Konjiki Hototogisu Ramen Review: Tokyo Michelin Bib Gourmand Truffle Ramen Arrives In Singapore

Started off as a humble hole-in-the-wall shop with just eight seats, Konjiki Hototogisu Ramen rose to international recognition for serving an unconventional triple-base soup of clams, pork bone and dashi broth. This was a thoughtful start to the meal with the purpose of letting patrons whet their appetite while waiting for their food to arrive.

The first bowl that came was Shoyu Hamaguri Soup Signature ($14.90++) . First palm your hands around the bowl to feel the warmth, next take in wafts of the fragrance, and then sip from different parts of the bowls with the various toppings before inhaling the noodles.

Do it with a loud slurp – it is the Japanese way of showing enjoyment and appreciation to the chef! There was intensity in the flavours and each sip had a different aroma attributed to the various toppings. Even though the broth here looked less cloudy than tonkotsu broth, it impressed me with depth in the taste department.

Each of Konjiki Hototogisu’s signature dishes as well comes with chashu of two kinds. One is a fork-tender slice of pork belly while the other is soft chashu slow-cooked in a house-made marinade.

Unlike many ramen shops in Singapore that just add a dash of chilli oil on top, Konjiki Hototogisu uses spicy minced pork and beans to taste their ramen. The spice level for this one is bearable, on a scale of one to 10 with 10 being numbingly spicy, Tonkotsu Spicy scored a four.

There is also a Singapore-exclusive creation by chef-owner Mr Yamamoto – Tonkotsu Smoke & Pepper ($13.90++) . The minced pork was smoked using sakura wood chips, highlighting the ramen with a fruity smoky savour.

When combined with the dash of black pepper and oil, it tasted like peppered smoked duck; a taste you don’t usually find in soups. Do note that it is only available in the menu from 6 July onwards.

Ambience at Konjiki Hototogisu Ramen Contrary to the little shop they operated from in Tokyo, the outlet in Chijmes is brightly lit and spacious – the perfect place for a warm, no-frills meal. The verdict I’ve always shied away from dining at Chijmes with friends as I only thought of the area as a place with exorbitant rates.

Despite being awarded the Tokyo Michelin Bib Gourmand for four years consecutively, Konjiki Hototogisu Ramen has proved me wrong with their reasonable quotations. With rates ranging mostly between $13.90++ and $16.90++ , this ramen joint makes it in my list of best ramen shops in Singapore.

If you are looking for more Japanese food in Singapore, check out our reviews on Yokozuna Stall for cheap. Good bento and sushi rolls, and Umi Nami at Holland Village. 10 Cheap Ramen Places To Get Your Ramen Fix At Less Than $10.50 Address: 30 Victoria Street, #01-17, Chijmes, Singapore 187996 Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 5pm to 9:30pm Tel: 6256 3155 Website Konjiki Hototogisu Ramen is not a halal eatery.