Friday, March 28, 2008
Food Blog: Ramen Santouka @ Central
Behind those mystifying Japanese curtains hidden in a corner, is this Hokkaido-style ramen chain, Santouka. It is in fact a 20-year-old brand with 50 outlets in Japan. It specialises in chasu (roasted pork), shio ramen (ramen in salt-flavoured broth) and miso ramen
The place isnt very big (Japanese standards). The interior is quite simple, looks like any ramen restaurant in Japan, just that it's abit brighter. There's no counter seats too. That is just for serving ramen. And besides the usual greetings of "irrashaimase" when I stepped in, the manager who is a Japanese is very observant and thoughtful. Seeing that I've a bag with me, she quickly pass me a basket to put my stuffs when we were sitting down
The three of us ordered Shoyu and Miso Ramen with additions of Komi Tamago and Tokusen Toroniku as sides
The Toroniku (is roasted cheeks from the pig's head) are really tender, with the gelatinous layer of fat melting like savoury butter when placed into your mouth. How divinely it tasted but kinda salty. However, the Toroniku is limited to 60 bowls a day only due to the limited quantity of pork cheeks. Have to go early in case you guys are missing out something good - At least try once. heh
They have four soup bases, namely - Miso (Soyabean), Shoyu (Soy Sauce), Shio (Salt) and Kara-Miso (Spicy Soyabean). The spicy one looks pretty interesting but due to a weak stomach I have, dun really want to risk taking it in case I've to roll all the way back. tsktsk
I am not quite a ramen-ista to ascertain if the ramen is really that oishii but look at the thick broth! It's rather salty, oily and intimidating, even though it is quite tasty. On the other hand, the noodles is really very great. It is so chewy and bouncy! Sluuuuuuuuurp!
The charsu on the other hand looks a lil' thick, rough and fatty but once it touches your mouth, it is chewily-soft and the flavours burst right into your mouth while it melts. And we spotted one extremely fatty charsu (different from the usuals) which we rumoured to be the pork ribs. Another complaint is that we find the meat salty too
We were hopping that the tamago will make us go 'oooooooooishii'. Then again, it was pretty disappointing as it was not up to our standards. hahah. We are the eggy-ista =P
I actually quite like the atmosphere. It isnt pretentious. Feels like a nice cozy little corner to hang out with some friends. Furthermore, you can have an overview of Clark Quay
Will definitely go back for their noodles and probably the pig's cheeks. Not too often though for fear of going to dialysis centres =P
Till then.. I will go hunt for more ramen stores =)
Sidetrack: The saltiness may be how they hawk their Hokkaido ramen. Not sure bout it, will report when I set my foot on Hokkaido. hehe
Labels: Central, Food - Japanese
11:48 PM
Friday, February 15, 2008
Photo Galore & Food Blog: Ma Maison at The Central
Ma Maison, serves Japanese-style Western food, is done up to look like an English cottage – Behind those menacing entrance is a dining interior exuding a very rustic old school charm, very quaint and homely. The decorations are all wooden, from floor to tables to wall. Windows are fringed with floral curtains. There's even wooden racks on which plates and crockery and bottles are neatly arranged as though it were a real kitchen in someone’s home!
Atmosphere is pretty quiet and peaceful which further enhanced the coziness. It's pretty sceneric too with the views of Clark Quay and Singapore River. With the vintage lamps and the tea like candle lighted up, it feels even more homely, making the place perhaps even more so romantic. Love the ambience - Dark and intimate! =P
People already started queuing way before it's open
Western feel
The green cupboard is for safekeepings of belongings of the staff. Cool!
Jap feel
Assorted Sausages - Interesting and yuuuuumy
Rose Wine
Beef Stroganov Omurice
For the omu rice, in accordance from the friend, was very tasty - The omlette texture was fair and the butter rice was pretty fragrance as well. The disappointment came from the beef stroganov - Pretty hard, probably overcooked but the bite size was alright. As for the sauce, it was too salty to the friend's liking, yet with compliment of the mushroom, the food was satisfactory
Sizzling Hamburger Steak
I specifically came for its famed hamburger steak. When the sizzling pan was served, the waiter demonstrated his competency. Actually there's a video of the whole process but due to the unglamourous, unpleasant censored act of yours truely, the idea of publishing it was brushed off =P The beef patty was nicely grounded and finely grilled; soft. With the brown sauce draped over it, the patty was certainly very enriching though it maybe quite salty at times. Best of all, it topped up with a round sunny sunset (My favourite! Never sick) heh
Brownie
The dessert came with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and conscientiously decorated chocolate sauce. The warm, moist brownie paired with the cold vanilla ice-cream is definitely the perfect complement for each other
After slurping up all the food, what appears to be a large and heavy brass key is placed on every table. The key is labelled with a corresponding table number so that when diners are done, they could bring this key over to the counter to make payment. A decent and cheery end to the homely feeling. heh
Besides the food (interesting and slight above average), the service was commentable. The staffs are very courteous, friendly and polite, very classic Japanese style
Mai Maison is located in Parco Bugis and The Central. Suggest that you guys may want to make a reservation before going down as it's usually quite packed. Sidetrack: My photos are quite bright because I went at around 1800hrs to try my luck as reservations was full for that day. As the sky darkens, the ambience is definitely a score point
- End
Kinda lethagic after the meal so whatever had happened was pretty slow-paced. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable sitting at a side looking at the kite-fliers, awed by their kites' amazement, ablility to fly behind the clouds; with the constant breeze blowing at your face. That kinda life I wanna live - Slack and carefree with nothing to worry. Company was awesome, comfortable =)
p/s: I think the next time I will just post peeeeektures lah. To just type out the descriptions and the taste and the aftermaths of everything is just so painstaking tedious - My vocabulary is limited lah. Therefore, I have concluded, I will do with a photoblog instead =P
Labels: Central, Food - Fusion (Japanese Western)
1:03 AM
