WHAT WE ATE
- Tauto Ramen, 80/100 (26 Apr 2025, North Bridge Road)
- Gulai Ramen, 65/100 (26 Apr 2025, North Bridge Road)
When it comes to Halal ramen in Singapore, Ono Ramen at North Bridge Road offers a refreshing Indonesian-Japanese fusion twist. Serving hearty bowls of house-made ramen that are fully Muslim-friendly, Ono Ramen reimagines the traditional Japanese comfort food with a bold, local flair. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot judging by the looks of the ramen — but I’m glad I gave it a shot, because the fusion turned out to be surprisingly appetising. If you’re looking for a new Halal ramen experience that breaks away from the usual, Ono Ramen is definitely worth a visit.
Tauto Ramen: 80/100
Noodle: 30/35
Medium-thick, wavy, and pale yellow, the noodles lean toward the low-hydration, dense side. They have a firm, springy texture and a mild wheat aroma. Solid bite and satisfying chew overall, though the firmness could be just a touch stronger to really hit the mark.
Soup: 30/35
Thick, rich, and slightly creamy, with a noticeable gritty texture that adds an earthy, nutty feel. It opens savoury with a clear sourish tang, then transitions into a subtle sweetness and a gentle, warm spice. The spiced fragrance is warm and aromatic, somewhat reminiscent of Mee Soto, but with a sweeter, creamier twist. Unique, layered, and surprisingly addictive.
Meat: 15/20
No chashu here – instead, pulled bacem beef takes the spotlight. The strands of lean beef are firm and a little dry, but they soak up the soup’s richness nicely. The fatty bits are soft and melt-in-your-mouth, offering contrast. Flavour-wise, the sweet-savoury Indonesian “bacem” style matches beautifully with the soup’s tangy-sweet profile. The beefy notes are present but well-managed, never overpowering.
Topping: 5/10
Simple but functional:
- Negi adds a splash of green but could use a sharper punch
- Fried shallots bring a nice aroma without overwhelming the bowl
- Seaweed quietly does its job, soaking up the broth
- Bean sprouts offer a fresh crunch
Summary: A creative bowl with a fusion twist that actually works. The broth’s complexity and the bacem beef pairing make this a standout among fusion ramen I’ve tried. Satisfying, memorable, and definitely worth a revisit.
Gulai Ramen: 65/100
Noodle: 30/35
The same noodles as used in the Tauto Ramen are here—medium-thick, wavy, and a pale yellow with that low-hydration, dense vibe. They’ve got a nice firm, springy texture and a solid chew, with a mild wheat taste. It’s a good base, but if they were just a bit firmer, it could have taken the texture to the next level. Still, nothing to complain about here.
Soup: 20/35
The soup’s more on the milky side rather than creamy, and it’s a bit lighter in both colour and consistency compared to the Tauto version. You get a noticeable sourish tang right away that sticks around throughout the bowl. The base is savoury with hints of earthy, nutty notes, but the spiciness here is a bit much. It tends to take over the other flavours, so you lose some of the more delicate tastes.
Meat: 10/20
Instead of the usual chashu, you get a crispy fried chicken cutlet, which is pretty solid. The batter’s dry and crispy, and the inside stays juicy. The chicken’s got a nice sweetness to it, but the problem is that it gets soggy fast since it’s served directly in the soup. It would have been better if it was served separately, like how they do at Tampopo or Hajime, so it keeps its texture.
Topping: 5/10
The toppings here are pretty basic:
- The Negi is there, but it doesn’t really add that sharp bite it could’ve.
- The seaweed does its job, soaking up the broth but doesn’t really add any extra flavour.
- There seems to be some kind of crispy bits—possibly tempura crumbs—but I’m not entirely sure what they are. Either way, they add a little crunch at first, though they don’t hold up well once they soak up the soup.
Summary: Overall, the Gulai Ramen is an interesting take, but the spice is a little overpowering, and the chicken gets soggy too quickly. It’s still something worth trying if you’re in the mood for something different, but the balance could definitely use some tweaking.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
