Mensho Tokyo @ Raffles City - Award-winning Global Ramen Brand Opens In Singapore with Exclusive Chilli Crab Ramen

Mensho Tokyo, founded by legendary ramen master Tomoharu Shono in 2005, has landed in Raffles City, Singapore. Known for combining traditional ramen-making with bold and complex flavour profiles, Mensho Tokyo's Singapore outlet boasts exclusive local creations. It is the first Mensho outlet in the world to offer desserts on its menu. Naturally, I had to check it out.

A5 Wagyu Abura Soba 4.2/5

The most premium item on the menu is the A5 Wagyu Abura Soba ($41). This dish features house-made thick wheat noodles and a sauce crafted from Kioke wood barrel-aged shoyu. The soba is accompanied by two types of Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, spinach, baby asparagus, red onion, truffle paste, charcoal leek, and calamansi. The rich, dry-style ramen highlights the luxurious wagyu cuts, making it a must-try for any beef lover, though the price tag might leave some hesitating.

Duck Matcha 4.2/5

I was taken aback when I saw Duck Matcha ($28) on the menu. Matcha paired with ramen? Intrigued by the audacity of this creation, I decided to give it a go. Surprisingly, it works! The house-made wavy noodles are served in a creamy chicken matcha broth, topped with tender duck chashu and whipped cream. The harmonious combination offers an intriguing balance of umami and matcha bitterness. However, this dish must be eaten hot, as the matcha powder tends to separate when the broth cools, affecting the overall experience.

Signature Toripaitan 4.5/5

If it's your first time at Mensho Tokyo, I highly recommend the Signature Toripaitan ($28). Initially priced at $38, it's now more affordable at $28. It is the quintessential dish at Mensho, with house-made wavy wheat noodles, served in a rich and creamy chicken broth, accompanied by a medley of A5 Wagyu chashu, smoked pork chashu, duck chashu, and chicken chashu. Topped with king oyster mushroom menma, truffle sauce, ajitama egg, and fried burdock roots, the flavours are decadent and satisfying. The Classic Toripaitan with just smoked pork chashu is available for a more straightforward option at $19.

Fujiringo Chamomile and Momo-no Bubbles

Unlike most ramen shops, Mensho Tokyo sets itself apart by offering cocktails, mocktails, and desserts. We tried the Fujiringo Chamomile ($10), made with cold brew chamomile, homemade Fuji apple purée, and sparkling water. The Momo-no Bubbles ($18), a refreshing mix of Japanese peach liqueur, fresh lime, passionfruit, and prosecco, added a delightful effervescence to the meal.

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Cavier Sushi (2pc) 4.5/5

We couldn't resist trying the A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Caviar Sushi ($14/2pc). This luxurious sushi swaps the usual seafood for melt-in-your-mouth A5 wagyu, topped with a touch of caviar. The wagyu's fattiness and the caviar's delicate brininess created an elevated sushi experience that's well worth the indulgence.

Corn Wings 4/5

For sides, we ordered the Corn Wings ($8.80), which were grilled to perfection with an aromatic char that complemented the natural sweetness of the corn. It's a simple yet satisfying side dish that adds a fun twist to the meal.

Yuzu 4/5

Houjicha Tiramisu 4.2/5

We tried the Yuzu Sorbet ($8.80) and Houjicha Tiramisu ($8.80) for dessert. The Yuzu sorbet provided a refreshing palate cleanser after the richness of the ramen. The Houjicha Tiramisu was creamy and aromatic with a subtle roasted tea flavour, though the portion size in its shot glass serving felt a little small for the price.

Overall, Mensho Tokyo offers a unique and refined ramen experience. Despite the use of chicken soup for many of the ramen dishes, the broths are surprisingly rich and creamy, almost like a hybrid between tonkotsu (pork-based broth) and chicken-based ramen. The addition of exclusive dishes, sushi, and desserts elevates the experience even further, making it more than just a ramen stop but a dining destination. It's a little on the pricier side, but the quality justifies the cost. If you're looking for a place that reimagines ramen and offers something beyond the ordinary, Mensho Tokyo is definitely worth a visit!

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Mensho Tokyo
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#03-43
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 83808467
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Xia Mi Hao Liao (虾觅好料) @ Jalan Besar - Hairy Crabs and Crawfish at New Hubei-style Chinese Restaurant

Xia Mi Hao Liao (虾觅好料) is a new Hubei-style seafood restaurant that has just opened its doors in Jalan Besar, specialising in hairy crabs and live crawfish. These seafood delights are flown in weekly from China to ensure freshness. Diners can enjoy their crabs and crawfish prepared in one of five ways: Spicy, Signature 10 Spiced, Steamed, Minced Garlic, or Bi Feng Tang style.

The restaurant, which seats 68 guests across two stories, is decked in vibrant, eclectic colours and lively wall paintings. For those seeking a more private dining experience, VIP rooms are available by reservation.

Pickled Cucumbers 3.5/5

We began our meal with the Pickled Cucumbers ($12). Despite its unassuming appearance, these crunchy cucumber strips packed a surprisingly strong kick of heat and a lingering numbness. However, we found the portion size too pricey for what was offered.

Lotus Root Fries 3/5

Next, we tried the Lotus Root Fries ($16). These thick-cut, crunchy fries provided an interesting alternative to the usual potato fries.

Salt & Pepper Crawfish Tail 3.5/5

Another starter we had was the crunchy Salt & Pepper Crawfish Tail ($32), which could be eaten whole, shell included. The seasoning was addictive, but these weren't as fresh and fleshy and felt pricey for its portion. From now until 30 September, the restaurant is offering a promotion of 50% off this dish, with a minimum order of one large portion of live crawfish. This offer is valid for dine-in only.

Steamed Hairy Crab 3.8/5

The first main dish we tried was the Steamed Hairy Crab (Seasonal Price), served in a bamboo steamer. Each crab was fresh and carried a good amount of rich, creamy roe. Although dips of soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger were provided, we preferred to enjoy the natural flavours of the crab on its own.

Steamed Crawfish 3.8/5

Following the hairy crab, we were served a basket of Steamed Crawfish ($48 for S, $90 for L). The bright red crawfish were also served with the same dipping sauces as the hairy crab. The crawfish meat was decent on its own, but the dips helped to enhance the flavour.

Signature 10 Spiced Combo 4/5

We moved on to the Signature 10 Spiced Combo ($125), which was much richer in flavour. This dish featured crabs and crawfish cooked in an oil-stewed 10-spice sauce made from a blend of spices, including star anise, licorice root, and Chinese cinnamon. There's also an option to add instant noodles, which can be tossed in the base red oil, though we found the noodles to be a bit too salty for our liking.

Bi Feng Tang Combo 4/5

The final dish we tried was the Bi Feng Tang Combo ($125). It consisted of a mix of crabs and crawfish coated in deep-fried minced garlic, peppered with chillies and black beans. The aromatic garlic added a delightful crunch.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Xia Mi Hao Liao (虾觅好料)
20 Upper Weld Road
Singapore 207377
Tel: +65 8314 5451
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Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar MRT (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 5pm - 1am
Sat-Sun, PH: 1130am - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk towards Weld Road. Turn right onto Weld Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]