Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Santouka Hokkaido Ramen @Cuppage Terrace, Singapore


Since Santouka had not open in Indonesia yet (will open on May 16th), I had put it an agenda to must try the ramen that was claimed by most Spore food bloggers as the best ramen in town. Santouka was established on 1999 at Hokkaido, Japan and throughout the years had expand to major branches in big cities in Japan including Osaka and Tokyo, also spread their wings overseas from USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia.

After indulging myself with Plum lime juice from Each a Cup and wandering around Orchard, we headed to Cuppage terrace for the famous ramen. Cuppage terrace is an open air place with several diners gathered, each of them have indoor and outdoor spot. It was just passing lunch time, so we were lucky that we came in the same time when some customers were leaving. The inside was pretty small, only few tables with dark ambiance.


Hubby just ate mixed kebab from Shiraz mazzeh (it was good. Kebab lover should really try it) while we were wandering on Orchard, so I only ordered for my self and I chose the one written as recommended, Tokusen Toroniku Ramen ($20.5), it was a plain ramen with pork cheeks in separate plate, with choices of soup base from shio, shoyu, miso and kara miso. I chose kara miso (spicy soy bean paste flavor) soup base and asked for Tamago ($1.5) as an additional.


I love it how they put a jar of ice water in each table for free and as it finished, the attentive waiter directly refill it with the new jar without having to be asked first. A free jar of ice water might be simple, but for the two of us who drinks like a camel, it was a definite plus value.


The ramen came, first the broth looked quite oily but turns out it wasn't, it was actually pretty mild, i like it, the broth was tasty. They take time to simmer the pork bones before adding the special ingredients. In favor to maintain the flavor broth, they insure that it is never boiled, instead they maintain the soup at its optimal temperature. The ramen texture was firm and came in huge portion. Pork cheeks were not disappointing, although personally I didn't really like it (my opinion could be bias due to the fact i am not really a pork person), but the pork cheek was thick and full of flavor. Hubby loves it.

Overall, I was not jumping up and down about it, and to be honest so far, I still prefer Ippudo when it come to ramen in Spore, but I did understand how Santouka was often named as the best ramen in Singapore. Can't wait to taste the one opened at Plaza Indonesia soon. Two things I am hoping for; A jar of free ice water like in Spore and a much cheaper adjustable price. Maybe it was because of the exchange rate (IDR 7340 at the time), but paying $20,5 for a bowl of ramen was surely quite painful. 



Santouka Hokkaido Ramen 
21 Cuppage Rd
Cuppage Terrace, Singapore
(Opposite 313 Somerset)
Opening hours:
Mon - Fri: 12-3pm, 5.30pm-12 mid
Sat: 12pm - 12mid
Sun: 12pm - 9.30pm

Other outlets:
6 Eu Tong Sen Street, the Central
Ph. +65 62240668

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Ahh tunggu di Jakarta aja deh hehhe

Don't forget to visit my blog ohmygoodfood.blogspot.com

Thank you

Ivy said...

iyaa kan uda mau buka di jkt. :)
sure, will visit yours :) thanks for visit mine yah