From tonkotsu pork ramen to tori-paitan chicken ramen, here are some Japanese restaurants that’ll have you slurpin’ without your wallet hurtin’
It’s no secret that Japanese ramen has turned into a nationwide phenomenon – you’ll still find snaking queues at famous establishments, new flavours pop out of nowhere, and prices continue to get jacked up. But you don’t have put a bandage on your wallet just yet; here are some cheap restaurants for ramen in Singapore to get a bowl of piping-hot noodles for under $10.
Kuro-Obi
The flagship restaurants of the Ippudo ramen franchise might leave a lil’ bump in your wallet, but its latest sister outlet at Marina Bay Sands will save you a couple of bucks. Kuro-Obi Singapore is brand’s second overseas venture outside of New York, and serves its signature tori-paitan ramen – a slow-cooked broth that uses a chicken soup base. Served quick to dispel the dinnertime queues, a bowl of ramen here goes for as low as $8.
Kuro-Obi, #B2-54/55 Marina Bay Sands, Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972.
Takagi Ramen
The cheapest contender on our list is this modest yet noteworthy ramen eatery that ramen ninjas don’t wanna reveal. For $7.90, you can bag the signature Takagi Ramen that uses a thick tonkotsu pork broth and tops it up with two pieces of fatty char siew. Otherwise, get the spicy karaka-men for $8.50 if you want some heat, or the black tonkotsu ramen for $8.90 for a heady, sesame aroma. Oh, and Takagi Ramen is even available on Deliveroo if you’re craving stay-in munchies.
Takagi Ramen, Block 721, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, Singapore 560721, p. 9138 8017.
Ramen Monster
Despite its moniker, you won’t find monstrous prices at this neighbourly ramen restaurant in Novena. Hidden within the iconic fitness-centric mall that is Velocity is Ramen Monster, where you can snag a bowl of milky, umami-rich tonkotsu ramen for just $9.90. You don’t even need to top up for a serving of gooey soft-boiled egg.
Ramen Monster, #01-53 Velocity, 238 Thomson Road, Singapore 307683, p. 6356 4710.
Chabuton
The brainchild of Chef Yasuji Morizumi, the first ramen chef in the world to obtain a Michelin star, Chabuton is where you can gulp down Michelin-worthy tonkotsu, shio and miso ramens, without having to pay top dollar. Case in point: a small bowl of Michelin-worthy shoyu ramen here is available for $9.90
Chabuton, #B2-01 Somerset 313, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895, p. 6636 8335.
Yayoiken
As a popular Japanese franchise that’s known for its free-flow servings of rice, Yayoiken – which also serves other Japanese comfort food like hamburg steaks and curry – offers a decent deal for its ramen too. You can slurp up a pork base ramen with pork and vegetables for the wallet-friendly price of $9.90.
Yayoiken has several outlets islandwide, including Liang Court and Bugis+.
Can’t get enough of Japanese cuisine? Check out where to find the best ramen, teppanyaki, and yakitori in Singapore.