Update March 2023: Ramen King has moved to Canberra Plaza.
Japanese cuisine aficionados who fondly remember Hokkaido Ramen Santouka as the go-to place for authentic ramen, rejoice, for you can now indulge in the same goods at a fraction of the price. Ramen King, a hawker-based venture by ex-Santouka cooks, has set up shop at Tampines Street 81, bringing its mouthwatering recipe to the heartlands. (Double yay for this Eastie!)
Located a bus ride away from Tampines West MRT, 829 Food Court is home to a variety of notable hawkers, with Ramen King being one of the newest kids on the, well, block. Aside from its unabashedly bright storefront, complete with enticing visuals of its ramen offerings, Ramen King also stands out for being the sole Japanese food stall in the area.
To achieve the signature light-tasting broth, Ramen King’s team first cooks the broth from scratch and leaves it to rest at intervals over three days, before leaving it to rest for half a day at 25 degrees Celsius. What you get is a broth that is rich and umami, with a slightly mellow aftertaste that leaves you wanting more!
Where most established ramen eateries struggle to nail their noodle and broth recipes, Ramen King’s Tonkotsu Ramen ($8) is the real McCoy. You’d be hard-pressed to tell it apart from its edible counterpart at Hokkaido Santouka Ramen.
Every ingredient in the bowl is on point, from the al dente noodles to the incredibly tender and flavourful cha shu that melts in your mouth. Interestingly, Ramen King’s take on tonkotsu ramen also includes cabbage, which remains crunchy even when soaked in the broth for a prolonged period. The egg is runny and creamy. For its price, it’s an absolute steal!
Tonkotsu Ramen ($8)
For sides, you can indulge in some gyoza. Compared to the ramen, which completely blew me away, the Cheese Gyoza ($4 for 3 pieces, $6 for 5 pieces) tastes rather ordinary, with the cheese tasting more distinct on one side of the gyoza. Still, if you’re craving a decently-priced snack, this is pretty palatable.
Cheese Gyoza ($4 for 3 pieces, $6 for 5 pieces)
I’ve found my new favourite ramen joint in the east, and it’s Ramen King. If you’re really looking to indulge, try their Signature Kurobuta Toroniku Spicy Ramen!
Address: 829 Tampines Street 81, Singapore 520829
Google Maps
Nearest MRT: Tampines West DT31
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm daily
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