The Rundown
Head chef Atsushi Yamamoto has come a long way from his early days of selling just five bowls of ramen a day in his humble eight-seater stall in Japan. The opening of Konjiki Hototogisu in Singapore has definitely marked the culmination of years of hard work by the chef, who has successfully created a one-of-a-kind clam broth that’s different from what most ramen restaurants here offer. This, together with their unique noodles that are made with high-quality Hokkaido flour and whole grains, is a bowl of ramen that has been perfected over the years.
The Vibe
Konjiki Hototogisu draws its design inspiration from ramen shops in Japan, from the narrow walkway right down to the limited seating spaces. It’s not so ideal for big group gatherings, but it can make a great choice for low-key date nights, especially with the romantic allure of CHIJMES. Make a reservation or drop by during the restaurant’s off-peak hours to beat the crowds.
What’s Good
The experience begins with a complimentary Fukugawa Meshi, a mini serving of clam rice to pad your tummy while waiting for ramen. Without a doubt, their Hamaguri Soup Signature series ($14.90 without egg, $16.90 with egg) is a must-try. Two flavours are available — the Shoyu Hamaguri Soup Signature has earthier notes from the addition of black truffles, while the white truffle-perfumed Shio Hamaguri Soup Signature is sharper in flavour. We really like how the combination of the clam-infused broth and truffles gives a lot more umami flavour compared to your run-of-the-mill tonkotsu broth. The smooth and chewy noodles boast a nutty fragrance from the use of whole grains. The ramen is also topped with a tender piece of belly cha shu and their signature sous-vide cha shu, though we would have preferred them in thicker slices to get a fuller taste of the pork.
If you favour the classic creamy broth made from pork bones, Konjiki has a selection of tonkotsu-based ramen as well. Exclusive to the Singapore outlet, and only available starting 6 July, is an interesting ramen called Tonkotsu Smoke & Pepper ($13.90). With our first sip, the broth sent a lingering smoky flavour with hints of spice, thanks to the clever use of sakura wood chips and black pepper — we were pleasantly surprised.
Ramen fans, Konjiki Hototogisu has a few good and unique offerings that is well worth your visit. We would love to have a taste of their bouncy noodles and flavoursome soup again, and probably with a cha shu top-up next time!
Read what the Burpple community thinks about Konjiki Hototogisu here.
