Singapore's Best Ramen, Men-Tei Ramen

It started with Pi (a.k.a. 3.141592654) who asked if I wanted to have lunch somewhere else other than the hawker centers we have gone accustomed to. I already had an answer before she asked and she already had a place in mind before asking. So we marched towards Robinson Road past the DBS towers and the Afro-Asia building. Along the way she warned me that the cost of the food would be higher than the usual hawker center budget but she also assured me that it was well worth it.

There were about five people ahead of the queue when we got there. There was a marker to show people where to line up and to make sure they didn't get in the way of passersby. It turns out people start queuing as early as 12:00 so it would be wise to either be there for an early lunch at 11:30 a.m. or have a heavy breakfast and be there by 1 p.m. At a few minutes before one o'clock, our timing was just right.

That day on my first try at the noodle hut, I had the Miso. My initial taste of the rich and creamy soup was enough to convince me that my $13 was well spent. I made sure that my next spoonfuls stayed in my mouth long enough for my tongue to savor the wonderful flavor before swallowing. The noodle was another delightful experience; it must be the potent combination of the unique taste and the right texture. Surely, the posters citing the preparations their food underwent were not just for show.

How could I not trust Pi's judgment when it comes to food after that? Not only was her choice a good respite from the all too familiar taste we had enough of, it was such a wonderful treat to the palate as well. And for those who like bonuses: the bottomless green tea and the good service provided by the staff ensure you find the whole dining experience enjoyable.

It was my turn to bring a friend there a few days after that. The Tonkotsu was also remarkable -- different taste, same delight. Since then, I have been to Men-Tei Ramen several times and the Miso and the Tonkotsu remain my favorites.

And yes, after having tried several other Ramen houses, I make the bold statement that Men-Tei Ramen serves the best in town.

Located at 61 Robinson Road (see map below), Men-Tei Ramen is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays. Here's their website: http://www.men-tei.com