Ramen lovers rejoice, for Singapore’s one and only ramen event is back for seconds!
At Ramen Revolution 2018, you can expect to tuck into limited-edition bowls from your favourite ramen stores in Singapore. Also, be the first Singaporeans to taste the tantalising creations of two Japan-based ramen stores, Junk Story from Osaka and Men Dokoro Wakamusha from Saitama, as they will be flying down — for the first time — to join us for this satisfying three-day event.
Situated at Resorts World Sentosa from 27th-29th July 2018, you can also look forward to live J-pop music, other exciting performances and back by popular demand, a speed-eating competition featuring Chao Chao Gyoza, NISSIN and Kokoro Ramen.
This is a cash-only event but fret not, for bowls start from just $10 instead of your usual wallet-pinching $20-$30 meals at ramen restaurants.
Here is a sneak peek of what a few of the participating ramen stores has to offer at this sumptuous fair.
**DISCLAIMER: All prices stated here are event-special prices.
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Sold only at the Ramen Revolution by Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is their Tantanmen. Inspired by the Chinese dan dan noodles, the Tantanmen has a unique peanutty taste infused in its delectable pork-bone broth served with a dash of chilli oil. This mouth-watering combination is paired with eggy noodles and served with — you wouldn’t believe it — mincemeat and peanuts.
This is a wonderful Japanese twist of the typical Singaporean Bak Chor Mee, resulting in a delicious collision of flavours and cuisines. The broth is nothing like you would ever have tasted before as it is mixed with sesame paste, a growing trend in many ramen stores in Japan as well!
If you prefer a milder-tasting ramen, Santouka’s signature Shio Ramen will be perfect for you. Don’t be fooled by its plain appearance, this ramen brings “comfort food” to a whole new level as its milky, delicate pork bone base actually undergoes a tedious 20 hours of simmering before it slips down your throat. It is lightly seasoned with just the right amount of salt, packing a flavourful punch.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have Santouka’s Spicy Miso Ramen. Don’t let its striking red appearance scare you away, a taste of it would tell you that the chilli oil is pretty much harmless. Its spices add a little more excitement into the mix, boosting its flavour without giving you the painful burn that leaves you grasping for milk like the Korean spicy noodles does. The melt-in-your-mouth pork slice coupled with the exotic taste of the broth and springy noodles makes Santouka’s Spicy Miso Ramen downright heavenly.
This, together with the refreshing Matcha Latte was a winning combination. Made with authentic matcha powder and Hokkaido milk, the Matcha Latte will surely be your go-to drink at the Ramen Revolution 2018 as it would be an outdoor event in our sunny island.
ALLERGY ALERT: Do note that the Tantanmen contains peanuts and unlike the Shio and Spicy Miso ramen, consists of mincemeat rather Cha shu.
SURVIVAL TIP: Start with the Shio ramen if you are intending to try all three bowls. The strong flavours of the other two bowls would overpower the aromatic Shio broth, making it taste like plain water if you have them before the Shio Ramen!
Ramen Bar Suzuki
They weren’t joking when they named their event special bowl the Extreme Black Tonkotsu Ramen. Everything in the bowl was black — even their springy handmade noodles. The squid ink, which explains to colour of the broth, was well incorporated as there was no pungent fishy smell or taste at all. Also contributing to the black colour is bamboo charcoal, which is said to aid with detoxing thanks to the minerals found in the activated charcoal.
Similar to the typical Tonkotsu ramen, this bowl has bamboo shoots and the mandatory pork slice. However, topping it all was an intimidating pile of black-coloured minced meat… which turned out to be the highlight of the whole bowl with its tender and fragrant flavour. A squirt of ginger paste was also included, balancing the saltiness of the light broth.
SURVIVAL TIP: Do not, I repeat, do not wear white. Even if you do not intend on buying this bowl, chances are noodle-slurping ramen-enthusiasts would be lurking at every corner, armed with the Extreme Black Tonkotsu Ramen.
Ebi-Tori Menzo
The first thing that will hit you when a steaming bowl of Ebi-Tori Menzo’s Shio Chicken Ramen is placed before you is the smell of the aromatic chicken broth. Seasoned lightly while maintaining a great depth of flavour, the warm chicken base complements the thick, bouncy noodles and the generous slice of Cha shu perfectly. The bowl was also beautifully presented with crispy sweet potato slices accompanying the ramen, adding a little crunchy excitement to this simple dish.
If your palate craves something a little saucier, try Ebi-Tori’s event special: the Ebi Tsukemen Signature. Their popular Italian-inspired shrimp base Tsukemen broth is made with fresh whole shrimp, resulting in a thick, smooth texture that is absolutely to die for. The best part? Your meal does not end when you finish the noodles and the remaining Tsukemen broth, too salty to have on its own, will not have to go to waste!
You will be blessed with a small serving of warm rice and milk mixture to be combined with the leftover glorious shrimp base to create a porridge-like dessert — the perfect end to your meal.
Ebi-Tori also serves up a mean Ebi-mazesoba. Served with the same shrimp base, this bowl reminds me of Zha Jiang Mian (or jajangmyeon that you see in Korean dramas). It is slightly zestier and spicier than the Tsukemen, with an unexpected mix of peanuts, seaweed and chopped tomato — sounds weird but it somehow integrated perfectly with the rest of the ingredients — and topped with a soft-boiled egg on top. If you wanted something more intriguing yet simple to eat, this is the bowl for you!
ALLERGY ALERT: For those allergic to seafood, you should, unfortunately, forgo the extremely mouth-watering Tsukemen and Mazesoba. Also, do note that there are peanuts in the Mazesoba.
SURVIVAL TIP: To eat Tsukemen the right way, dip your cold noodles in the shrimp base instead of pouring the whole bowl into your noodles. Remember to keep some of that delicious thick broth for your porridge!
If you were present at last year’s Ramen Revolution (and loved it!), you have to attend this year’s bigger and better one! These are just seven out of the many other creative and delectable ramen bowls you can expect at the fair. Of course, if you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of desserts for you to sink your teeth into as well — at a very affordable price.
NISSIN will also be selling their new series of instant ramen noodles created in collaboration with Keisuke just in case you want to bring a taste of the Ramen Revolution home with you.
See you at the Ramen Revolution 2018!
Venue: Resorts World Sentosa Forum B1
Date & Time: 27 – 29 July 2018 (Fri 5pm – 10pm; Sat & Sun 11am – 9pm)
By Rachel Lim
