Is this a ramen or la mian shop?
Perhaps a bit of both.
Liu Lang Mian Noodle Bar is newly established at Alexandra Central Mall, serving noodle bowls with some local twist. I mean, salted duck?
However, it may be slightly hard to find as it is located on the side exterior of the mall, and not accessible from the inside.
This 10–15-seater joint is a realisation of Chef Hubert Arnold’s dream after transitioning from his home-based noodle kit business – Soba25.
While Chef Arnold initially handmade his noodles using a basic noodle machine, he has now partnered with a local artisanal noodle supplier to produce noodles based on his recipe.
The inside is done like an old-fashioned Japanese ramen shop, with nostalgic ambiance complemented by vintage posters and simple furnishings.
Its no GST and service charge policy, make it a more appealing spot for various diners.
The noodle bar has expanded its menu beyond its original offerings from Soba25, featuring six noodle options and a variety of side dishes.
Noodle choices include Grilled Duck Soba ($12.80), Lor Bak Soba ($12.80), Truffle Yuzu Soba ($14.80), DBJ Chicken Mazesoba ($11.80), Signature Chilli Soba ($12.80) and Miso Shroom Soba ($11.80).
I found the Grilled Duck Soba ($12.80) rather interesting, incorporating salted vegetable, duck bones, and niboshi (Japanese dried baby sardine).
It was surprisingly rich, complex yet balanced – you get a bit of that savoury-meets-salted vegetable notes – delicate and not overpowering.
Well done on the soup.
The thin whole wheat noodles had a good chewiness. I only thought that the charcoal-grilled duck meat was a tad mushy – just a little.
I actually enjoyed the DBJ Chicken Mazesoba ($11.80) better, a dry-tossed noodle dish with minced chicken and pickled mushroom.
DBJ represents ‘doubanjiang’ (fermented bean sauce) which imparted a rich, savoury, and slightly spicy flavour to the stir-fried minced chicken.
This robust taste was complemented by earthy notes of the pickled mushrooms, adding an interesting depth to the dish.
The onsen egg, with its silky and creamy yolk, lent a luxurious texture, enhancing the overall mouthfeel after mixing it all together.
Side dishes like the Grilled Chicken Wings ($6.80) and Ah Mah’s Ngoh Hiang ($6.80), a popular home-based business’s pork and prawn rolls, complemented the bowls of noodles well.
Prices are reasonable for the quality offered (no taxes!), making it a worthy destination if you are a noodle fan and are around the Alexandra area.
Liu Lang Mian Noodle Bar 流浪面
Alexandra Central #01-03, 321 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159971
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues
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Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo (Capitol Singapore)
Hanamaruken Ramen (Bras Basah Road)
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