Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen – The Authentic Taste of Sapporo Ramen

Sapporo has long been hailed as the birthplace of the famous miso ramen. Helming the kitchen at one-month old Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen is Chef Kanji Fujine who honed his skills at one of Tokyo’s most renowned ramen stores. What makes this ramen stall unique is its focus on Sapporo-style ramen, unlike the usual Kyushu-style ramen you commonly find elsewhere. Furthermore, the chef has ingeniously combined miso with tonkotsu broth and stir-fried it with vegetables in a larded wok to create the distinctive Sapporo style and taste.

Two types of Nishiyama noodles, a signature noodle hand-picked from Hokkaido, are used to bring out the hearty flavour of Men-ichi’s miso broths. You can choose either the thick curly noodle or thin springy noodle. The former brings out the authentic taste of Sapporo ramen while the latter adds another dimension to the Sapporo experience.

Look forward to slurping down the authentic and richly flavoured Sapporo ramen here. We recommend pairing the thick curly noodle with richer broths such as the Sapporo Miso or Miso Tonkotsu. On the other hand, the thin springy noodle is best paired with lighter broths like the Sapporo Shoyu and Sapporo Shio. These noodles are packed in a Japanese cypress wood box – the cypress wood helps retain the moisture of the noodles – before being transported from Japan to Singapore.

Men-ichi’s Signature Tokusen Sapporo Miso Ramen ($19.50) features 2 slices of charsiew, potato wedges, minced meat, onion, egg, bamboo shoots, leek, beansprouts, corn, and seaweed, all soaked in a miso-based pork bone broth. Pork shoulder which is leaner and healthier is used for the char siew here. The char siew is roasted and immersed in sauce, before being cooked sous vide style to produce a sweet porcine taste, while retaining its tenderness. The robust broth is simmered for 12 hours with onions, pork bones, and vegetables.

For those who fancy a fiery kick, go for the Sapporo Spicy Miso Potato Ramen ($17.50 / 1 piece of char siew, $19.50 / 3 pieces of char siew). It’s a spicy version of the previous ramen, made with chef’s special spicy sauce. This is perfect for rainy days.

The broth of the Sapporo Shoyu Ramen ($14.90 / 1 piece of char siew, $16.90 / 3 pieces of char siew) is made by bringing together a carefully selected soy sauce and seafood extracts. Pamper yourself with a perfect union of thin springy noodles and slurp-worthy broth.

The highlight of the Sapporo Shio Ramen ($14.90 / 1 piece of char siew, $16.90 / 3 pieces of char siew) is undoubtedly the salt-based broth which has a thick, sweet and sour taste. The noodles absorb the broth well, and has a wonderful bite. The flavour of the salt-based broth isn’t as strong as the soy sauce-based broth, but it certainly warms the heart and soul.

Besides the Sapporo ramens, which were the star of our meal, we found another hidden gem: the Ebi Miso Tonkotsu Ramen ($16.90 / 2 pieces of char siew, $18.90 / 4 pieces of char siew). The use of fermented soybean paste adds a hint of sweetness and nutty flavour to the slightly creamy broth. This miso-based sweet prawn and pork bone broth is full-bodied, and is best savoured with Men-ichi’s thick noodles.

Diners should most definitely order the Ramen Set, which allows you to choose your desired ramen broth – Sapporo Miso, Sapporo Shoyu, and Sapporo Shio. Pair it with side dishes such as Gyoza ($19.90/set), Tori Karaage ($19.90/set), and Aburi Charsiew ($20.90/set). Each set also comes with a mini corn salad.

If you’re ordering other flavours of ramen, you can also get side dishes like the Hokkaido Crab Cream Croquette ($5.90 for 2 pieces) to go along with your noodles. Boasting a crisp exterior and a creamy interior, we believe this dish will win the hearts of both the young and old.

Men-ichi also serves a range of rice dishes made using the finest crop of Nanatsuboshi rice specially imported from Hokkaido. This rice is resistant to the cold climate, and its premium quality is cultivated through the use of pristine water and fertile soil. Plump and glossy, this Grade A rice is not just an A on its grade card but it will score an A with you too.

With such a good selection of authentic Sapporo ramen at Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Remember to add the special pepper from Japan into your broth! Our favourites are the Ebi Miso Tonkotsu Ramen and Men-ichi’s Signature Tokusen Sapporo Miso Ramen. Give them a try and let us know what you think!

This post was brought to you by Men-ichi Sapporo Ramen.