Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (Orchard Cuppage Terrace)

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is a Japanese ramen chain, started by Hitoshi Hatanaka in 1988, in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. It all began because Hitoshi Hatanaka was not satisfied with the taste of a ramen he had at a ramen shop. Hence, he used his own recipe and started off small with only 9 seats and one item on the menu. Today, almost 25 years later, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka operates 54 ramen restaurants worldwide in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada as well as United States of America. 

So what made them so successful? Read on to find out.

Visited the outlet at Orchard Cuppage Terrace, next to OG Orchard Point and Centrepoint. Although it was a weekend afternoon, the restaurant was only half full, with plenty of seats available. There were more seats available outdoors compared to indoors (where it is air-conditioned). 

Chawanmushi $3.50

The Chawanmushi; steamed egg pudding with salmon roe was impressive. It was very smooth and wobbly. In terms of taste, it was amazingly aromatic and tasty! One of the better Chawanmushi I have had. Reminds me of the one from Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant.

Shin-Aji Shoyu Ramen $3.50

I ordered the Shin-Aji Shoyu Ramen. The ramen (noodle) was quite good. Thin, curly and chewy with a smooth texture. More the ramen was springy (QQ) springy and not soggy. The broth was clear, rich and robust. Light brown in colour because soy sauce was used (hence the word 'Shoyu'). It was so aromatic with sweetness and saltiness well-balanced.

Three big pieces of Char Siew were given. They sliced at the ideal thickness for me to get a good bite on it; not too thinly sliced. The Char Siew was incredibly tender with the right ratio of meat and fats that provided it with a melt in the mouth sensation. The bamboo shoots were crunchy providing a good texture to this bowl of ramen.

The Flavored Egg / Ajitsuke (Hanjuku) Tamago / Japanese Runny Egg was perfectly cooked. Firm on the outside and yet inside, it was so soft with almost all its yolk (molten) oozing out. One of the best I around here in Singapore. If you are wondering how you can make this on your own, click here for the recipe.

All in all, the Shin-Aji Shoyu Ramen was well executed  All the ingredients used in it were superb! It was a joy savouring and slurping this bowl of ramen.

Awase-Aji (Mixed Soup Ramen) $14

Awase-Aji (Mixed Soup Ramen) $14

The partner ordered the Awase-Aji; a mixed soup ramen, served with a bowl of Japanese rice topped with crunchy fried bits had a combination of salt, soy sauce and soybean in its broth. After finishing the ramen, the Japanese rice can be added into the soup. 

After this meal, I know why there has been so many rave reviews of Ramen Santouka. It's ramen is truly outstanding. Looks like this is the Best Ramen in Singapore thus far. It overtakes Nantsuttei (Parco Marina Bay) as my favourite Japanese Ramen restaurant. Forget about Ippudo and the Ramen stalls at Bugis+ Ramen Champion in the meantime. Ramen Santouka is the place for a decent bowl of Japanese ramen!

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (Orchard Cuppage Terrace)

21 Cuppage Road

Cuppage Terrace

Tel: 6235 1059

Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 12pm - 3pm, 530pm - 12am

                         Sat 12pm - 12am

                         Sun 12pm - 930pm

Website

Location

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (The Central)

6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#02-76 The Central

Tel: 6224 0668

Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 1030pm

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Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant (Greenwood Ave) 2nd Post

Another visit to Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant on a weekend lunch! This visit is my 3rd visit in two years! Shin Yuu is a restaurant that specialises A La Carte Japanese Buffet.

Buffet prices (top), Interior (bottom)

Buffet prices:

Daily Lunch 12pm to 3pm (Adult - $36.90++, Child - $21.90++)

Daily Dinner 6pm to 1030pm (Adult - $49.90++, Child - $29.90++)

Interior

Ok, let's start on the food now shall we?

Hot Green Tea

(left to right) Complimentary Smoked Duck, Seared Tuna Belly Sushi, Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon)

The Seared Tuna Belly Sushi and Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon) were fantastic - a must try. The Seared Tuna Belly Sushi was a complimentary item that cannot be ordered a second time. The Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon) was a seared salmon sushi with a smear of mentaiko sauce that brought this item to a whole new level. It was perfect with a melt in the mouth sensation. Luckily the Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi can be ordered multiple times!

Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon)

Another round of Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon).

Complimentary Fried Sliver Fish

Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi

Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi - steamed egg with salmon roe. Definitely one of the better Chawanmushi around topped with mushroom and generous amount of salmon roe! In addition, it was not salty. Had 2 servings of this.

Sashimi Moriawase (Mixed Platter)

Sashimi Moriawase consist of an assortment of Maguro(Tuna), Hiramasa (Kingfish), Shake (Salmon), Mekajiki (Swordfish) and Tako(Octopus). I must say that the Sashimi was very fresh. Sashimi fans will love this! 

Shin Yuu Special Makimono (Unagi Rolls with Avocado)

Shin Yuu Special Makimono is another must try it is Unagi Rolls with Avocado. Very good combination. Soft and delicate pieces that will break apart if not handled with care. We ordered this despite the fact that there is just the two of us. Testimonial to how much we love this dish!

Wafu Steak

Cubes of soft, tender and juicy Wafu Steak! Another must try. 

Spare Ribs Teriyaki 

What happened to the Spare Ribs Teriyaki which I had during my previous visit? This time it was dry, salty with little meat. Give this a skip.

Kani Karage (Soft Shell Crab)

Tebasaki

Tebasaki; Grilled Chicken Wings, marinated with honey! Soft, tender, juicy and well-marinated. If you like chicken wings, order this.

Shishamo

Shishamo, also known as pregnant fish was grilled. It is fresh, no fishy taste and filled with roe! This is my favourite and I had over a dozen of this!

Green Salad in Special Dressing

When we were around 70% full, we ordered the Green Salad in Special Dressing. Great dish that acted as an appetiser so that we can have more food. In addition, it was delightfully tasty. Who said that greens can't be delicious. We had 2 servings of this! Yummy!

Zaru Soba (Cold Buckwheat Noodles)

Tempura 

This is actually from the Yasai Tempura (Vegetable Fritters). However, we request for only sweet potato (purple potato)! Had 2 servings of this too!

Kuruma Ebi Teriyaki

Kuruma Ebi Teriyaki; Tiger Prawn with Sweet Soy Sauce. Well, you can give this a miss.

Overall, Shin Yuu is still one of my favourite place for buffet as the quality of the food is quite good (Normally in buffets, quality is compromised). Great food, great service (plates are frequently changed, green tea is frequently refilled, orders are taken and served efficiently). My favourites are Seared Tuna Belly Sushi,Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi, Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi, Shin Yuu Special Makimono, Wafu Steak, Tebasaki, Shishamo, Green Salad and Tempura (sweet potato)!

Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant (Greenwood Ave)
16 Greenwood Avenue
Hillcrest Park
Tel: 6763 4939
Opening Hours: Daily Lunch 12pm to 3pm (Adult - $36.90++, Child - $21.90++)
                         Daily Dinner 6pm to 1030pm (Adult - $49.90++, Child - $29.90++)
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Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant Pte Ltd

Shin Yuu is a restaurant that serves Ala Carte Japanese Buffet. Came here during lunch time on a weekend. The food was great!

Shin Yuu japanese Restaurant

Ok here comes the food. Will not comment too much unless its super yummy!

Complimentary Smoke Duck, Salmon Belly, Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon)

The Salmon Belly and Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi (Salmon) were delicious. Especially the Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi, it is the probably one of the best sushi I have ever eaten. Perfect, flawless and with melt in your mouth sensation. A oversight not to order another serving of Shin Yuu Special Aburi Sushi.

Complimentary Grilled beef short ribs

Overcooked, too hard to chew.

Complimentary Wafu Steak

Wafu Steak another must try. So soft and tender with melt in your mouth sensation!

Complimentary Gyoza

Sashimi Moriwase (Mixed Platter)

Sashimi Moriawase has six different kinds of sashimi; Maguro(tuna),Hiramasa (kingfish), Shake (salmon), Mekajiki (swordfish) and tako(octopus)

Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi

Shin Yuu Special Chawanmushi, steam egg with salmon roe.

Shin Yuu Special Makimono (Unagi with Avocado)

Shin Yuu Special Makimono is a must try.

Special Sakana Chiizu (Dory fish with cheese)

Special Sakana Chiizu, can skip.

Hotate Mentaiyaki

Hotate Mentaiyaki, grilled scallops with cod roe sauce. Scallop taste fishy!

Chuka Idako (baby octopus)

Ebi Tempura

Ebi Tempura, the prawn inside was fresh, firm and solid.

Spare Ribs Teriyaki

Pork ribs with sweet soya sauce, the meat was tender and soft!

Tebasaki

Tebasaki, grilled chicken wings. Soft, tender and juicy inside, totally shiok!

Shishamo

Kani Karage (soft shell crab)

Green Salad in Special Dressing

The green salad was so delish that we had to order two bowls !

Overall, a good experience, certainty a place to come back to. In addition, good service too; constant refilling of green tea. The staff also frequently change our dirty plates. Looks like there are several hidden gems in Greenwood Ave, a place worth exploring!

Shin Yuu Japanese Restaurant
16 Greenwood Avenue
Hillcrest Park 
Tel: 6763 4939  
Opening Hours:Lunch: 12pm – 3pm Lunch :$36.90++ (Adult), $21.90++(Child)                              
                                Dinner: 6pm – 10.30pm Dinner :$49.90++ (Adult), $29.90++ (Child)          
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