This restaurant used to be known as IPPUDO x TAO in UE square for a couple of years, but recently it has been rebranded into Hakata Ippudo. They now serve the popular choices of ramen that they offer at Mandarin Gallery’s branch. I have tried Ippudo at Mandarin Gallery many times before, but have not tried UE Square’s. The queue here is significantly shorter and the wait for a table at dinner time on a Saturday was almost non existent.
Deep fried baby crabs – $6.00++
Smoked duck breast – $6.00++
The menu here is pretty extensive and they have many options of appetisers.
These were alright and good for nibbling, but don’t expect anything out of the world. (after all, real ramen shops only sell good ramen and nothing else).
Bonito broth ramen with tamago and extra pork – $23.00++
Akamaru ramen with tamago – $19.00++
The basic ramen (soup, noodles and pork) costs $16.00++. Additional egg is $3.00++ and additional pork is $4.00++.
The akamaru is my all-time favourite order at Ippudo but somehow I felt that Mandarin Gallery’s was better than this outlet’s.
I got to know watching a documentary about Ippudo that they actually tweak the taste of the ramen based on the country or city its store is in – based on the customer’s taste and the availability of ingredients. This explains why Ippudo in New York tasted so different from Ippudo in Osaka!
Nevertheless, it did satisfy my ramen craving and it is still my favourite ramen chain.
*****
Ambiance: 7/10
Food: 8/10
Value: 7.5/10
Overall: It’s still my favourite ramen
****
207 River Valley Road
#01-55/56
UE Square
Singapore 238275
Tel: 6887 5315
*****
Opening Hours :
Mondays to Thursdays 11.30am-3pm (Last order at 2.30pm)
5.30pm to midnight (Last order at 11pm)
Fridays to Saturdays 11.30am-3pm (Last order at 2.30pm)
5.30pm to 2am (Last order at 1am)
Sundays 11.30am to 11pm (Last order at 10pm)
Hungry Bird 