How does a steaming bowl of Ramen or a packed bowl of Donburi for under $10 sound to you?
Over in Japan, ramen and donburi are casual meals for the every day man. Here, they are often taken up a notch and made fancier. Of course, it comes with a bigger price tag.
At Menya Aoi, cheap and affordable Ramen, and even Donburi, is not a pipe dream.
Menya Aoi’s first outlet is now at United Square with a second at Shaw Plaza, with perhaps more outlet to come.
For now, soak in the vibes of the open kitchen and wood-toned décor, reminiscent of a diner right in Osaka.
Here, the dining experience begins even before the main course arrives, with complimentary beansprouts (reminiscent of nKeisuke Ramem), setting a positive tone for what lies ahead.
The Tonkotsu Ramen ($10.90 onwards), one of the highlights of the menu, features a well-coordinated ensemble of chashu, aji tamago, seaweed, and black fungus.
The classic milky white soup base is created from boiling pork bones for hours, releasing their flavour and gelatine.
The soup, however, leaned towards the saltier side, something that might not align with everyone’s taste preferences but might be appreciated by those who enjoy a bolder flavor profile.
For garlic enthusiasts, Menya Aoi’s Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen ($11.90) is another option.
The broth was flavourful though the garlic-infused broth could have been more robust and aromatic to make this stand out from its competition.
The noodles in this dish were served thin and long similarly, providing a pleasing bite that complements the strong flavors of the broth.
I also had the Shogayaki Ramen ($12.90 onwards) with combination of tender pork slices stir-fried in a savory ginger sauce.
While one might wish for a creamier soup base, the generous portion sizes ensure that it represents good value for the price.
The Shoyu Ramen ($8.90) is as simple as it gets. Its soy sauce-based soup base is light and clean, made to complement the thick curly noodles and charred pork belly.
Over on the rice side, a Chashu Don ($6.90) comes with pieces of flavourful chashu and an ajitamago on a bed of Japanese pearl rice. For what it is, this is a total steal at its price.
Do the Chicken Teriyaki ($9.90) if you prefer. On the rice sits a thick piece of chicken thigh, basted in sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce. Oh, and you get an ajitamago too.
There is also a number of equally inexpensive sides for you to indulge in. From the fryer comes Deep Fried Gyoza ($3.69, $6.80), a good pairing with chilli oil vinegar.
The Tori Karaage ($3, $5.90) is a simple, straight-forward pleasure with a squeeze of lemon and dipped in mayonnaise.
There is also the Mapo Tofu ($5.90). This rendition might not align with the traditional approach, but it stands as a not bad complement to the overall meal.
When it comes to Japanese cuisine in Singapore, Menya Aoi might just pleasantly surprise you even at its low price point.
Menya Aoi – Novena
United Square Shopping Mall B1-04/05, 101 Thomson Road, Singapore 307591
Opening Hours: 10am – 8:30pm (Mon – Fri), 9am – 9pm (Sat – Sun)
Menya Aoi – Balester
Shaw Plaza #02-17, 354 Balestier Rd, Singapore 329781
Opening Hours: 11am – 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
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Hanamaruken Ramen (Bras Basah Road)
Menbaka Ramen (The Centrepoint)
Bariuma Ramen (Novena)
Kanshoku Ramen (Raffles City)
* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
