RamenPlay is a collaboration between BreadTalk Group and Sanpou.
Above: Shabu Shabu | Pork with Clear / Kimchi Soup - S$13.90++ | Beef with Clear / Kimchi Soup - S$14.90++
Photos by Florence of Make Your Calories Count
I always feel frustrated, especially during lunchtime, with the limited food offerings around my workplace at ulu industrial area Tai Seng. Thankfully, the F&B outlets at BreadTalk IHQ saved my day!
The well-known RamenPlay has been around in Singapore for quite a while. For those who are not familiar with them, they are a collaboration between BreadTalk Group Limited and Sanpou Co Ltd with decades of experience in the Japanese F&B industry, which targets a wide range of diners from age of 18 to 45 with extensive menu selections.
Its shabu shabu set is a real deal, with an assortment of generous portions of fresh vegetables such as tofu, cabbage and three types of mushrooms (hon shimeji, shiitake & enokitake).
Diners can customise their own meals with a choice of soup base either clear or kimchi; thinly sliced good quality Australian striploin beef or Brazilian pork collar; and choose a staple between premium Niigata Koshihikari rice or thin udon.
The clear soup was cooked by simmering chicken bones and shoyu, which was light and ended on a sweet note. If you have a heavier palate, go for the Korean kimchi soup which carried a mild spice taste that would whet your appetite.
It was a perfect union of flavours when the succulent meat soaked up the soup and dipped into the goma 'sesame' sauce. Accompany that with a few spoons of the fragrant pearly rice!
*Currently available at four restaurants, BreadTalk IHQ (from 5pm onwards), Nex, Jem and Velocity @ Novena Square, and will be introduced at Bedok Mall by June 2015.
Toroniku Uobushi Tonkotsu Ramen | S$11.80++ (3 pcs Toroniku) | S$14.80++ (5 pcs Toroniku)
The bowl itself was piping hot, perhaps to prevent the heat of the ramen from fading away quickly. We were really impressed by their thoughtfulness. One of RamenPlay's best-sellers, this dish serves thin, elastic Kyushu ramen in a heart-warming broth of smoked fish and pork bones. While I enjoyed the greasy, tender seared pork cheeks, the broth lacked a depth of flavour.
Butariki Ishinabe | S$13.80++
This sizzling stone pot rice with pork which uses premium Niigata Koshihikari rice from Japan, complemented with pan-fried and barbecued pork, spring onions, and seaweed, is hard to resist. It was topped with a raw egg and upon service, a special sauce was drizzled down in the stone bowl for an extra boost of flavour.
Bamboo Chicken | S$3.00++ (1 pc) / S$5.80++ (2 pcs)
The chicken flesh was stuffed and grilled to beautiful golden-brown on bamboo sticks. The bamboo imparted a natural sweetness to the chicken flesh and the dish was completed with a dip of egg yolk.
Crispy Dango | S$3.60++ (3 pcs)
Unlike the usual yakitori grilled meatball we usually get, this deep-fried rendition adorned with mayonnaise and plum sauce was a simple pleasure to everyone at the table. Although it was deep-fried, the chicken meatball was crispy and not overly oily, best served as a side dish.
Crispy Chicken Gyoza | S$3.60 (3 pcs) / S$5.80 (5 pcs) Another side delicacy that's worth trying and a must-order at any Japanese restaurant, the chicken gyoza was stuffed with minced meat pan-fried till crisp and finished with a touch of goma sauce. The juicy flesh was starkly juxtaposed with the crispy dough skin, which made every mouthful a joyful munch.
Warabi Matcha Mochi Ice Cream | S$6.80++ a la carte / S$4.80++ with order of any main course It is almost a mantra to feature matcha in any classic Japanese dessert. The matcha ice cream served with azuki beans and chewy mochi dusted with kinako 'roasted soy bean flour'. The ice cream was a bit too milky for my liking and I would prefer it to have stronger matcha taste.
Super Yuzu | S$4.80++
A refreshing beverage to go along with the savoury dishes, concocted with yuzu juice, soda and yuzu pee. There's even an alcoholic version filled with 15% of soju available.
When there's not much good food in your area, you know how blessed you are when you have food that is consistently good at affordable prices!
Overall Verdict: 7.5/10
RamenPlay
#01-03 BreadTalk Mall
30 Tai Seng St
+65 6444 5516
http://www.ramenplay.com.sg/
P.S. Special thanks to RamenPlay for the invitation and hosting us!