Konjiki Hototogisu
You may have eaten ramen before, but have you tried oyster ramen yet?
Konjiki Hototogisu is shaking up the Japanese ramen’s scene with their new oyster ramens at their new ramen outlet in Great World City Shopping Centre. They had decided to open a second outlet after the resounding success of their first ramen outlet at CHIJMES.
Recently, Konjiki Hototogisu has been awarded the coveted One Michelin Star in Tokyo Michelin Guide 2019. It is another milestone for this 4-time Tokyo Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, founded by Michelin-starred Chef Atsushi Yamamoto.
The Man behind the Ramen
We had a chance to meet Chef Yamamoto that evening during the grand opening of the new restaurant. He has specially flown in from Japan to prepare and curate the new menu featuring his oyster ramen creations.
The Golden Cuckoo
The name of the store collectively translates as “golden cuckoo”, and Chef Yamamoto revealed why he gave his ramen shop such a distinctive name. He hopes that his ramen would one day emerge as a rare gem.
You can locate this new ramen restaurant in the newer section of the mall, closer to the business tower. Some parts of the mall are under renovation so it might take quite a while to figure out its exact location.
Their Must-try Oyster Ramens
The oyster ramen is available in two iterations: Oyster Shio Ramen (clear soup based) and Oyster Paitan ramen (creamy soup based). Both oyster ramens are only available exclusively at their Great World City outlet.
To cook this seemingly simple comfort food is easy; but to make a delicious bowl of ramen that makes everyone go ‘Oishi’ is another thing altogether.
The three important elements of ramen are the soup base, noodles and Cha Shu (pork slices). All three components must be well-crafted in order to produce that one ‘heavenly’ bowl of ramen.
The ‘Oy-shi’ Experience
In my opinion, their oyster ramen trumps all the other ramens they offer at their outlet. Hence, they are must-try items on the menu.
Oyster Paitan Ramen
Each bowl of oyster ramen is topped with oyster oil, oyster paste, roasted corn, arugula (rocket leaves), black pepper, onions, Aburi lemon slice, housemade dried tomato and Cha Siu (pork) slices.
How to enjoy Chef Yamamoto’s Oyster Paitan Ramen?
Firstly, take a sip of the creamy Miso Oyster soup to taste the soup base. Secondly, drink the soup with the spicy black pepper and sweet onions. Thirdly, have a taste of the oyster oil-infused consommé. Lastly, have a taste of their original oyster paste together with the soup. And this is how you ‘tackle’ a bowl of Michelin-star ramen.
Miso Soup Base
The original light oyster consommé is mixed with Miso (produced in the Nagano Prefecture) to give a more robust flavour to the soup.
This miso oyster soup base is exceptionally rich, creamy and savoury. You can savour different layers of flavour which produce that burst of umami flavour with every sip of the broth. I love the addition of roasted corns which lends sweetness to the broth itself.
The taste of the broth is well-balanced. In my opinion, it suits the Singaporean palate as it is not too salty like the ramen I had in Japan. In addition, each bowl of ramen has the right portion of noodles – just enough to fill me up.
Thankfully, the soup contains no MSG so you will not suffer from any post-MSG effects.
Whole-grain Noodles
I am certain that the Health Promotion Board in Singapore will give a stamp of approval when it comes to any whole grain food. Eat healthily so that you can live longer to enjoy more delicious ramen!
The wholegrain noodles are made using a high-quality flour called Haru-yo-koi which is sourced from Hokkaido. This special flour gives the noodle that chewy and firm bite.
Low Temperature (Sous Vide) Cha Shu
The Cha Shu slices are marinated with their own special seasoning and cooked slowly under low temperatures.
Their thinly-sliced Cha Shu tasted like dry-cured ham. It is perhaps a healthier form of Cha Shu as they use the pork shoulders which is lesser in fat content as compared to the belly.
Oyster Shio Ramen
The Oyster Shio ramen has a different set of toppings. It has the oyster paste, oyster oil, arugula, scallions, red onions, roasted paprika, garlic lemon butter and parsley flakes.
I enjoyed both oyster ramens. But if I were to pick a favourite, it will have to be their Oyster Shio Ramen as I taste the subtlety of the original oyster broth. The original broth has a simpler and more refined taste as compared to the miso oyster broth.
How to enjoy a bowl of oyster Shio Ramen?
Firstly, drink the pure oyster consommé. Secondly, try their original oyster oil with the soup. Thirdly, mix some of the oyster paste. Lastly, have a sip of the fragrant garlic lemon butter-infused soup with parsley.
Everything that has butter in it tastes extra fragrant, don’t you think?
I also love the touch of scallions, onions and garlic lemon butter which rounds up the savoury taste of the oyster-based broth.
Scallions
Red Onions
Garlic lemon butter with Parsley
Oyster Paste
This bowl of ramen is mouth-wateringly good!
Side Dishes and Beverages
Fancy to have some side dishes or beverages to go along with your ramen?
Oyster Chawanmushi
If you love seafood and oysters, their oyster chawanmushi will satisfy your seafood cravings.
Milk Pudding from Japan
If you need a dessert to end your meal on a sweet note, you can try their milk pudding which is imported from Japan. It is the most ‘bouncy’ jelly-like pudding I’ve tried in my life.
Hot Yuzu Tea
Complete your meal with some hot yuzu tea! I enjoyed their version of yuzu tea because of the real citrusy yuzu bits which are added in it. It is very refreshing indeed.
Verdict
I’m pleasantly surprised by the complexity of flavours in the ramen oyster broth which has left me craving for me. This is a ramen restaurant which I will revisit with my family and friends.
It is considered to be rather affordable for a very good bowl of ramen.
Each bowl of the oyster ramen costs $15.90.
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Hototogisu Ramen
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Great World City, #01-143, Singapore
