Mia's Review: Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen

So I was back at Velocity @ Novena Square for my 2nd Clear SK appointment (which I will blog about them in time to come) last Sunday and T still accompanied me down this time even though he couldn't use the car and had to take public transport down with me, plus self-entertain and loiter around the 4 malls (Velocity, Novena Square, Square2, United Square) for 1.5 hours while I'm having my facial done at Clear SK. 

But that also means, dinner here at Velocity/Novena Square/Square 2/United Square! 

And look what T has found!

One of my favourite food, Ramen! 

And this is the Tonkkotsu Kazan Ramen located at Square 2. It was pretty crowded when we got there at about 8 plus, and the small ramen-ya remained pretty packed up until we left at almost 9pm. Pretty popular huh! You'll find out why. 

And this is how small the entire place is. Erm, sorry uncle, I didn't mean to snap a picture of you slurping the hot ramen... 

So T chose a pretty 'usual' Karamiso Kazan while I decided to try something new and went for their Hinomaru Tomato Kazan. And then we were first served these jugs of soup....

Then this intimidating "volcano" ramen is served, dry in the super hot stone pot. The server will then pour in about half of the soup in the jug and close the red lid back on. Then you wait for 1 minute (there's a cute little timer on your table), until you see smoke rising from the top opening of the lid and, and remove the lid, pour the rest of the soup in and viola, you get your kazan ramen done!
I'll definitely advise that you get the staff to help with removing the lid for it'll be VERY hot.

Tadaa~ My Hinomaru Tomato Kazan Ramen,

I think this ramen will be the best choice for ladies, filled to the brim with a huge tomato, tons of cabbage shreds, beansprouts and red capsicums. The pork bone based broth is further 'spiced up' with a tangy flavour from the tomatoes, giving it a lighter and refreshing taste to the usual heavily flavourful ramen tonkotsu broth.
Seriously, I think that all the cabbage and beansprouts combined is twice as much as the noodles inside. Having a ton of beansprouts seemed to be how they do their ramen, so if you dislike beansprouts, please make a special order request to not add them in! It'll be a painfully infinite process if you have to pick them out one by one.

T's Karamiso Kazan Ramen.

The broth was strongly flavourful, yet not spicy at all. So we're both a little disappointed. The charsiu, however, was heavenly! So thoroughly braised, and has the right amount of fattiness to make it tender and soft. I took a bite and it literally like melt apart in my mouth.

Their flavoured egg was pretty disappointing too.
Yes, the yolk was almost perfect with the outside moist and just cooked through while the innermost is glistening gooey, but... where's the braised flavour?! It was pure white throughout on the insides and the surface was only so ever slightly tanned that on first look I thought it was just a soft boiled egg. Taste wise, same thing.
This is just a soft boiled egg sold as a flavoured egg. Period.

Yaki Gyoza.

My first impression when I saw these burnt gyoza was also another mental thumbs-down. But hey, I was surprised when I took a bite! The slightly charred flavour actually added more taste to the gyoza, while the meat filling remains tender and moist.
Failed on the presentation, but passed with flying colours on the actual taste. :)

Tonkotsu Kazan Ramen is located at Novena Square 2 #02-68/69
For more information, visit their FB page HERE

Have you checked out my Christmas Lush Giveaway yet? Drop by HERE to find out how you can win home a Cinders bath bomb and a Snowcake bar!

Till then,
Mia Foo