Santouka Ramen 山頭火 Review

If you happen to crave for some Japanese Ramen, there are way more options to choose from than before.

You can easily find one in any of the shopping malls nowadays.

I have blogged about a few but personally, I think this has got to be one of my top recommendations.

There are currently two outlets in Singapore, one of which is at Cuppage Terrace.

And the other? Read on!

It is just a short 5-minutes walk from the Clarke Quay station, at The Central mall.

You have to walk deep into the rows of shops before locating this ramen stall which is at a corner.

We arrived on a Tuesday night and it was quite packed!

 Iberian Pork Gyoza ($8.50)

Mister loves Gyoza, so we will always have a standard meal of two ramen dishes as well as a plate of Gyoza!

I always love the part where the soup oozes out of the dumpling skin.

And not to forget the juiciness of the meat on the inside!

Their version did not disappoint me.

Kara Miso Ramen ($13.50)

The spicy version of the soybean paste soupbase.

And the highlight!

A definitely MUST-ORDER!!

The signature dish, Tokusen Toroniku Ramen ($22).

You can choose from the shio/miso or spicy miso/shoyu for your noodle soup base.

Look at this glorious spread of roasted pork cheeks!

And yes, I mean pork cheeks (jowl) meat, in which only 200-300g can be taken from each pig.

That tenderness and richness beats anything that I have consumed before.

The fats in each slice are just of the right amount, nothing more or less, just perfecto!

If you happen to be around that area, why not try Santouka Ramen?

Be sure to give the signature Tokusen Toroniku Ramen a try!

...

>Santouka Ramen<

6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #02-76

The Central

Singapore 059817

Daily : 11am - 10.30pm (Last Order at 9.45pm)

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Tel : +65 6224 0668

RONIN Review : No Food Menu!?

I was doing some research on cafes and happened to chance upon this very cafe, which is relatively new around the block.

This is a third cafe which was opened by the same people behind 'The Plain' and 'The Bravery' !

No signboard to indicate but here's a photo to show you the entrance to the cafe!

Ronin means a samurai with no lord or master during the feudal period of Japan.

Interesting name I must say.

Simple interior and seating is quite limited.

Dragged my mister along cause I feel like having some scrambled eggs! ^^

Anyway, we arrived on a Tuesday afternoon at around 1pm.

And it was quite packed (mostly businessman & working adults). 

We were seated at the big round table because all the other seats were taken.

Felt a little out of place but what upsets me the most was the chair.

It's super uncomfy. 

I suggest you take the seats at the other tables if you have the choice to.

And yup, there is another interesting concept in which you have to ask from the staff about the food menu.

The staff who attended to us was really friendly and sweet, so service wise....thumbs up!

We had Wicked Mocha ($5.50) and Iced Mocha ($5).

Wicked Mocha contains mint, and hence the mint leaf decor.

It's a refreshing drink under this weather in Singapore.

Shiok.

And here's what mister had.

Here's mine.

Basically, we ordered the same, just that the additional ingredients are different.

He had a freshly made sausage (additional $4.50) to the runny eggs ($9).

And mine was the hugeass portobello mushroom (additional $3.50).

For the sausage, you can choose from the two options, either lamb or pork.

Love love love the creamy scrambled eggs.

Apparently, one lady who was sitting opposite of us, simply ordered just the eggs and one coffee.

Onomnomz, must-try!

Remember to bring cash (they only accept cash)!

Overall, experience was alright, mainly cause we were seated at the huge round table

and that UNCOMFORTABLE CHAIR. Oh dear god.

Food was really good and would love to return for their coffee soon! 

...

RONIN

17 Hong Kong Street 

Singapore 059660

Tues - Sun : 8am - 8pm

Hai Di Lao Hot Pot Review : Awesome Steamboat you gonna love!

Many of you might have heard about this Hai Di Lao Hot Pot (海底捞火锅).

It has gained much popularity among the many cities in China, that includes Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing etc.

You won't see why until you really try it. Trust me.

Anyway, currently there is only one outlet in Singapore right now, and it is located at Clarke Quay area. 

I swear their service is really really good.

Even while making reservations over the phone, I am really impressed.

 I really am.

I called in a week earlier to grab a table for my group.

(But if you are heading over on a weekend, good luck)

Upon reaching at 6pm on a Wednesday, the restaurant was packed full of people.

As well as the waiting area.

At the waiting area, there are various entertainment options available for you!

This includes getting a free manicure?!,playing some board games, watch some 'Despicable Me', and have some popcorn and fruits!

Once you get seated. 

The friendly staff would approach to ask questions and cater to your needs.

They would then provide you a plastic sheet for your phone (Even fits my Note 2),

a rubber band for the ladies, and suggest you to wear the apron provided.

How nice! ^^

And alright enough with the introduction!

TRANSFORM.

INTO COOKING MAMA.

Hee

Mister ordered some soya milk and regret it instantly.

Guess they go healthy? I put two packets of sugar and I swear it's not enough.

Fortunately, I got the Liang Teh.

Mister thinks it's nice. 

Anyway, the drinks are free flow when you ordered one glass, and you can change your drinks if you don't like it.

I didn't like the Sourplum drink my friends ordered as well, shall stay with Liang Teh.

They used an iPad to make ordering much much easier.

Love the option where you could order a half portion if you think you a full portion is too much.

Like this, you can order more food instead of stuffing yourself with that one full portion.

(Eg: One full potion contains around 20 pieces of Luncheon Meat. If you order half, you will get ten.)

We chose the Tomato soup and Seafood soup base!

Love the Tomato one!

You can try the Laksa one as well, which is quite tasty too.

Love the green ones which seemingly should be the Cuttlefish (if I never remember wrongly.)

Just order this and try!!

All these are for 3 ladies and 1 man.

Mister and I ordered this for ourselves and this is really heaven.

1 whole portion ($14++)

All the ingredients are really really fresh and the chicken slices too.

Order that, it's super TENDER chicken I swear.

If you like to watch some mini performance,

order this! 

It's their signature la mian.

Kowtow to him. 

He controls very well and even did a little teasing while he flings the la mian towards you.

Hahahaha pretty cool!

and the la mian was really good though.

It's damn chewy. Onomnom.

Steamed Buns.

My favourite. 

Don't know why but this is really naise even if you eat it simply like that.

Who's with me!? :P

Pumpkin Pancakes!

Which tasted much like the Chinese rice cake to me.

They provide a sauce which should be condensed milk.

I had only one and I think it's enough.

And the highlight!!!

Told the staff over the phone when I did reservations that I will be celebrating a friend's birthday. 

Check out what they prepared!!!

A huge fruit platter!!! 

How sweet. Got candle somemore!

We sang her a birthday song and guess what else they prepared. 

A fragrance bag for the girl.

Make her xiangxiang!

Hahaha

I swear the service here is exceptional.

I am really amazed to be honest.

Hence, I don't mind spending abit more to do hotpot here!

Surprisingly, I don't smell like steamboat when I left the place too.

Banzai!

I know my outfit very mafia-like.

...

Our table bill to be at $30 each per pax.

Prolly cause' we didn't order alot.

The other table that consist of 2 man and 4 ladies, bill to be $40 per pax.

Which was reasonable as well!

Overall, dining experience was a thumbs up and I would definitely consider on repeat visits!

This is a definitely must-try.

...

>Hai Di Lao Hot Pot< (click to see more exotic dishes on menu!)

3D River Valley Road #02-04

Singapore 179023

Tel: +65 6337 8626

10.30am till 3am

Common Man Coffee Roasters Review

Finally have some time to update more posts!

And also for some cafe hop! ^^

Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR); a unique new concept made by Harry Grover, Five Senses Coffee (Australia), and the Spa Esprit Group.

And thus, the decor in the cafe is really very Aussie and casual, with all the high wood tables and chairs.

It was a weekend when we visited which was why we had to wait before getting in.

It was full house!

It was a pity we got the seats furthest away in a corner of the cafe.

Or else, I could have taken a better look around the place.

Oh wells.

They also allow takeaways from the food menu.

One more thing is that they use organic eggs from free-range chickens!

Which was also an added bonus of why I chose this place for brunch!

Crowded..Humans,humans everywhere.

Well, so here' s what we had!

My Mocha ($6++) was impressive!

Love the cup and plate that comes along. Hehe

And le mister ordered the Iced ver.of it.

Well, it was fair, but I thought it wasn't as good as the hot one.

Enjoying every bit of the moment with my .......

mister!

Polka dots for the day. 

Yayyy!

Here comes our main!

LOOK AT THAT SPREAD.

To be honest, we were really surprised by the portion.

I almost fainted with happiness, that is. 

HAHAHA

Glutton much, oinks.

Mister's: Tender Pulled Pork Burger ($24++) with crunchy cabbage slaw, fresh cucumber & mustard on a fluffy brioche bun, with fries.]

The pulled pork portion is humongous!

Guess mister pretty much enjoyed his burger other than the mustard brioche bun.

(PICKY!!!)

Me: Common Man Full Breakfast ($26++); Two organic eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato salsa, chorizo has browns, mushrooms & pork cannellini beans, w artisanal sourdough toast.

And you can choose how you like your eggs to be done upon ordering. 

Special mentions to that bacon, which has the crispiness near to crackers.

That was really insanely good.

Was contemplating between getting this or the 'Turkish Common Man Breakfast', in the end my mind swam thru all the delicious food reviews photo of the Full Breakfast.

(which was why the decision)

Wanted to try the Organic Eggs Ben as well, but a pity that it's beef. So nope.

Didn't regret one bit of what I ordered though.

I think it's really worth every penny I spent.

Other than that sourdough which was impossible to cut. 

Guess I will return for some good brunch!

This definitely makes its way to my Top 10 fav Brunch places!

It is really one of the very few cafes that leaves me such an impression.

...

>Common Man Coffee Roasters< (click for more info!)

22 Martin Road #01-00

Singapore 239058

Tel: 6836 4695

Daily: 8am - 7pm