After Michelin-star was awarded to Singapore restaurants, restaurants from overseas with this title started swarming Singapore too. Likewise for Jimoto-Ya the latest addition to China Square Central has invited Michelin-starred Chef Nobumasa from Mieda, Hokkaido to whip up a fare of Ebi-Tonkatsu Ramen here.
The restaurant is luxuriously furnished with carefully wooden-craved craft. As such, from the facade, one might decide to walk away due to the classy and expensive vibes emitting. Once you flip through the menu, you will notice that it isn’t that high and mighty after all. The ramen are priced at a very reasonable price.
Before diving into the Ramen, we started with the side dishes. First, we have the Tori Kara-Age ($9.50). I love the crispy bread-like batter on the chicken. Fortunately, they use more thigh meat or rather at least those I picked weren’t breast meat.
Tempura Moriawase ($14) is another Side dish we tried. The batter at Jimoto-Ya is one of the lightest and thinnest too.
Next is the Hokkaido Corn Croquette ($6.50) with creamy and smooth potato mash and abundant of sweet corn in it. As such it is extremely sweet due to the corn. Certainly a great snack to go along with some Sake or Beer.
Lastly, my favourite starters among the 3 we tried, is the Renkon Age ($6.50). It has a nice savoury aroma on the batter that elevated the crunchy root.
Ebi Fried Rice ($15.50) was one of the most ambrosial fried rice I ever had. Jimoto-Ya painstaking cooked the rice in Ebi Broth, next dry it so that each rice remains grainy. Then finally fried and served them to the table.
Now it is time for Rame. We started with the lightest in flavour, Ebi Shio Ramen ($16.50). The ebi scent not only is prominent to the nose but also the palate. It emitted immediately when it touches the palate. When it was served, the first item I notice was the Egg with Runny Yolk. Jimoto-Ya highlighted that they used Japanese Eggs instead of local Eggs. Some may lament that there isn’t Cha Siu, and others may indicate no prawns, instead it offers minced meat in the broth. Personally, I like minced meat, so no complain.
At Jimoto-Ya, they use 2 kind of ramen, a straight and a curly. Straight for the Shio broth and the Cold Ramen so that it could absorb maximum broth and sauce respectively into the ramen.
Ebi Miso Ramen ($16.50) was overpowered by the Miso and in turn was a little too sweet in the overall taste profile.
We skipped the Shoyu since we only have 3 diners. We got the Ebi Curry Ramen ($16.50). Like the Miso rendition, the Ebi flavour was totally masked by the Curry. However, I love the curry scent.
We hardly or rather have not noticed the Cold ramen on Ramen restaurants in Singapore. Hence when Jimoto-Ya highly recommend them, we couldn’t resist trying the Hiyashi Cyuka ($18.50). Strip of Braised Pork, Cabbage and Sakura Shrimp sat on a bed of cold ramen with chilli oil. Squeeze the lemon, next toss them well and now enjoy. The end result was it whet the appetite. If you prefer more refreshing feel and zest, squeeze in more lemon juice. Non-spicy version is available.
Overall, I find the noodle a little similar to our local yellow noodle as it has the akaline taste. Fortunately, it wasn’t as pungent as those served at Machida-Shoten Ramen.
Dessert is always a must no matter how filling we are. We tried both the Hokkaido Cheeze Cake ($4.50) and Chocolate Cake ($4.50). Liking is highly dependent on individual preference. Personally, my choice is the Hokkaido Cheeze Cake.
NAHMJ Verdict
We were suprised that their sides were as good as the Ramen and in fact fare better. Coming to the ramen, for diners who want to enjoy the Ebi flavour, we would highly recommend choose Ebi Shio Ramen.
Jimoto-Ya
3 Pickering Street, Nanking Row, 01-44/01-45, Singapore 48660
Tel:+65 6223 3397
FB: https://www.facebook.com/jimotoyasingapore/
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday 1100 to 1430, 1800 to 2200 | Closed on Sundays
Getting There
By MRT:
- Downtown line – Telok Ayer station, Chinatown station
- North East line – Chinatown station
By Bus:
- Opp Hong Lim Complex along South Bridge Road 61, 80, 145, 166, 197
- Opp Hong Lim Complex along Upper Cross Street 51, 63, 124, 174, 174e, 186, 851, 961, 970
- Hong Lim Park along Pickering Street 186, 970
- Chinatown Point along New Bridge Road 2, 12, 33, 54, 143, 147, 190, CT8, CT18, CT28
- People’s Park Centre along Eu Tong Seng Street 54, 124, 145, 147, 166, 190, 851
- People’s Park Complex along Eu Tong Seng Street 2, 12, 33, 61, 63, 80, 143, 197, 961, 970
Rating: 7/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.