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2013-07-12
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I've been to quite a few Ramen eateries and the most unforgettable one is the one recommended by my friend - Keisuke Tonkotsu King at Orchid Hotel. Nonetheless, I got a chance to try out Ippudo Ramen at Mandarin Gallery, thanks to Openrice's invite. Here's my take. For full review with more photos: http://www.chiamhuiy.com/2013/07/food-tasting-ippudo-japanese-ramen.htmlThe interior design is mostly furnished with wooden furniture and very dimly lit. You can choose to have your meal on the dinin
I've been to quite a few Ramen eateries and the most unforgettable one is the one recommended by my friend - Keisuke Tonkotsu King at Orchid Hotel. Nonetheless, I got a chance to try out Ippudo Ramen at Mandarin Gallery, thanks to Openrice's invite. Here's my take.
For full review with more photos: http://www.chiamhuiy.com/2013/07/food-tasting-ippudo-japanese-ramen.html
The interior design is mostly furnished with wooden furniture and very dimly lit. You can choose to have your meal on the dining tables or along the ramen bar just for a quick fix.
Very swiftly, my choice of drink was served. I tried the Choya with Lemon (Choya is fixed and you can choose from a few flavoured soda). Choya with lemon tasted more citrus and gassy, and it actually leaves a slightly dry aftertaste.
Halfway through the dinner I got to try another drink - Umeshu with Cranberry, and this time I was bought over. Umeshu with Cranberry is definitely stronger and smoother with a hint of fruity taste thanks to the cranberry. It leaves a slightly stonger alcohol aftertaste. I prefer this drink to the previous one because I like how smooth the drink is. Choya with lemon is a little too gassy to my likings due to the soda that was paired with the choya.
Goma QFresh Japanese cucumber with sesame
Start off the meal with a refreshing appetizer, Japanese cucumber coated with Ippudo's sesame sauce. I find the sauce perfect because it comes with a tangy and spicy taste. The only complain is that the cucumber was a little too thick, so the taste of the cucumber very quickly overwhelms the sesame sauce after much chewing.
Pork Bun (recommended)Steamed bun with braised pork and Ippudo's original sauce
If you are hankering for some braised pork but not served in a pool of ramen broth, try the Pork bun at Ippudo. This deceptively simple sounding item turned out so well, no wonder it was one of the best seller and many diners' favourite. The pork bun comes with a smooth soft bun sandwiching the succulent braised pork, drizzled with Ippudo's original sauce.
Spicy Shrimp Mayo (Recommended)Lightly battered deep-fried succulent prawns served with home-made spicy mayonnaise dip
At first glance, the size of the prawn and the way this appetizer was displayed already won many hearts. Dipped in a spoonful of spicy mayonnaise, the huge fresh prawn itself was crunchy and juicy.
Beef Tataki (recommended!)Pan-seared tender beef slices served with a tangy sauce
My apology for recommending so many dishes, but most of them are honestly my favourite! This is especially for the beef tataki.
The beef tataki are medium-rare wagyu beef slices. It goes very well with the tangy sauce on the side, if not the soya sauce that comes with it. In fact, it taste as good consumed on its own.
Surprising to say this but the original ramen (Shiromaru Motoaji) itself already possess an extremely rich and thick broth that suggests how long the broth has been boiled. That said, it doesn't require any additional miso paste or anything and it's marvelous on its own.
Akamaru shin-ajiIppudo's original broth enhanced with the special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil. Served with thin noodles, buta bara (pork belly), kikurage and spring onions. A refined, modern-style ramen.
This time, the second ramen has additional miso paste which added a saltier taste to the broth. Instead of Chashu (pork loin), Buta Bara (pork belly) was used for this ramen. I personally don't prefer the broth to be so salty. So it really depends on your preference actually. If you prefer a much stronger and richer broth (saltier), you can try the Akamaru Shin-Aji.
For full review with more photos: http://www.chiamhuiy.com/2013/07/food-tasting-ippudo-japanese-ramen.html
Celine Chiam
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