Do you ever get a craving so strong that nothing else will do? For me, that’s ramen. There’s something so addictive about a rich, steaming bowl — a beautiful harmony of springy noodles, tender meat, and a flavourful broth that feels like a warm hug. As a self-certified ramen connoisseur, I have roamed the nation, searching for the best ramen places.
As I conclude my ramen-hunting adventures, I feel well-qualified to share some of my favourites. So buckle up, as I take you on a journey to discover these soulful, rich, bursting-with-flavour creations.
01 • Sanpoutei Ramen
The amount of times I visited this store on a rainy day might be slightly concerning, but I promise there is a good reason for it. Their rich hearty broth can really warm you up right to the bones. Located in Holland Village and Orchard, this place is a must-visit for its signature Niigata Shoyu Ramen.
Stewed for seven hours with premium ingredients imported directly from Japan, it is no surprise that this is their specialty. The umami flavour will get you hooked from the very first scoop. The toppings which include cha-shu, nori, perfectly soft-boiled eggs, among others, perfectly balance out the richness of the broth.
Another banger is their Kotteri se Aburi ramen. The raw, diced, onions sprinkled in the broth really cuts through the thickness of the soup, adding complexity to the taste and flavour profile.
📍 Address: 253 Holland Avenue #01-01, Singapore 278982. See other locations
📞 Phone: 6463 7277
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 11:30am – 9:30pm | Fri and Sat, 11:30am – 10pm
🌐 Website: sanpoutei.sg
🍴Halal: Not halal
02 • Nantsuttei
If you’re looking to indulge in a sinful bowl of goodness, Nantsuttei is the perfect spot for ramen purists. Prioritising customer satisfaction, they’ve poured much effort into developing the perfect recipe, with the best ingredients.
Creamy and luxurious, their broth is made from slow-cooked pork bones, simmered for hours to create a satisfying base. The flavours are layered with their signature black mayu — a blend of roasted garlic and other secret ingredients. Drizzled generously over the soup, it gives the bowl a distinct, nutty aroma that makes every slurp unforgettable.
📍 Address: 181 Orchard Road, #07-12/13, Singapore 238896
📞 Phone: 6337 7166
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 9:30pm daily
🌐 Website: nantsu.com/
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
03 • Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King
Tucked away in Tanjong Pagar, this store gave me a first impression of being small, cluttered, but homely and down-to-earth. This looks like the kind of store you’d stumble into not expecting much, but being pleasantly surprised.
Being part of the Keisuke empire, a chain store with multiple branches around Singapore, they have a good following and queues are to be expected. Having tasted their decadent and flavourful broth, I can totally see the hype.
There was also free-flow hard-boiled eggs and specialty beansprouts. The juicy crunchy beansprouts were a refreshing addition to the bowl, contrasting the heaviness of the soup with a burst of lightness.
📍 Address: 1 Tras Link, #01-19 Orchid Hotel Singapore, Singapore 078867. See other locations
📞 Phone: 6636 0855
⏰ Opening hours: Mon to Fri, 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 10pm | Sat and Sun, 11:30am – 9:30pm
🌐 Website: keisuke.sg/
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
04 • Mashi No Mashi
For a more hip and modern ramen experience, Mashi No Mashi is the place to go. It is an innovative concept-restaurant, brainchild of chef Hisato Hamada. He was the first to create ramen using only wagyu beef, making this premium cut more accessible in casual settings.
Their signature Ultra Wagyu Ramen features a premium, flavour-packed broth made from 24-hour stewed wagyu beef bones. It gave the soup a savoury and nutty taste with a lighter texture than the traditional pork bone broth. With the luxurious wagyu meat layered on top, the bowl was incredibly savoury. Each slice was so delicately marbled, exploding with flavour at every bite.
If you’re feeling daring, their Tsukemen Death is a spicy ramen with a deadly kick that's not for the faint of heart!
📍 Address: 124 Beach Road, #01-04 Guoco Midtown, Singapore 189771
📞 Email: info@mashinomashi.sg
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 9:30pm daily
🌐 Website: mashinomashi.sg/
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
05 • Fire Ramen & Izakaya by Menbaka
Get ready for dinner and drama! The main event here is the theatrical "fire show" where the chef pours flaming hot oil over your ramen bowl, creating a massive pillar of fire and adding a deep, smoky flavour to the broth. A thrilling spectacle that’s sure to open your appetite. Don’t lean in too close lest the pillar of fire singes off your brows!
The broth is delightfully well-balanced and drinkable to the last drop, with the smoky undertones of the fire perfectly complementing the buttery soup. The generous mountain of green onions on top are flash-cooked by the flame, giving them a delightful crispness and a toasted aroma that’s simply delicious. It’s a fiery scene that leads to a bowl of ramen that's as memorable for its taste as it is for its drama.
📍 Address: 176 Orchard Road, #01-53 / 54 / 55 / 56. The Centrepoint Food Street, 238843
📞 Phone: 8218 9236
⏰ Opening hours: Sun to Thu, 11:30am – 9:30pm | Fri and Sat, 11:30am – 10pm
🌐 Website: instagram.com/menbaka_sg/
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
06 • Tomkotsue Kazan Ramen
Prepare for a volcanic eruption! The "Kazan" in their name means volcano, and that’s exactly what you get. Served in a 350 degree celcius stone bowl, your ramen’s delicious, savoury broth is poured over the noodles. And as it hits the bowl, it bursts into bubbles, causing a dramatic steam eruption. A conical lid is then placed over the bowl imitating a volcanic eruption and steam pours out its pointed chimney.
The hot bowl keeps the ramen piping hot throughout your meal, infusing the ingredients with a deeper, more intense flavour. Their Kazan Shoyu Ramen is a must-try for this unique experience. Mouthwatering and exciting, it is a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
📍 Address: 107 North Bridge Road, #B1-23 Funan, Singapore 179105
📞 Phone: 8757 7157
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: tonkotsukazan.com
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
07 • Mensho Tokyo
If you're looking for a luxurious ramen experience, Mensho Tokyo takes the cake. This Michelin-awarded ramen store first opened in Tokyo, branching out internationally in light of its overwhelming success. Walking in, the place felt bougie and expensive, modern but with a Japanese flair. Their ramen is just as stylish, boasting quality ingredients and recipes.
The G.K.O. Garlic Knockout is true to its name. As soon as you take a bite, you are hit with a wave of intensely garlicky savoury flavour. However, it is also not too overwhelming and well-balanced in its intensity.
Stick with me on this one, the Duck Matcha ramen is a must-get. You don’t generally hear of matcha as a ramen ingredient, but it works. A creamy chicken broth blended with the subtle, earthy flavour of matcha, topped with slices of tender duck. It's a surprising and harmonious combination that's also incredibly innovative.
📍 Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #03-43 Raffles City, Singapore 179103
📞 Phone: 8380 8467
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 9pm daily
🌐 Website: facebook.com/menshotokyosg
🍴Halal: Not halal
08 • Next Shikaku
I have frequented the busy basement of Westgate many times before noticing this ramen store tucked away in its little corner. Camouflaged in this ever-bustling mall, this restaurant looks unassuming, but their ramen proves otherwise. One of their specialties is the Koeru, a ramen with a creamy and rich broth made from slow-cooked oysters.
Briny, sweet, and incredibly satisfying, a perfect alternative for those who aren’t a fan of pork-based ramen broth that can get quite jelak after a while. I was mildly concerned the oyster would give it a fishy taste but am happy to report the broth was actually really enjoyable. A squeeze of lime really elevated the experience as it balanced out the thickness of the broth.
📍 Address: 3, Gateway Drive, Mall, B1-28 Westgate, 608532
📞 Phone: 6592 5060
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: instagram.com/next.shikaku.sg
🍴 Halal status: Not halal
So, there you have it, a holistic guide to some of the best ramen in Singapore. Each spot offers something unique, so whether you're craving a classic traditional bowl, an innovative concept, or a fiery show, you can find it all in our little red dot.
See you on the road,
Amanda 💙
(Featured photo adapted from: GaijinPot Travel, SG Magazine)
