Konjiki Hototogisu 金色不如帰 @ CWP (Closed)

Konijiki Hototogisu belongs to a new breed of ramen shops from Japan, where they are bold to challenge the norm in terms of tastes and combination.

Ramen has long been considered just a cheap eat, feeding the masses one bowl at a time. However, in the past decade, there has been quite a shift in the approach of ramen by a number of restaurants. Instead of making large quantities of soup with relatively cheap ingredients to serve as many customers as possible, chefs have begun seeking out high quality ingredients to create the best possible ramen they can serve.

Konjiki Hototogisu 金色不如帰 makes its own noodles by using Haru-Yo-Koi, a Hokkaido-grown flour directly imported from Japan. This top quality flour produces the firm and aromatic noodles for its ramen. What’s unique is that every Hototogisu outlet in Singapore features a different series and specialisation of ramen. And its CWP store features a Thai-inspired Sawara Oriental ramen that is lemony and spicy like tom yam. No thank you.

Super Black Spicy Ramen

I tried the Black Spicy Ramen the last time I was here. Now I will challenge the Super version! And yes, I am crying from the spiciness. The whole shop turned around when I coughed non-stop as I attempted to slurp up the ramen and soup as if I was in Japan. The chilli got me off guard and I broke out coughing. Not recommended during the Covid-19 pandemic to try this stunt. You have been warned – this is one spicy ramen, much worse than the Volcano ramen I had in HK.

Tonkotsu Smoked Pepper Ramen

The slight peppery broth makes it almost like Teochew bak kut teh but not in an enjoyable way. Interesting combination but it’s not an improvement on their original tonkotsu broth. And it’s pretty watered down in this instance as well. What’re those burnt pieces of leeks doing in the soup?

And with the lunch special, you get to choose a side, and what’s the standard sides for ramen? Gyoza. Quick standard with the typical wanton skin filled with pork and scallions.

Konjiki Hototogisu 金色不如帰 Causeway Point
#02-09C, 1 Woodlands Square, Singapore 738099
Tel : 6219 5792

Date Visited : Aug 2020

Michelin Tokyo Guide – Bib Gourmand 2015-2018, 1 Star 2019-2020