WHAT WE ATE
- Chicken Cutlet Toji Ramen, 25/100 (16 Nov 2023, Bugis)
- Chashu Ramen (White), 20/100 (16 Nov 2023, Bugis)
It’s disheartening to witness a decline in the quality of Menya Musashi, especially considering the initial excitement surrounding its opening at Raffles City, characterized by long queues and high expectations. The ramen, which once had a commendable taste, now falls short of its former glory. The noodles have undergone a noticeable change, lacking the previous appeal, and the soup appears to have been diluted. Unfortunately, the overall experience has become a far cry from the impressive standards set during the restaurant’s debut.
CHICKEN CUTLET TOJI RAMEN 25/100 points
Noodle – 5/35
The noodles featured here are medium-thin and wavy, providing a weak and mushy bite. Taste-wise, the noodles seem to have absorbed the mirin flavor from the Toji sauce and lots its own taste.
Soup – 10/35
The soup carries a distinct sweetness from the Toji flavor, further intensified by the addition of onions. However, this additional layer of sweetness contributes to an already overpowering taste. Even towards the end of the meal, more than half of the soup remained, as the lingering and palate-flattening sweetness persisted.
Meat – 5/20
The batter on the meat quickly loses its crispiness in the soup, arriving at our table quite soggy. While the meat itself is acceptable, there’s a noticeable taste from the batter that falls short of expectations.
Topping – 5/10
The Toji-styled ramen essentially features a Toji cutlet, eggs, and onions placed atop a bowl of mushy noodles. The way the eggs are scrambled into the soup brings to mind the familiarity of homemade instant noodles with egg.
CHASHU RAMEN (WHITE) 20/100 points
Noodle – 5/35
Utilizing the same noodles as before, this iteration lacks the cloying sweetness found in the Toji ramen. However, the persisting issue of a feeble bite and mushy texture remains, leaving the overall noodle experience lacking in satisfaction. The noodles themselves continue to lack a distinct flavor in this version.
Soup – 15/35
Although the soup boasts richness as confirmed by the refractometer, a subtle porky odor is present. While the broth is savory-sweet, an excessive shoyu aftertaste is noted. The soup’s texture leans towards the watery side, not reaching the standard found in other establishments. While not dreadful, it still falls short of expectations.
Meat – 0/20
The chashu is exceptionally thin, a relief considering its toughness, dryness, and lack of flavor. A thicker piece would have resembled chewing through cardboard.
Topping – 0/10
Other toppings include notably pungent bamboo shoots and overcooked black fungus, adding a further disappointment to the overall dish.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
