Hakata Ikkousha @ Chijmes

Having won the Ultimate Ramen Champion for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012 in Singapore with the sales of the ramen doubling that of their closest competition in both years, it is not surprise to see Hakata Ikkousha venturing out on its own to step up its own ramen restaurant with such good report card. With the first ramen restaurant at Tanjong Pagar, Hakata Ikkousha opens their second outlet in the span of about 6 months at Chijmes bringing its celebrated cuisine to the heart of Singapore.

Free flow hard boiled eggs seem like a necessities nowadays at ramen restaurant in Singapore. If I am not wrong it was first started by Keisuke Tonkotsu King and soon many ramen shops follow suit.

Gyoza 3.5/5

Besides their popular ramen, Hakata Ikkousha does offers some sides on their menu too. While waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, we started with some gyoza and fried chicken to warm our hungry tummies. The Gyoza ($5) was pretty decent stuffed with a well flavoured meaty filling wrapped in a thin and crispy skin.

Fried Chicken 4/5

Singapore loves their fried stuff and I would have to say the Fried Chicken ($5) pieces at Hakata Ikkousha was big, tender and juicy. It will be well received by the locals.

Special Tonkotsu 4.2/5

Once everyone in the group has reached, we started with the signature ramen of Hakka Ikkousha originated from Fukuoka, Japan. First was the Special Tonkotsu ($16) that comes with four huge pieces of pork slices and three pieces of seaweed. This is luxurious in a bowl with the robust broth and thin springy noodles. The creamy broth was simmered over a low heat for over 12 hours. I was told that during the boiling of the broth, the pork bones were actually changed in the process, a Ikkousha's secret. Well it is no secret anymore.

Black Tonkotsu 4.5/5

A favourite of mine at Hakka Ikkousha is the Black Tonkotus ($13.5). I like the aroma of the black sesame with the slurping good noodles. I was pleasantly surprised by the harmonious combination of black sesame with the tonkotsu broth. In fact, I thought it further enhanced the whole body of the broth.

Spicy Tonkotsu 4.2/5

To suit the local's love of spice, Hakata Ikkousha has introduced the Spicy Tonkotsu ($13.5). To be frank I was skeptical about it because usually Japanese spice is not hot at all. However, I have to say the bowl of spicy tonkotsu has made the mark with its spiciness that will be liked by locals.

With all the inflood of ramen chains to the shore of Singapore, Hakata Ikkousha will be one of top in my lists for a comforting bowl of ramen with its robust broth, thin and springy noodles. No wonder it has won the votes of the locals and being crowned champion for two consecutive years.


Hakata Ikkousha
Chijmes
30 Victoria Street
#01-07
Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 63388460
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hakataikkousha.singapore
Website: http://www.ikkousha.com/
Nearest MRT: Bras Basah (CC Line), City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 10pm
Sun: 1130am - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre to Bras Basah Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, cross the road to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk southwards towards Victoria Road. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and Victoria Road, cross the junction to Chijmes. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Pontini @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

It is all about Italian with the first ever Italian Buffet at Pontini, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Starting from 04 October 2014, Chef Daniele Sarno of Pontini unveils a sparkling new Italian buffet featuring a plethora of antipasti, breads, soup, main courses and desserts from various regions in Italy.

Pizza 4/5

What is Italian buffet without their staple Pizza and Pasta isn't it? The pizza and pasta are done a la minute. The Pizza comes in three bases, Tre Porcellini, Vegetarian and Margarita with up to 21 different topping choices. My advice is to place your order to the kitchen and help yourself to the spread of antipasti, bread and soup first while waiting for the pizza to be served.

Pizza 4/5

I do not like my pizza to be crowded with ingredients so I am content to have only two to three toppings. Biting into the thin crust pizza, the first thing that hit my palate is the taste of fresh tomatoes. This itself already won me. Nothing beats the taste of freshness.

Tagliolini Genovese style basil pesto sauce 4.2/5

Moving on to pasta section, one has a choice of Tagliolini, Penne and Tagliatelle. There are 5 different styles of cooking you can opt for. They are Aglio Olio and sweet chilli, Fresh tomato fondue with basil, Roman style carbonara, Wild mushroom, pancetta, pine nuts and parmesan cheese and Genovese style basil pesto sauce.

Tagliatelle Wild mushroom, pancetta, pine nuts and parmesan cheese 4.2/5

Like the pizza, the pasta are also cooked a la minute. The pasta were also freshly made from the kitchen and cooked to a nice al dente bite. Once again the essence of simplicity and the used of fresh ingredients of Italian cuisine is clearly demonstrated in the plate.

Piedomont Style Braised Beef Brisket 4/5

It is a buffet so we can't just stop at pizza and pasta. There are three different mains available on the menu for selection too. It is a buffet so we tried all the three items. We started with the Piedomont Style Braised Beef Brisket on top a bed of potato fondant in herbs gravy. The beef brisket was beautifully cooked under it literally melted in the mouth. It also carried a rich and robust flavour that was cleverly balanced by the potato fondant.

Chicken thigh Diavola 4.5/5

The Chicken Thigh Diavola with tomato sauce, spicy capsicum and dry oregano was my favourite among the three mains. The tender chicken with the fresh tomato sauce worked marvelously on my palate. I think I will gladly eat anything that is served to me using the fresh tomato sauce.

Oven Baked Norwegian Salmon Mignon 4/5

From the land we moved to the sea with the Oven Baked Norwegian Salmon Mignon in Pistachio Crust. The pistachio was hardly noticeably but it did give the pinkish salmon an extra layer of texture.

Of course every buffet comes with a spread of sweetness to end the feast on a sugar rush. Indulge in a selection of desserts after a journey through the different antipasti, breads, soup, pizza, pasta and mains to end the Italian feast on a sweet note.

Stracciatella & Ricotta Cannoli 4/5

There was even a live station that made my Stracciatell and Ricotta Cannoli

The Italian Buffet is priced at $48++ per person. It is only available on Saturday and public holidays from 12pm to 4pm.


Pontini
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
Level 2
392 Havelock Road
Singapore 169663
Tel: +65 62331100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrandCopthorneWaterfrontHotel
Website: http://www.millenniumhotels.com.sg/grandcopthornewaterfront/dining/pontini.html
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Italian Buffet: 12pm - 4pm (Sat and PH)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru Plaza (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 123. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to junction of Havelock Road and Kim Seng Road. Cross the junction and turn left. Walk to destination. Journey about 15 minutes. [Map]