WHAT WE ATE
- Ajitama Hokkaido Tonkotsu Miso Ramen – 50/100, (11 Dec, 2021, Orchard Central – outlet seems closed)
- Ajitama Asahikawa Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen – 20/100, (11 Dec, 2021, Orchard Central – outlet seems closed)
- Tokusei Hokkaido Tonkotsu Miso Ramen + additional butter topping – 50/100, (28 Aug, 2021, Orchard Central – outlet seems closed)
- Sapporo Ebi Chashu Ramen – 35/100, (28 Aug, 2021, Orchard Central – outlet seems closed)
Note: After receiving feedback from a friend, we decided to give Nansuttei Ramen another chance and revisited in December 2021. Unfortunately, we must regretfully admit that the quality has further declined. Regrettably, this will be our final visit to this outlet, and we won’t be providing any further updates on this post.
AJITAMA HOKKAIDO TONKOTSU MISO RAMEN – 50/100 POINTS
Noodle – 20/35
The noodles are thick, curly, and have a more yellowish hue, which is typical for Hokkaido and many miso ramen varieties. As you slurp them up, the curly noodles capture some of the chunky goodness like corn, adding texture to each bite. While they are not bad, they fail to leave a lasting impression.
Soup – 15/35
On each visit, we encountered surprises with the soup. For instance, during our first visit in August, we tried the Tokusei version, which had a creamy and satisfactory miso flavor. However, on our second visit, we ordered the Ajitama Tonkotsu Miso Ramen, which unexpectedly had a spicy paste added. Although the taste was decent, it was disappointing to receive a spicy miso instead of the expected traditional miso flavor.
Meat – 10/20
In our second visit, we noticed a slight improvement in the meat. The slices were slightly thicker, allowing the flavors to come through more prominently.
Toppings – 5/10
The ramen featured a nice runny yolk, but it would have been better if the aftertaste of Mirin was less pronounced. Other toppings were typical of Sapporo-style ramen, lacking any distinct differences or memorable additions.
AJITAMA ASAHIKAWA TONKOTSU SHOYU RAMEN – 20/100 POINTS
Noodle – 5/35
The noodles used here are different from the usual and closer to the typical Tonkotsu ramen noodles. While the texture of the noodles held up well, there was a noticeable “yellow noodle” aftertaste, which was accentuated by the lightness of the broth. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave a favorable impression.
Soup – 0/35
The broth was incredibly disappointing. It lacked depth and flavor, leaving our discerning palates struggling to taste anything substantial.
Meat – 10/20
Similar to our previous experience, the meat slightly improved during our second visit. The slices were slightly thicker, which enhanced the overall flavor profile.
Toppings – 5/10
The runny yolk was a highlight, although it would have been better if the aftertaste of Mirin was less pronounced. The inclusion of seaweed and bamboo shoots added some variety, but the shoots were unfortunately tough and did not contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment of the dish.
TOKUSEI HOKKAIDO TONKOTSU MISO RAMEN WITH BUTTER – 50/100 points
Noodle – 20/35
The noodles are thick, curly, and have a yellowish hue, which is typical for Hokkaido-style miso ramen. As you slurp them up, the curly noodles capture some of the chunky goodness, like corn, creating a satisfying bite. While they are decent, they don’t leave a lasting impression.
Soup – 15/35
The broth, even with the addition of butter, is average at best. It could benefit from being more savory and flavorful to elevate the overall taste experience.
Meat – 10/20
The meat is ordinary, but the portion size is notably generous, especially when we visited during ongoing discounts or promotions.
Toppings – 5/10
The runny yolk is enjoyable, although it would be better if the aftertaste of Mirin was slightly less pronounced. The rest of the toppings align with the expectations of Sapporo-style ramen, but they lack any distinct differences or memorable additions.
SAPPORO EBI CHASHU RAMEN 35/100 points
Noodle – 20/35
The noodles are identical to those in the miso version. They are thick, curly, and have a yellowish hue, which is typical for Hokkaido-style ramen. As you slurp them up, the curly noodles carry some of the chunky goodness, like corn, enhancing each bite. While they are satisfactory, they fail to leave a lasting impression.
Broth – 0/35
The spiciness of the broth overwhelms all other flavors in the ramen. It dominates the dish to the point where you can hardly taste anything beyond the intense spiciness. It lacks depth and complexity, resulting in a disappointing broth.
Meat – 10/20
The meat is average, similar to the miso version. However, the portion size is notably generous, especially when visited during ongoing discounts or promotions.
Toppings – 5/10
The runny yolk is enjoyable, although it would be better if the aftertaste of Mirin was less pronounced. As for the other toppings, they are fairly ordinary and fail to transform this dish into a standout Kara-miso variation.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
