WHAT WE ATE
- Signature Mixed Fish Ramen, 70/100 (8 Dec 2025, Keppel Road)
Tucked inside PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex at 7 Keppel Road, Yakizakana Ramen brands itself as Singapore’s first grilled fish ramen shop, a little ramen bar where fire and seafood sit at the centre of the story rather than pork alone. From the name (“yakizakana” literally refers to grilled fish) to the open-flame imagery plastered across its site, everything here orbits that idea of char, smoke and the sea coming together in one bowl.
Instead of sticking to the usual tonkotsu template, Yakizakana Ramen works with a collagen-rich broth built on both pork bones and fish elements, then crowns it with grilled fish as the star topping. Around that core, the menu branches out into donburi like wagyu and char siu bowls, plus a handful of sides, making it a compact Japanese ramen spot at the fringe the CBD that’s clearly designed for quick lunches and quiet solo slurps as much as post-work wind-downs.
Signature Mixed Fish Ramen: 70/100
Noodle: 20/35
The noodles sit in the medium-thick, rounded category, carrying a firmness that leans confidently into al dente. The exterior has that slight chew that yields gradually, while the core keeps a clean, snappy resistance. On its own, there is a faint wheatiness, but once it settles into the broth, the noodles begin absorbing a mild tangy, fishy, almost metallic note. It is an intriguing profile, one that accentuates the marine character of the bowl. I’m still undecided whether I enjoy that particular interplay, but it certainly gives the noodles a more pronounced voice than expected.
Soup: 25/35
The opening notes are sweet, creamy and milky, forming a soft landing before the savoury body emerges. In the mid-layer, the broth carries a gentle tangy fishiness that is umami rich without straying into acrid territory. The finish returns to lingering sweetness, punctuated by subtle peppery flickers that add a bit of movement but stop just shy of lifting the bowl’s energy.
As a whole, the broth is smoother and lighter than its opaque appearance suggests. While comforting, the layering does not fully crescendo. The aftertaste drops off a little abruptly, giving the sense that a final anchoring note is missing to complete the arc.
Meat: 20/20
Two types of fish appear here, and both are genuinely well executed.
The grilled fish arrives first with a noticeable aroma that hints at its char. It is a large side-cut slice, remarkably soft and tender, with that slightly sticky mouthfeel characteristic of fattier fish. The flavour leans sweet with a faint citrusy sansho-like lift. If the review were based on this alone, it would already hit full marks for its clarity and finesse.
The second is a sizeable fried fillet, encased in a crisp batter that, unfortunately, softens quickly once submerged. Beneath the coating, the flesh stays tender and sweet with a lightly savoury base. Conceptually, it rounds out the mixed fish idea well, though serving the fried portion separately might preserve its textural contrast better.
Other Toppings: 5/10
Black fungus arrives tender and fresh with a clean crunch. The negi is bright, sharp and piquant, offering small pockets of lift throughout the bowl. The marinated egg has an excellent custardy centre, though the seasoning skews slightly heavy on mirin, nudging it towards the sweeter side. These toppings contribute pleasant accents but sit closer to supporting roles rather than scene-stealers.
Summary
Yakizakana’s mixed fish bowl feels like a study in how seafood can take centre stage in ramen, anchored by two well-executed fish preparations that show clear intention and craft, while the rest of the bowl works to catch up. The grilled slice brings smoke, sweetness and a supple fattiness that immediately defines the bowl’s character, and the fried fillet adds a second perspective even if its texture softens quickly. Around this, the broth lands in a pleasant creamy–umami space but doesn’t quite build toward a fully resolved finish, and the noodles act almost like a conductor that amplifies the broth’s tangy marine edge more than it moderates it, creating an interplay that is interesting but slightly unconventional. The supporting toppings offer texture and brightness without shifting the bowl’s direction, leaving the fish to do most of the narrative work.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
