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.

Established by Singapore’s inaugural Tonkatsu Chef, Hajime stands as a well-kept secret, having graced the culinary scene for numerous years. Chef Tan-San not only pioneered the art of Tonkatsu in Singapore but also played a pivotal role in the founding success of Tampopo, a name that holds nostalgic significance for many Singaporeans from their younger years.

Founded in 1936, Menzo Butao is renowned for its expertise in crafting Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen, boasting an extensive menu featuring over 20 ramen dishes. While we won’t get to see the full variety in Singapore, it is operated by JFH group, which means you get to make use of its loyalty points system when dining here.

This Tokusei Ramen isn’t the same as the “Tokusei Ramen Box” or the now-closed “Tokusei Souper Ramen” – or perhaps it is… though the specifics remain uncertain. “Tokusei Ramen” is exclusively available through food delivery apps as it operates as a virtual brand.

According to their website: “A popular ramen shop directly managed by a butcher shop on the Sennichimae shopping street, right next to Namba Station. Our proud “Shiawase Ramen” is a tonkotsu soy sauce flavor that uses pork bones that have been slowly simmered for over 12 hours.

The sauce is somewhat subtle and there’s not enough of it to coat the generous portion of noodles. Nevertheless, when you can taste it, the sweet and savory sauce complements the meal well.

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.