Hello all, hope all of you are doing fine and having a good weekend thus far. I am back again to share on another find that I had in my neighbourhood. I really like hunting in my neighbourhood and looking for nice places to eat. Today's sharing will be on a nice eating place that I visited just a few hours ago after finishing my event and in deep need for a place to eat after a long day out shooting. So let's get on with it.
The Place
Takagi Ramen
Address: 101 Yishun Ave 5, #01-27 Chong Pang City (Shopping Belt), Singapore 760101
The place that I would like to share today is Takagi Ramen which is a Ramen chain found in Singapore which is started by owner Takagi-san and what I know, this outlet found near my place is their 8th outlet. There is something that this particular chain want to ensure that the ramen they serve is affordable, efforts such as negotiation with raw material supplier, practicing Kai-zen in work and also ensuring lean staffing at each outlet are adopted. Because ramen prices in Singapore is not cheap, Takagi Ramen's aim is to ensure that their ramen is for the average Singaporean and will not create a big hole in your wallet.
There is another amazing thing for this chain is that it is opened 24 hours, so at any point you are feeling hungry and trying to find food, this is the place to go to. The place is easy to find and with ample parking behind the shop or at the opposite residential area.
Here's how the place looks like:
A nice and simple place where you can view how your ramen is being prepared and enjoy them in a nice environment that is clean and proper. The outlet is not huge, but able to host a decent crowd and there is also external seating available. I like how everything is packed to together nicely in this lovely little shop, maybe the shop design also had Kaizen methodology in mind.
The Food
Since this place is famous for white bee hoon, we definitely have to order it.
So in total, here is what we've ordered:
- Spicy Shoyu Chashu Ramen
- Miso Tonkatsu Chashu Ramen
- Fried Ebi
- Fried Gyoza
Didn't manage to take a picture of all the items ordered when I had a late dinner with my wife but no worries, all the food items do have their individual photos. One thing I forget to mention is that one can indicate for a free additional serving of noodles.
Spicy Shoyu Chashu Ramen
In my previous sharing of Ippudo which is also a ramen place, there is definitely a different to the taste between Ippudo and Takagi. Quality of ingredients used by Ippudo is definitely one notch higher than that as compared to Takagi. Soup wise, I personally have to say Ippudo's flavours are much more expressed and every sip of the soup is just so good. But that does not mean that Takagi is not good.
The soup is still flavourful and definitely created from hours of boiling and brewing. Chashu and onsen egg all nicely made and can be easily gobbled down in one bite. The quantity of ramen served in the bowl is decent and enough to fill a hungry stomach, but because the last meal before I had was many hours ago and I was exceptionally hungry. Thankfully each ramen served here at Takagi, you can add a complimentary serving of noodles which is placed in another bowl, separate from your initial bowl. You can add it in when you are ready to eat them so that they will not go soggy. A nice and hearty bowl of delight that one can savour and enjoy after a long day at work. The spicyness of the soup did not overpower the shoyu taste as both flavours were distinctly expressed. Texture of the noodle is great and with no form of clumping up.
Miso Tonkatsu Cha Shu Ramen
Next we look at what my wife had. I do sneak my spoon into her bowl and also tasted the soup. Similar assessment as compare to my shoyu based ramen - a very decent bowl of ramen that is well cooked and flavourful but one notch below Ippudo which had that extra punch of umami flavour.
My wife's comment was that she felt it was ok and agreed that Ippudo is really premium kind of ramen. But she also enjoyed her bowl of noodles. The corn and bean sprouts were nice to munch on and she had praises and no complains for her bowl of ramen.
Side Dishes - Fried Ebi and Fried Gyoza
Simple fuss free side dishes that comes at an additional $4.80 Singapore dollars and hot green tea to complete the meal. I chose the Ebi and my wife chose the Gyoza and we can share. The fried Ebi is nice with a good crunch and the mayonnaise elevates it. Gyoza wise was a little normal but no complains as it was nicely fried and served hot. I like how the shop gives such a option to form a set meal instead of us ordering ala carte which can be a little more pricey.
Overall:
A highly accessible ramen shop that is not far away from where I am staying. The biggest plus point for this is that it is affordable and available for 24 hours daily. While there are other options available that open 24 hours such as fast food joints and Indian Muslim shops, I am glad I have another new option to choose from. And I have to agree with what the shop wants to achieve, ramen for the average Singaporean. The price point is good and I definitely have my fill. There was no significant compromise to the food quality and definitely worth coming back even on normal days during normal eating times.
Closing
Thank you for coming by and reading my post. There are many gems in my neighbourhood that I have yet to explore. Looking forward to my next food hunting adventure in the neighbourhood. Have a great weekend everyone!
See you in the next post!