一风堂, Ippudo Shiromaru (since 1985)

At Ippudo, we were asked to select the hardness of our noodles when some ramen stall serves them too hard for our likings. The original creamy tonkotsu broth was none too salty too, generous serving of thin and straight noodles of medium hardness, pork belly and pork loin, cabbage, black fungus and spring onions. It was a classic Hakata-style ramen.

But Japanese tonkotsu is beginning to taste all the same to us. All good, but no more surprises. Unless you opted for their tonkotsu broth enhanced with miso paste, fragrant oil, Kyushu soy sauce, or their spicy tantan chili paste. Yet we believe in the original.

In celebration of Ippudo's 6th anniversary in conjunction with Singapore's 51st National Day, we had their signature Shiromaru ramen at $10++.

白丸元味, Shiromaru Motoaji ($15++)