WHAT WE ATE

• Gyokai Tonkotsu Ramen – 55/100, HCMC, Le Thanh Ton
• Zero Special Ramen – 65/100, HCMC, Le Thanh Ton

GYOKAI TONKOTSU RAMEN – 55/100 points

Noodles 20/35
The noodles used here is quite unique. It’s medium thick and shape is more oblong. The bite and mouth feel is good but overall lacking in any distinctive taste of the noodles.

Broth 25/35
The broth is bonito based. It’s rich and a little more on the creamy side compared to other bonito ramen. It started with sharp bonito flavour and ends with a savory umami taste.

Meat 5/20
The chashu used for this is weird. It’s a rather thick and huge slice but texture don’t quite taste like pork. It’s tough, a little dry and taste more like chicken instead. Was it meant to be “aburi-ed” before serving? It’s also a little bland in taste.

Toppings 5/10
The egg is ok. Other negi, bamboo shoot and cabbage. Bamboo shoots are a little pungent but luckily tender enough. Cabbage is a little tough and undercooked.

ZERO SPECIAL RAMEN – 65/100 points

Zero special Ramen is based on the OG of all ippudo recipes. The original one that started everything at Ippudo. It’s a commemorative version that I’ve not seen it anywhere else.

Noodle 30/35
Taste same as shiromaru. Copy from SG version.

Soup 10/35
The soup has the right saltiness but a little light and thin like something is missing. Its flat and feels empty.

Meat 20/20
There’s 2 types of meat given. One is the weird “not sure chicken or pork” chashu. Another is a thinner grilled version that looks alot more familiar. Discounting the weird chashu – the good one is really good. It’s soft and tender. Some fatty parts of it melts in your mouth. The savoury marination was just nice and the aburi smokiness also hit the right spot.

Toppings 5/10
Egg is ok. Other ingredients are the black fungus and beansprouts. Nothing special.

DISCLAIMER

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