WHAT WE ATE

• Special Black Ramen, 55/100 (29 July 2023, Beauty World Food Centre)

Alright, time to explore the hidden gems of our heartlands! Let’s kick things off with Buta Kin, nestled in Beauty World Food Centre – a popular hawker ramen joint that’s often talked about. Sure, the prices might be a tad higher than your regular hawker fare, but trust me, it’s still cheaper than those big chains.

Special Black Ramen – 55/100

Noodle – 10/35

The medium-thin, cubic, and slightly wavy noodles lack that satisfying Hakata ramen bite. They turn soggy pretty quickly when left in the soup and taste pretty ordinary without any standout flavors.

Soup – 25/35

The soup is on the lighter side, validated by the 7.8 brix reading. It’s thin compared to classic Tonkotsu but has a nice light creaminess. There’s a grainy texture at the bottom – maybe nuts or soybeans? It starts with a hint of sweetness, a lingering savory garlic oil aroma, and overall, it’s decently balanced.

Meat – 15/20

The chashu is distinctively different, heavily grilled on one side till slightly crispy. The fatty part is tender and juicy, but the lean meat is a bit tough. The salty kick and subtle sourish marination are oddly satisfying, though it’s not your typical Japanese chashu.

Topping – 5/10

The tamago is pretty good, nicely marinated with a golden lava yolk. However, the rest of the toppings – black fungus and negi – are pretty average.

DISCLAIMER

One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉