Daikokuya 大黒家 at Robertson Quay

Daikokuya 大黒家

Daikokuya is one of the few places in Singapore at which you can get good tsukemen. Compared to traditional ramen, tsukemen is actually more suited for Singapore's weather. Why so?



Tsukemen is served with the cold noodles separated from the warm broth. This means that you only dip the noodles in right before you eat them, and so when it reaches your mouth, it will be just slightly warm.

This prevents that profuse sweating (it sucks really) when eating a traditional hot bowl of ramen.

Daikokuya's tsukemen is made with a fish and pork broth, and you probably wouldn't expect it to be sweet and sour.

But it is. The acidity helps cut the fattiness of the oil, and really helps bring out the flavor of the broth. It doesn't look so appetizing in the photo, but it is when you eat it.

Not really that amazing, but give it a try.



30 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238251
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Tuesday to Sunday/1130-2200
Closed on Mondays
Price Range: 15~

Menya Sanji 麺屋三士 at Orchid Hotel

Menya Sanji 麺屋三士

Menya Sanji is located at Orchid Hotel, just around the corner from the popular Keisuke Tonkotsu King. Perhaps due of lack of publicity, this shop has much less customers than its counterpart around the corner.

Menya Sanji (麺屋三士) refers to the "three warriors" during the meiji restoration, thus their warrior-like designs in the interior of the shop.

Bamboo swords line up the wall, giving a feel of being inside a dojo.

But how was the ramen? Menya Sanji does Kagoshima-style ramen, which is kinda like tonkotsu ramen, but not quite.

It's noodles are medium thick, unlike the usual thin Hakata-style noodles you'd get at an authentic tonkotsu ramen shop. The broth is also a lot more milky and opaque, albeit less rich and intense than the usual tonkotsu broth.

Well, it was nothing exceptional. The broth had healthy levels of sodium, but this means a light and not so flavoursome soup. It also had a lingering taste of beansprouts, something that turned me off quite a lot.

However, the main pitfall is their absurdly dry chashu. It was so tough I had a rough time biting through it. Ugh.

A decent shop, however greatly overshadowed by the other immensely popular shop around the corner. I too, can't see why someone would pick to eat here instead of going over there.



01-14 Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link, Singapore 078867
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Daily 1130 - 2300
Price Range: 14~