Shimbashi Soba @ Great World City - Freshly Made Soba Using The "Santate" Process

Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street has moved into the city with the opening of its third outlet at Great World City. The Japanese food enclaves at its third venue presents 5 food, beverage and retail brands under one roof. Joining Ichiban Boshi and Kuriya Japanese Market in the expanded area at the basement of Great World City is Shimbashi Soba, offering freshly made buckwheat noodles daily using pesticide-free buckwheat cultivated under the most ideal weather conditions in Tasmania.

Seiro 4.2/5

I personally find that the best way to appreciate the soba (buckwheat noodles) is to have it plain. The Seiro ($11.80) with the soba served chilled comes with delectable chewy bite. The more I chew on it, the fragrant of the buckwheat since to be more prominent. You can also dip the soba into the dipping sauce for a deeper profile.

Chilled Ume Soba & Prawn Tempura 4/5

I find the Chilled Ume Soba & Prawn Tempura ($18.80) rather unique. This is the first time I tried the dish. The chilled soup noodle comes with vegetables, seaweed, pickled plum, grated radish, bonito flakes and lemon served with prawn & pumpkin tempura. The soup was light and refreshing but I thought there was a bit too much flavours at play.

Warigo Soba 3.5/5

If you like variety then the Warigo Soba ($21.80) will suit you. It comes with 5 small bowls of chilled noodles with 5 different toppings. Items are subject to change according to seasonality and availability. Among the 5 bowls, my personal favourite is the soba with lemon and seaweed. The sour from the lemon unexpectedly liven the whole enjoyment of the buckwheat noodle.

Buckwheat Tea 4.2/5

Last but not least, washed down all the delicious bowl of noodles with a cup of Buckwheat Tea. This is the same buckwheat that is used to make the noodles.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Shimbashi Soba
Great World City
Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street
#B1-01/02/03/04
1 Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 68359052
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Orchard MRT station (Stop ID B09022). Take bus number 16 or 175. Alight 4 bus stops later. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station. (Stop ID B06011). Take bus number 75 or 970. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Great World City. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 5, 16 or 195. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Ippudo @ Tanjong Pagar Centre - The Famed Ramen Opens Its 9th Outlet

With IPPUDO opening its ninth outlet at Tanjong Pagar Centre, CBD crowd can now enjoy another famed ramen to either fuel them for the long day or comfort their tired soul at dusk. What's special about this outlet is that three new side dishes were crafted exclusively for it, alongside with the reintroduction of its three seasonal ramen dishes.

Salmon Katsu 4.5/5

It's not all about ramen at Ippudo. Savour their new side dishes before tucking into your favourite ramen. The three new sides dishes are Aburi Beef Sushi with Ikura ($18), Teppan Chashu Hamburg ($15) and Salmon Katsu ($18).

Salmon Katsu wins me over with its soft and tender sashimi core that comes breaded. Like any fried stuff, the crispy thin batter adds an extra yumminess to the salmon sashimi and the accompanying piquant house-made tartar sauce makes it even more delish and satisfying.

Aburi Beef Sushi with Ikura 3/5

Aburi Beef Sushi with Ikura comes in cute bundles of Hokkaido sushi rice wrapped with pan-seared prime beef slices, crowned with fresh ikura. Thicker slices of beef might have made them fuller in flavour and texture.

Teppan Chashu Hamburg 3.5/5

Teppan Chashu Hamburg is a light starter featuring a hand-chopped pork patty topped with a raw egg yolk. Pouring the complementing homemade teriyaki sauce over while it was still hot had a slight sizzling effect that whets my appetite.

Spicy Black 4/5

Spicy Black, Chuka Soba and Hakata Niku Soba are seasonal ramens that have earned themselves a place in the main menu. Preferring thick and milky broth, we tried Spicy Black ($19) and Hakata Niku Soba ($17). Inspired by bak kut teh, Spicy Black comes with a dollop of a special homemade miso paste that enriches the already thick broth with spices and peppers, resulting in a robust, creamy broth with nutty nuances. It reminds me of black sesame broth but the flavour is alot more intense.

Hakata Niku Soba 3/5

Hakata Niku Soba ($17) is however, disappointing. The thin slices of pork belly were somewhat dry when I was expecting meltingly tender meats.

A good refreshing beverage to go with your ramen would be Lemon Soda ($5)

Another addition to this new outlet is its sake bar which offers hot and cold sake, Sapporo beer and whisky highball. I like the fact that I'm given the choice of tasting portion and full cup. I do recommend trying out their premium sake which is round, sweet and refreshing.

Following Japanese culture where Japanese diners seek out quality alcoholic drinks at best-value prices, its Choinomi Set Promotion ($12.90) comes with a choice of draft beer, highball or bottled beer together with one serving of otsumami - snacks specially prepared to pair with the drinks. You can choose from 12 different snacks including Chicken Karaage, Spicy Chicken Wing and Otsumami Menma. Promotion is available daily from 3 pm onwards until closing.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ippudo
Tanjong Pagar Centre
5 Wallich Street
#01-15
Singapore 078883
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]