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With Chef Yoshi
Menya Sanji is my favourite ramen restaurant. I discovered this restaurant by chance and fell in love with it. The name Menya Sanji is defined as three warriors, hence huge paintings of warriors adorn the walls of this humble ramen restaurant. Menya Sanji reminds me of traditional ramen shops in Japan, that are cosy and have limited seating. The restaurant can seat only about 18 people and during lunch-time, it is always teeming with diners, particularly office workers.
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The interior
This 3-year old restaurant started in Kagoshima and over the years, it has established branches in Taiwan, Tokyo and Guam. Kagoshima is Kyushu’s southernmost major city and is the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture.
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Soya milk tan tan ramen
Menya Sanji’s soya milk tan tan ramen ($14.90++), is the most delicious ramen I’ve ever tasted. In fact, it is so addictive that I have gone back thrice this month to savour it. The broth is meticulously prepared with pork bones and soya milk. Chilli oil, minced pork and sesame are then added to give it a spicy, robust and irresistible taste. The lovely marriage of different flavours work well together, resulting in well balanced flavours. If you like the taste of sesame, you can grind the sesame seeds and add the grounded sesame seeds into the soup to enhance the flavour and give it a nutty texture.
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Signature Sanji ramen
Another popular choice is the signature Sanji ramen ($11.50++) which is similar to the Hakata-style ramen. This ramen is cooked in a pork broth and topped with bean sprouts, fried onion, spring onion, black fungus, menma (Japanese condiment made from lactate-fermented bamboo shoots), roast pork belly and shoulder and half boiled egg with soya sauce). The soup is tasty, yet non-oily as I have heard that chef uses pig’s head to boil the soup.
In addition to the soup, Sanji uses medium thick ramen which is springy, bouncy and retains a good bite.
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Pan-fried gyoza
If ramen is not substantial to satisfy your appetite, try the gyoza (5 for $6++, 10 for $11++) which is pan-fried to a golden brown hue. The skin is perfectly crisp and the interior is generously filled with tantalising and juicy minced pork. Each morsel is a burst of delightful goodness.
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The entrance
Menya Sanji is located at Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Street, #01-14, Singapore 078867. For enquiries, please call 6604 8891. For more information, please visit here.