When it comes to Japanese cuisine, ramen is definitely one dish that comes to mind. The humble bowl of noodles in a savoury broth has captured the hearts and taste buds of people all over the world, and it’s not hard to see why. From the richness of the broth to the chewiness of the noodles, every element of a good bowl of ramen has to be just right. That’s why I was excited to try Ramen Kiou, a small ramen joint tucked away in the bustling Nex Serangoon mall in Singapore. With a promise of authentic Osaka-style ramen, I was eager to see if it lived up to its reputation of serving up some of the best slurp-worthy goodness.
Location
Ramen Kiou is situated in the &Joy Japanese Food Street on the B1 level of NEX Serangoon. In addition to this branch, they also have locations in Jurong Point and Great World.
How to Order
Menu, Pricing and Value
Ramen Kiou boasts an extensive menu that offers a wide selection of ramen options that are sure to leave you spoilt for choice. In addition to their ‘standard’ Tonkotu Ramen, they also have other varieties such as Tomato, Green Chilli, Aka (chilli oil & powder), Kuro (black garlic oil) and more. Each dish is uniquely crafted to provide an authentic taste of Osaka-style ramen.
For those who prefer rice to ramen, Ramen Kiou also offers rice dishes such as fried rice, tamago don, chashu don, and karaage don. Customers can also choose from various add-ons such as gyoza, tebasaki (chicken wings), tori karaage (fried chicken), chashu, and ramen egg.
Ramen Kiou’s prices are reasonable, with ramen dishes ranging from $9.90 to $25.90 and add-ons ranging from $6.20 to $9.50.
We opted for the Value Set for 2 ($27.80++), which included one ramen, one rice dish, one side, and two drinks.
Here’s what we got with the set:
Hot and Cold Ocha
Both the hot and cold green tea are refillable, but they are weak in flavour.
Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen
The true test of a ramen restaurant lies in the taste and quality of its ramen, and Ramen Kiou does not disappoint. The shoyu tonkotsu broth was rich, creamy and flavourful, with a depth of umami that was both satisfying and comforting.
The noodles were cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of chewiness and thickness. The chashu was tender and succulent, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The perfectly cooked egg had a soft and runny yolk that lent a creamy depth, while the addition of bamboo shoots, preserved vegetables and spring onions provided a refreshing crunch to the dish.
Ebi Chahan
The Ebi Chahan is an egg fried rice with diced chashu, shrimps and sakura ebi. The fried rice was fragrant and flavourful, and I particularly liked the texture of the Japanese rice, which was firm and not stodgy. While there were visible charred bits of rice, the dish lacked the distinct smoky flavour of wok hei, which was a bit disappointing. Not as amazing as Din Tai Fung’s or Wok Hey’s versions but this was still a very comforting dish because it reminded me of homemade goodness.
Tori Karaage
Consisted of six pieces of fried chicken, served with mayonnaise on the side. The chicken was crispy on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside, and had a well-balanced seasoning and flavour. As a side dish, I thought the portion size was pretty generous too as the chicken pieces were quite big.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ramen Kiou is a must-visit restaurant for anyone who loves authentic Osaka-style ramen. With an extensive menu featuring various types of Tonkotsu Ramen and rice dishes, there is something for everyone. The flavourful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, succulent chashu, and well-cooked eggs make for a delicious and satisfying meal. Additionally, the prices are quite reasonable, considering the quality of the food and portion sizes. Whether you’re dining with friends or family, Ramen Kiou is an excellent choice for a satisfying and enjoyable meal out.