Enjoying a delicious and hearty bowl of Japanese Ramen doesn’t mean that you have to make “holes” in your wallets. Gonpachi Ramen, located at Kovan or Hougang, serves wallet-friendly Japanese ramen, with average price between $8 to $10. Gonpachi is located along the same stretch of shophouses, where you can find Nakhon Kitchen and Knuckles.
At Gonpachi, diners can find a wide selection of pork and chicken broth ramen, rice bowls and side dishes at affordable prices. Gonpachi also prides itself to serve only imported ingredients from Japan. This humble store is patronized by families, students and young adults, living in the heartland. Be expected to wait to get a table during the peak time of dinner during weekends.
Signature ramens at Gonpachi include Seven Wonders ($7.80), Miso Kakuni ($7.80) and side dishes - Green Tea Smoked Duck Passion Fruit Vinaigrette ($4) and Crispy Fried Baby Squid ($4).
Seven Wonders ($7.80)
The Seven Wonders Ramen, offers diners to have the best of all worlds - minced chicken, prawns, bamboo shoots, corns, green onions, seaweed, soft boiled egg, served with pork broth and a spoon of thai green chilli paste. At Gonpachi, only one standard type of ramen noodles is served - Thicker wavy yellow ramen.
The pork broth is light and creamy in the aftertaste. What caught our attention was the green chilli paste served on the spoon. This was the first time we saw green chilli being served with a ramen, a rather unique experience. This green chilli is believed to be of Thai-styled and was pretty spicy. Mix your desired amount of the chilli into the broth to increase the taste of the broth.
Overall, the ramen had a pleasurable refreshing taste which goes well with the fragrant broth. Also, the minced chicken was well-marinated and prawns did retain its freshness.
Spicy Miso Ebi ($8.80)
Much similar to the Seven Wonders Ramen, Spicy Miso Ebi Ramen is slightly salty and having a richer taste from the miso broth. Miso, which is derived from fermented soybeans and barley, bring about the aromatic and savoury flavour. The prawns, being the main highlight of the ramen, did not disappoint us as it brought about juiciness and freshness at every bite. Lastly, the ramen noodles were springy and easy to slurp.
Fried Tofu with Togarashi Crumbs ($4)
The Fried Tofu, served in mini cubes, was definitely a perfect side dish to go along with the ramen. The tofu skin was fried to golden, which brought gives it a crunchy taste on the outside and soft on the inside. We enjoyed the addition of togarashi, which provided a rather complex spices to enhance on the flavour of the tofu.
Overall, we were happy for the quality of ramen and broth served at Gonpanchi Ramen. For the price we are paying for, the portion and quality of the ramen have nothing for us to complain about. We will definitely visit Gonpachi Ramen again to explore their other selections of ramen, as well as their interesting fusion of rice bowls.
Gonpachi Ramen
212, Hougang Street 21
#01-329
Singapore 530212
OH:
Sun - Thurs: 11.45 am - 3 pm , 5.30 pm - 10.30 pm
Fri - Sat: 11.45 am - 3 pm, 5.30 pm - 10.45 pm
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