Kumamoto Ramen (Bukit Merah)

The main outlet at Serangoon was great value so I tried this. It's still cheap, but the wow factor has been moderated. This was as average as average is. I appreciate the beef pieces but they're very normal.

Checked out Kumamoto Ramen at Blk 11 Jalan Bukit Merah; a fairly new establishment which is located beside Nature Cafe — whilst the concept isn’t entirely new with outlets situated at Serangoon North and at Ang Mo Kio, those other outlets are situated within coffeeshops, while the Bukit Merah outlet is a standalone shop space. Run by the same folks behind You Ma You La Mala Xiang Guo, Kumamoto Ramen serves up quite a decent range of ramen at pretty affordable prices — most of them feature a Tonkotsu broth, and prices do start from $6.80, with nothing going above the price of $10. For those who are not into ramen, Kumamoto Ramen also serves up a small variety of rice dishes — think Stewed Pork/Beef Don, and Spicy Minced Pork Don, as well as a range of Zosui (i.e. Japanese Rice Soup). They also do offer quite a variety of beverages, such as a Milk & Milk Tea series, Brown Sugar series and Fruit Tea series apart from a rather standard selection of canned soft drinks.

The Hot Tan Tan Noodles features their Tonkotsu broth, and comes served with spicy minced pork, Ajitama, Spring Onion and Beansprouts — also do come with a slice of fish cake which isn’t mentioned in the item’s description on the menu. There isn’t really much to pick on for the broth especially at the price point; its a rather competent one especially when compared against other coffeeshop-based Ramen establishments at similar price points — sufficiently rich and creamy, without being particularly greasy even with the addition of the spicy minced pork. Even though the minced pork bits were suggested to be spicy, we found that the level of spiciness here is rather mild and works more as a savoury addition that should do well even for those with lower tolerance of spiciness. Liked how the spicy minced pork bits did provide a chew that works well with the black fungus added; did not carry any undesirable porky stench, while the noodles is done just right for my preference, carrying a good bite. The Ajitama does come with a somewhat molten egg yolk; a crowd pleaser on its own. Overall, a pretty wholesome bowl packed with sufficient ingredients that was especially well-priced at $6.80.

Kumamoto Ramen adds to the growing list of names that are poised to provide the masses Japanese Ramen at affordable prices in a neighbourhood setting; pretty much in the likes of Takagi Ramen and Ramen King, to just name a few. In its own right, Kumamoto Ramen has nailed down pretty much the details of serving up a value-for-money bowl of ramen — one that could easily rival that of some commercial renditions that can be found in malls almost everywhere. Noticed that while the location itself was pretty quiet when we made our visit, they can turn quite busy here when there is a influx of delivery orders being made. For those looking for spots serving up some decently-priced ramen in the neighbourhood, this is one spot that should not be missed.