Finally, my first blog is up and I think it's running...For a start, I will just do some food reviews since we love to eat! Ippudo has been the talk of the town even before it is open, many celeb chefs have been waiting for this restaurant to open its door since beginning of 09. We went there on the 12th of Jan '10 at 11.30am sharp, surprise surprise...no queue and the restaurant is only slightly half filled! Greeted by a cool Jap guy, who seems to be struggling to understand our Singlish, finally got us a corner table and a pretty red baby chair!

Hungrygowhere people are complaining that their Gyoza is miserably small. Right! Menu stated mini mah! Accompanied with vinegar and chilli oil, quite a good match. Our comment - so-so. Not even fit to talk about it, waste time.

We started off with Shiromaru Motoaji, their authentic yet classic Hakata-style tonkotsu soup noodles. Soup is smooth and flavorful with a distinct taste of tonkotsu (pork bone), and a surprisingly after taste of prawns (not sure why?!). Noodle is according to spec, springy fine version of typical ramen. But my baby wife complained that the noodles have not absorbed the essence of the soup, leaving them almost tasteless. Such a pity! Cha-shu is dry with little or no taste at all, texture was coarse like out-sourced standard. Tamago to complement the noodle is SUPER OVER-PRICE! Same kind of egg you get in top-rated ramen shop at only half the price.

Our second bowl was Akamaru Kasaneaji with pork belly cha-su tasted soo-goood, perfect balance of fat and lean meat!

Concoction of blended miso paste, garlic oil, kikurage and spring onion is unique to them and they should be proud of this invention - modern ramen. Even garlic-hater like me fell in love with this!

Note: Green tea is not refillable.


ST comments on Ippudo above.

Verdict:
Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 7.5/10
Value: 6/10

Thoughts: Marutama Ramen @ Central still tops our list of Japanese Ramen in Singapore, can't wait to go back!