WHAT WE ATE
- Happiness Ramen, 75/100 (24 Aug 2023, Location)
- Double Happiness Ramen, 75/100 (24 Aug 2023, Location)
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 ingredients we use are carefully selected by professionals, and we offer a carefully selected cup 24 hours a day. In addition to three-tiered ribs, we use a rare part called [Torokotsu], and the char siu that melts the moment you put it in your mouth makes everyone happy.”
Sadly, we didn’t eat Hanamaruken despite visiting Osaka so many times. But we remember very well what it looks like whenever we walked past it – Constant queues; its 24 hours and oddly, every time we walk past it, there’s a crowd around it.
So what about the Singapore outlet? Lets find out!
DOUBLE HAPPINESS RAMEN 75/100
Noodle – 25/35
Thin and slightly wavy, the noodles boast a more yellowish hue compared to typical Hakata style ramen. Thankfully, there’s no unpleasant kansui taste, and the texture is notably firm. Taste-wise, they’re on the average side, with no distinct flavor standing out.
Soup – 25/35
The soup embarks on a savory journey and culminates in a gentle sweetness. Small sips reveal a subtle bitterness, likely stemming from the Tare or Shoyu aftertaste – a slightly tangy bitterness that actually complements the overall experience. Yet, the complexity of the flavor layers isn’t immediately evident due to the robustness of the other toppings.
Meat – 20/20
Double Happiness features two meat types:
1) Sliced Charshu
The pork belly slices are gloriously fatty and melt in your mouth. The lean portions are tender and juicy, with a lovely marination that’s executed beautifully.
2) Braised Meat
Hanamaruken’s standout is the Torokotsu (soft bone). This gelatinous cut boasts some of the tenderest pork you’ll find, with the edible soft bone providing a unique “pearl-like” texture. However, the leaner parts can be slightly dry and require more chewing.
Topping – 5/10
The marinated egg is a highlight, and the generous addition of white negi imparts pleasant spicy kicks throughout the indulgent bowl. While the bamboo shoots are fairly average, they steer clear of any odd odors and offer a slightly fibrous texture.
HAPPINESS RAMEN 75/100
The iconic Happiness Ramen, featuring the substantial pork chunk, essentially retains the same ramen base, differing only in its choice of meat topping. In place of charshu or small soft bone cubes, this version offers a substantial piece of soft bone meat (Torokotsu). Flavor-wise, it aligns with the braised meat variety, featuring edible soft bone with a delightful “pearl-like” texture reminiscent of bubble tea pearls. However, the leaner meat portions can lean slightly dry, necessitating a bit more chewing effort.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
