Saturday, August 22, 2015

Otoko Ramen - The Place for the Best Chashu So Far! @ Alexandra Central Mall (the Old Safra Clubhouse Bukit Merah Premise)


Anyone who dropped by Queensway shopping centre in the past would not have missed the building that had mannequins in army wear seemingly rappelling a rockwall on its facade; the old Safra clubhouse @ Bukit Merah. 


With its prominent location, i can imagine why the clubhouse was eventually relocated to the quieter Mount Faber and in its place now is a spanking new hotel (Park Hotel) with a shopping wing.

And it's the shopping section that we came for. A fellow colleague had strongly recommended one of the tenants; Otoko Ramen, tempting us with her revelation on the melt-in-your-mouth chashu that hailed from the ramen restaurant! 

Do keep in mind that the establishment was extremely tiny with a seating capacity of no more than twenty persons! Hence, you may wish to give this a miss for big-group gathering.

Shoyu Ramen
With a limited menu, it didn't take us long to decide what we want. For me, it would make better sense for me to review ramen in a ramen restaurant! I did ponder a bit on which type to order and upon sound advice from the pretty and friendly staff, i opted for shoyu! 

Topped with a generous serving of sliced cabbage and beansprouts, the broth was lightly flavoured even though my taste buds could still discern its robust fattiness! Noodles were the thin type that i generally prefer for ramen.

The bomb was on the two pieces of cha shu and i was mentally smacking myself for not ordering the cha shu ramen after i took a quick bite; it was easily the softest cha shu i ever have with a rare tenderness! I would happily exchange my favourite char siew for more pieces! 

Aburi Chashu
The chashu in the ramen was good but these totally blew me away! I was already thinking of having a second serving as i was slowly savouring the delicious meat; honestly, screw the cholesterol! 

Remember the aburi salmon i had at Standing Sushi Bar? This dish was the chashu variant and blessed with chunks of fats from slices of pork belly that were lightly grilled; they were in fact much more addictive and way more yummy! 

Should i drive to Queensway tomorrow? 

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Location
321, Alexandra Road,
#01-16, Alexandra Central Mall

Map
As above

Opening Hours
Mondays to Fridays (Lunch) - 11am to 3pm
Mondays to Fridays (Dinner) - 5pm to 10pm
Saturdays and Sundays (Full Day) - 11am to 10pm
Public Holidays (Full Day) - 11am to 10pm
Eve of Public Holidays (Full Day) - 11am to 10pm

Contact Number
+65-6250-2889

Facebook

Menu
As above.

Pricing
Shoyu Ramen (Medium) - S$12.90
Aburi Chashu - S$9.90
(Subject to GST and Service Charge)

Additional Information
For a more aromatic / flavourful broth, do use the condiments placed on your table. A sprinkling of sesame seeds did make a whole lot of difference.

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