of Pacific Plaza.

Tsuta Ramen Singapore
Pacific Plaza L1
Singapore 228210
Nearest Station: Orchard

Ramen is one of the most popular Japanese food for a reason. It is not only comforting and delicious, but also relatively affordable. We are very lucky that there are many good ramen shops in Singapore which are as good as the ones that you can find in Japan.

Here is a guide to the best ramen in Singapore.

Bari Uma Ramen

Bari Uma does a mean bowl of ramen which we feel is completely underrated. Don’t miss out on their gyozas, which were fresh, succulent and bursting with juices.

#B1-01 Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
Tel: +65 6887 4484
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Ippudo Ramen

Often cited by ramen aficionados as the best ramen in Singapore, Ippudo is also one of the most expensive. But it is not unjustified, considering the food quality and the luxe dining environment. Don’t miss out on their pork buns while you are there too.

333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 2797
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Keisuke Tonkotsu King

The snaking queues during lunch and dinner time probably says it all – Keisuke Tonkotsu King is the epitome of ramen, and probably the closest you’d ever get to an authentic ramen experience.

#01-19 Orchid Hotel
1 Tras Street
Tel: +65 6636 0855
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Keisuke Tori King

It is hard to imagine how a chicken-based broth can taste so good, but Keisuke Tori King yet again impresses with a robust broth that is surprisingly light on the palate. We particularly liked the tender chicken thigh that comes with each bowl, with meat so tender we do not even miss our chashu.

#03-15 100 AM
100 Tras Street
Tel: +65 6604 6861
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Marutama Ramen

Another popular ramen restaurant in Singapore is Marutama Ramen. It specialises in chicken soup-based ramen, which is light and tasty, and great for a quick lunch.

#03-90 The Central
8 Eu Tong Sen Street
Tel: +65 6534 8090
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Menya Musashi

Menya Musashi commanded long queues in the first few months, but the hype has died down since then which is unfortunate, as they’ve opened a few more branches around and out of town. Those with big appetites will be glad to know that they allow one to order up to five times the amount of noodles without any additional charge.

#01-16 Raffles City Shopping Centre
252 North Bridge Road
Tel: +65 6336 6500
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Miharu Sapporo Ramen

If you are a fan of Sapporo style ramen, check out Miharu Sapporo which just reopened at Millenia Walk. Come here for the signature miso-based ramen with buttered sweetcorn.

Millenia Walk #01-06
9 Raffles Boulevard
Tel: +65 6733 8464
Daily: 12.00pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

Nantsuttei

We like Nantsuttei for its simple, hearty and flavourful stock. The original Nantsuttei ramen comes with a rather generous layer of roasted garlic oil, which may be a tad greasy for some.

181 Orchard Road
Orchard Central #07-12/13
Tel: +65 6337 7166
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Ramen Santouka

Here is a worthy contender for the best all-rounded ramen. A robust broth, chewy noodles and one of the most tender chashu we have had (it is the prized pork cheek after all), it is one easy ramen to love.

#02-76, Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street
Tel: +65 6224 0668
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Tampopo Japanese Restaurant

We love how Tampopo comes up with new dishes every once in a while – we tried their triple black ramen recently which came with a squid ink-infused noodles in a light ink-tinged broth, topped with their black pig shabu shabu-style. Though not always impressive, we are glad there’s always something new to look forward to on their menu. Otherwise, their Tonkatsu Ramen is always good. A bowl of delicious ramen accompanied by Tampopo’s signature tonkatsu.

391 Orchard Road
#B2-33 Ngee Ann City
Tel: +65 6235 2318
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen

The theatrics itself is already worth a visit, though that is secondary to the flavourful broth. Go for the Ishiyaki ramen that comes in a pre-heated stone bowl, and supposedly resembles an erupting volcano when soup is poured in.

#02-68/69 Square 2
10 Sinaran Drive
Tel: +65 6379 6636
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

Uma Uma Ramen

Chef Iggy’s take on this Japanese classic is quite unlike any other ramen. The broth has an interesting twist, and epitomises umami.

583 Orchard Road
#01-41/42/43 Forum The Shopping Mall
Tel: +65 6235 0855
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

It has been a while since my last visit to Holland Village, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of new faces. My list of restaurants in Holland Village is slightly outdated now, I will be updating it soon.

Anyway, our main objective that night was 2am Dessert Bar, so we decided to have a light dinner at Yoshimaru Ramen Bar.

Yoshimaru Ramen Bar is famous for their Hakata Ramen, or known as Tonkotsu (pork bone) Ramen. I don’t really know much about ramen, but from what I understand, the broth for Tonkotsu ramen is made from boiling pork bones over high heat for many hours. The result is hearty pork flavoured soup with ultra thin ramen.

I had the Traditional Hakata Ramen ($11), and it was excellent. With a gorgeous runny boiled egg and the mouth-watering char siu, the bowl of rich and flavourful ramen was the perfect thing for a rainy night.

We also had the Shabu-shabu Pork Ramen ($14), which came with thin pork slices instead of char siu. There are a few choices on Yoshimaru Ramen Bar’s menu, you can also go for the Moridakusen Ramen ($15) which has all the toppings, or the spicy Yoshimaru Tan Tan Mian with peanut sauce and chilli oil.

My favourite ramen places in Singapore are still Tampopo restaurant and Ramen Santouka, but Yoshimaru Ramen Bar is a pretty decent place to have a quick dinner if you are at Holland Village. And oh yes, just in case you are interested, the Japanese Ramen Bar is under the same management as Jumbo Seafood Restaurant.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Yoshimaru Ramen Bar
31 Lorong Liput
Holland Village Singapore
Tel: +65 6463 3132

902 East Coast Parkway, Blk B
#01-12 Playground @ Big Splash Singapore
Tel: +65 6346 3132