Whenever I have ramen cravings and I am too lazy to research for new ramen places, only one place comes to mind – Ippudo. I prefer this outlet (Mohamed Sultan) as compared to the one at Mandarin Gallery because they accept reservations, opens till late and is always less crowded.Other than being famous for its ramen, Ippudo is also well known for its pork buns.A fluffy, pillow soft steamed bun encases a succulent piece of braised chashu - so tender that it simply melts in your mouth – with a creamy mayo based sauce. This is similar to the Chinese kong ba pau (pork slices with steamed bun), except that the meat is lighter in taste (which I prefer). Just try not to overload yourself with pork buns, after all the ramen is still the star of this place.Classic ramen – Shiromaru motoaji ($15): Classic Hakata-style ramen. The broth was hearty and tasty, yet light on the palate (not laden with oil). Served was thin and straight noodles (no kee taste noted) and topped with tender and flavourful slices of pork belly, cabbage, black fungus, spring onions and pickled ginger. This would be suitable for those who prefer their ramen simple and safe.Modern ramen – Akamaru Shinaji ($16): My all time favourite! Ippudo’s tonkotsu broth enhanced with blended miso and garlic oil. This is also served with served with thin and straight noodles (Hakata-style noodles) and topped with buttery slices of pork belly, black fungus and and spring onions. The rich and flavourful broth was more aromatic than the classic (garlic oil, of course) and this is also the reason why I love it so much. Even though the broth looks oily, it doesn’t leave a cloying feeling. So fret not and slurp away! The flavoured egg did not disappoint as well. It was still cold when served and the yolk (most important part for me) was deliciously molten, just the way I like it. This ramen would be suitable for garlic lovers and those who prefer a full flavoured broth.Featured ramen – Bonito tonkotsu ($16): Another non-spicy take on the signature tonkotsu broth, this is made with bonito fish stock and served with Hakata-style noodles. The broth was heavy on the taste of the bonito fish stock and extremely flavoursome to say the least. Initial mouthfuls drew praises all over the table but the taste of the bonito fish stock got a little overwhelming after awhile. Tip: Adding raw garlic cuts through the rich tasting broth and the piquant taste of garlic adds an extra kick to the ramen. This would be suitable for those who are fans of bonito and/or like strong, bold flavours.

Overall, this is place recommended for its ramen, especially the Akamaru Shinaji.

Operating out of an old school shophouse, Mei Yuen Restaurant specialises in roasted chicken rice.Roasted chicken and vegetables with rice ($18.50 for 3 pax): Served on a bed of beansprouts, the roasted chicken was not only tender and juicy but the skin was crispy too. Now, that is the difference between a great roast and a decent one, the skin of course. The chicken rice was fluffy and tasty with a hint of garlic. Personally, I prefer chicken rice that isn’t too strong in taste, so this was just right to me, but maybe not so for hardcore fans of chicken rice. My only gripe was that the chili lacked the kick and wasn’t spicy enough. That aside, this was definitely one of the best roasted chicken rice I have had in Singapore.

This pretty little (no pun intended) cafe is decorated with wall murals of illustrations from The Little Prince and a collection of books in various languages for your reading pleasure. The cafe is small and sits approximately 15 to 20 people at full capacity. The menu isn’t extensive but savory treats such as quiches and sandwiches are available if you do not have a sweet tooth.Iced Rambutan Tea ($4.50): Freshly brewed tea with a generous helping of canned rambutans and sugar syrup on the side. Though I like the idea of having rambutans in my iced tea and chomping on them, the rambutans do not add much flavour to the tea. Scones ($4.50 for 2): The warm buttery homemade scones comes in two flavours – raisin and umami, and were served with clotted cream and marmalade on the side. Personally, I would have preferred the scones to be less dry and the umami taste to be stronger (there was barely any).Strawberry marshmallow cake ($3.90): The cake was soft and fluffy with pockets of marshmallow in every bite. It may appeal to those who love neapolitan ice cream, but I found it rather forgettable.

Overall, the cafe is worth a visit for fans of The Little Prince and for those who are looking to laze the afternoon away at cafe with an unusual concept. Reasonable pricing and friendly service staff is a plus too!

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Shoyu ramen with butter corn ($12.50 for half size shoyu + $1.50 for egg): The curly, al dente egg noodles picked up the savoury soup remarkably well and I was pleased to find that the kee taste wasn’t overpowering. The thin slices of tender and flavourful chashu were a delight, but I can’t say the same for the flavoured egg. The egg was a little overcooked and I would have definitely preferred it to have a soft runny yolk and slightly firm( but not rigid) egg whites. The ramen is finished off with Japanese bamboo shoots and spring onions which complements the buttery (yet light on the palate) soup perfectly.

For full review and more photos, please visit http://asperchee.wordpress.com/