Takagi Ramen

Takagi Ramen
51 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#01-01C 51@AMK

27 Prince George’s Park
Level 1, Pines Food Court

498 Jurong West Street 41 #01-452

1 Pasir Ris Close
#02-316 Downtown East E!Avenue

http://takagiramen.com/

Ramen Set Meal

Average Ramen For The Average Singaporean

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 6
Ambience & Setting: 5
Food & Beverage: 6
Service: 3
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $9 per person.


.....


The ex-editors of former socio-political website The Real Singapore (TRS), couple Yang Kaiheng and Ai Takagi, founded the Takagi Ramen Shop (TRS) in July 2015. Ironic name, a delicious irony. Takagi Ramen specialises in ramen, naturally, as the Takagi family owns a chain of ramen shops in Australia, and the couple learnt the art of making the ramen broth from scratch.

Ambience at Takagi Ramen is functional casual. The open concept lends a view of the kitchen over the counter, and the earthy vibes from the light wooden and plastic furnishings, with shades of wood, red, and black, are decently comfortable. Cleanliness is passable, but not exactly thorough. Expect short queues at the point-of-sale self-service kiosks.

Service at Takagi Ramen is largely self-service. Ordering is performed via the kiosks, and after a short wait, collected over a serving counter. Interaction with staff is inconsistent. Experiences at the Pasir Ris outlet include staff forgetting drink orders, being slow at cleaning tables when diners leave, and having pure transactional interactions. In contrast, the Ang Mo Kio outlet staff are engaging and polite, greeting guests upon entry, and checking on the overall experience of diners.

Food at Takagi Ramen is focused on Hakata style ramen from Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan. The broth is said to be freshly prepared daily from fresh pork bones, simmered for over 12 hours. Quality of taste is inconsistent, sometimes deliciously good, sometimes weirdly bad. Portions are sized for individuals, and prices are wallet-friendly. Budget about SGD $9 per person for a meal here.


.....

Takagi Ramen Exterior

Takagi Ramen Interior

Menu

Menu

Take Away Carrier

Tossing Ramen Noodles

Seating

Once A Tree

Disclaimer

The Mugi / Barley Tea (SGD $1.50) is refillable, and has deep warming earthy flavour.

Mugi / Barley Tea (SGD $1.50)

On a particular visit, staff completely forgot to prepare my Yuzu Sparkling (SGD $2.90) order, so I got this on a return visit, and made sure to get staff to prepare it... which still took some time. This soft drink soda beverage has a zesty sweet sour citrus flavour of yuzu, quite nice, but also rather filling.

Yuzu Sparkling (SGD $2.90)

The Melon Sparkling (SGD $2.90) is a soft drink soda beverage, with a fruity sweet flavour of honeydew melon. I got this on a warm day, and it's nicely thirst-quenching.

Melon Sparkling (SGD $2.90)

The Takoyaki (SGD $5.90) is decently executed, with a bouncy firm texture, and good sweet salty flavour. The octopus chunk within is a decent size, with a tender texture and some natural sweetness. Expensive as an ala-carte side dish, more value-for-money as part of a set meal.

Takoyaki (SGD $5.90)

Takoyaki

The Gyoza / Potsticker Dumplings (SGD $4.50) is a decent side dish to accompany a meal. The crisp, golden brown dumpling wrappers crunch lightly to reveal the moist, warm filling of minced pork and green scallions. Has a light savoury salty sweet flavour. Better value for money as a set meal.

Gyoza / Potsticker Dumplings (SGD $4.50)

Gyoza / Potsticker Dumplings

The Ebi Fry (SGD $5.90) is decent and straightforward, with a crisp exterior and a moist juicy interior. The battered prawns / shrimp have a lovely sweet savoury flavour. But it's expensive for an ala-carte side dish.

Ebi Fry (SGD $5.90)

Ebi Fry

The Miso Ramen With Ajitama Tamago (SGD $8.50) features a smooth and creamy rich tonkotsu pork bone broth flavoured with roasted red miso paste. That said, the desired earthy savoury taste was sorely lacking. Garnished with long, firm, thin Hakata style ramen noodles, crisp bean sprouts, juicy corn kernels, 2 pieces of tender slow braised pork chashu slices, a wobbly soft ajitama tamago / seasoned egg, and crunchy green scallions. Has a light savoury earthy sweet flavour, but not as tasty as expected from the use of fresh, premium ingredients.

Miso Ramen With Ajitama Tamago (SGD $8.50)

Miso Ramen With Ajitama Tamago

Miso Ramen With Ajitama Tamago

The Black Tonkotsu Ramen With Ajitama Tamago (SGD $8.90) features a smooth and thin tonkotsu pork bone broth flavoured with roasted black garlic, making it bold and robust in taste. Garnished with long, soft, thin Hakata style ramen noodles, crisp bean sprouts, crunchy black fungus / cloud ear fungus strips, tender braised young bamboo shoots, 2 pieces of tender slow braised pork chashu slices, a wobbly soft ajitama tamago / seasoned egg, and crunchy green scallions. Has a deep earthy herbal savoury sweet flavour, although the egg was weirdly sour.

Black Tonkotsu Ramen With Ajitama Tamago (SGD $8.90)

Black Tonkotsu Ramen With Ajitama Tamago

Black Tonkotsu Ramen With Ajitama Tamago

The Shoyu Chintan Ramen (SGD $7.80) features a thin, flavourful, cloudy pork bone broth flavoured with shoyu / soy sauce, extracted over 8 hours, giving it a lovely taste. Garnished with long, soft, thin Hakata style ramen noodles, tender braised young bamboo shoots, crisp sliced leeks, and 2 pieces of tender slow braised pork chashu slices. Has a delicate salty savoury flavour, with a hint of earthy sweet notes on the finish. Enticing and comforting dish, although I note the broth isn't completely 'clear'.

Shoyu Chintan Ramen (SGD $7.80)

Shoyu Chintan Ramen

Shoyu Chintan Ramen

The Butashoga Ramen (SGD $8.90) features a thick, smooth, creamy pork bone broth flavoured with shio / salt, kombu seaweed, and katsuobushi / bonito fish flakes, resulting in a robust savoury salty flavour. Garnished with long, soft, thin Hakata style ramen noodles, tender braised young bamboo shoots, shreds of tender chewy hand-pulled braised pork shoulder sauteed with sweet soy sauce and ginger, and crunchy green scallions. The pork lends a pronounced herbal sweet saucy flavour that complements the rich savoury salty broth. Nice.

Butashoga Ramen (SGD $8.90)

Butashoga Ramen

Butashoga Ramen

The Mazemen With Ajitama Tamago (SGD $7.90) is like a dry version of ramen, featuring long, firm, thin Hakata style ramen noodles, juicy corn kernels, crisp roasted seaweed flakes, shreds of tender chewy hand-pulled braised pork shoulder sauteed with sweet soy sauce and ginger, a wobbly soft ajitama tamago / seasoned egg, and crunchy green scallions. The pork lends a pronounced herbal sweet saucy flavour to the rich vegetal earthy sweet savoury flavours of the dish. Mix it all together with a little oil, and enjoy. Nice.

Mazemen With Ajitama Tamago (SGD $7.90)

Mazemen With Ajitama Tamago

Mazemen With Ajitama Tamago

The Bakkwa Deluxe Ramen (SGD $12.80) is a limited time only dish. It features a thick, smooth, creamy pork bone broth flavoured with 8 different traditional Chinese herbs and spices, resulting in a delicate earthy herbal savoury flavour. Garnished with long, soft, thin Hakata style ramen noodles, tender braised young bamboo shoots, bouncy mock abalone slices, and 4 slices of house made, bak kwa / barbecued pork jerky. While the bak kwa was tender, it was overly soft in texture, and while I like the deep savoury meaty notes, it lacks the smoky sweet flavours of other versions. Disappointed with this, I didn't finish it.

Bakkwa Deluxe Ramen (SGD $12.80)

Bakkwa Deluxe Ramen

Bakkwa Deluxe Ramen

.....







.....