Ramen Nagi | Singapore | 85/100

WHAT WE ATE

• Green King, 80/100 (10 Jun 2023, ION)
• Red King, 85/100 (10 Jun 2023, ION)
• Black King, 85/100 (3 Jan 2022, Suntec City – outlet seems closed)
• Butao King, 75/100 (3 Jan 2022, Suntec City – outlet seems closed)

If you’re seeking a unique ramen experience, look no further than this renowned chain hailing from Fukuoka, Japan. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by their catchy tagline – Universal Noodle Creator. While you won’t be inventing your own ramen recipe, you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your bowl to a great extent. From selecting your preferred noodle firmness to adjusting the richness of the broth, amount of oil, and even the choice of toppings, customization options abound. What’s more, they offer a delightful surprise: pork loin or pork belly comes at the same price, which is a refreshing change, considering that many establishments charge extra for the latter. Get ready to embark on a ramen adventure tailored to your preferences.

GREEN KING 80/100 points

Ramen Nagi Review:

Noodle – 35/35

The noodles at Ramen Nagi are a standout feature. With a medium thinness, they boast a satisfying texture and an al dente bite. The density of the noodles is just right, and the subtle wheat flavor is satisfying without any overpowering kansui taste.

Soup – 30/35

It begins with a cheesy texture and notes that add a unique savouriness. This is followed by a subtle basil and olive aroma, creating an intriguing combination. The richness of the tonkotsu broth comes through, delivering a satisfying sweetness. Towards the end, there is a touch of spiciness that lingers, leaving a pleasant burn in the throat. However, it is worth noting that the spiciness can become a bit overwhelming, slightly overpowering the overall balance. Its a very rich soup with high brix reading of 10.8 that is comparable to the classic Tonkotsu.

Meat – 10/20

The meat in Ramen Nagi’s ramen dishes could benefit from improvement. While the flavor emerges as you chew, the texture tends to be on the tougher side. However, it still manages to provide an acceptable taste. Unfortunately, as you continue eating, the meat can become dry.

Toppings – 5/10

Alongside the cheese, there are small crumbs of minced meat that resemble bacon bits, providing a salty kick that enhances the overall taste. The black fungus toppings bring a pleasing crunchiness to the dish.

RED KING XX/100 points

Noodle – 35/35

The same noodles were used in the Red King ramen. With a medium thinness, they offer a satisfying texture and maintain an al dente bite. The density of the noodle strands is perfect, and they carry a pleasant wheat taste without any overpowering presence of kansui.

Soup – 25/35

The soup in the Red King ramen packs a spicy punch right from the start. It ignites the palate with a fiery kick that lingers. There’s a familiar and aromatic essence of cayenne pepper, followed by a distinctive interplay of sweetness and savouriness that adds depth to the overall flavor profile. The brix reading for the Red King is even higher at 12.2, making it a richer dish than the others.

Meat – 20/20

The meat in the Red King ramen appears to be different. In comparison to the Green King, the meat in this variant is tender and soft, with the fat melting in your mouth. Despite its thickness, the meat is well-marinated, offering a satisfying savoury taste that complements the overall dish.

Toppings – 5/10

The Red King ramen features minced meat toppings that contribute a delightful sweetness. There’s a rich, teriyaki-like flavour to the marination, enhancing the taste profile and adding another layer of enjoyment to the dish.

BLACK KING 85/100 points

Noodle – 35/35

Nagi Ramen stands out with its incredibly thin and firm noodles, reminiscent of meesua, a beloved local delicacy. Opting for the ‘extra soft’ noodle option enhances its unique texture. The thinness perfectly complements the rich broth, and as you slurp it in, you’ll detect a subtle yet distinctive hint of sweetness or aroma, adding to the overall experience.

Soup – 35/35

At first glance, the broth appears to be black garlic, but it is actually infused with squid ink. Prepare your taste buds for a remarkable journey of flavors. The broth is an intricate tapestry of multilayered complexity – from savory and sweet notes to the umami richness of squid ink, culminating in a gentle spiciness. Amidst these robust flavors, the aromatic essence of garlic weaves its way, creating a harmonious and balanced broth.

Meat – 5/20

The recommended Chef’s version features pork loin as the meat option. However, it was slightly tough and had a stronger pork flavor that didn’t quite align with the heavy broth. Consider customizing your order with pork belly for a potentially more satisfying meat experience.

Toppings – 10/10

While the eggs were slightly lacking in flavor, sporting a light marinade, their appearance with a browned exterior adds visual appeal. It’s worth noting that the egg accompanying the Black King variation was overcooked compared to the one served with the Butao King. The standout topping is the black ball of spicy minced meat adorned with crispy garlic crumbs. Once stirred into the bowl, it elevates the entire meal to another dimension. Your taste buds will revel in the harmonious blend of multilayered flavors and textures, with spicy meat chunks and delightful crunchy bits of garlic enhancing each bite

BUTAO KING 75/100 points

Noodle – 35/35

Nagi Ramen offers an extraordinary noodle experience with their incredibly thin and delicate strands, similar to the beloved local meesua. Opting for ‘extra soft’ noodles accentuates their thinness, creating a delightful comparison. The thin noodles perfectly complement the rich and flavorful broth. As you savor each slurp, you’ll be greeted by a tantalizing hint of sweetness and aroma that adds a distinctive touch to the overall enjoyment.

Soup – 25/35

While the broth maintains a pleasing balance of savory and fragrant elements, we found it to be slightly thin and light, even when opting for the ‘normal’ broth option. It may be worth exploring the richer broth choice on our next visit to fully experience the robust flavors Nagi Ramen has to offer.

Meat – 10/20

In our quest for a more satisfying meat option, we customized our bowl with succulent pork belly. The pork belly provided a burst of flavor without an overpowering porky aftertaste. However, the texture of the meat was still slightly tougher than desired, leaving room for improvement.

Toppings – 5/10

While the consistency of the egg in this Butao King ramen was appropriate, it lacked the desired level of marination, leaving the flavor somewhat underwhelming. Additionally, the default toppings of spring onions and black fungus could benefit from the inclusion of cabbage to enhance the overall textural experience. It would be delightful if both options were available in this ramen variation.

DISCLAIMER

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