It does seem that Grantral Mall @ MacPherson is probably the development within Tai Seng that has brought the neighbourhood to life — this is especially so after the coach operators from Golden Mile Complex had moved into the building after Golden Mile Complex was vacated after the en-bloc sale. While the first tenants of the mall has already moved in for quite some time (we have also given multiple tenants there a visit by now), it does seem that most of the empty shop spaces have been taken up at this current juncture — the last few being likely to open their doors fairly soon now that those tenants are carrying our renovation works to their respective spaces. One of the newer additions to the mall would be Yokohama Ramen; this is one tenant that occupied a shop space that is only accessible from the perimeters of the mall. In fact, Yokohama Ramen should be fairly easy to spot, considering the shop unit that it takes up is actually quite near to the main entrance of the mall that faces the junction of Upper Paya Lebar Road and MacPherson Road. Being an establishment that is mostly focused on their Japanese ramen offerings, the interior of the shop is decked with mostly wooden furniture and fittings that exude somewhat of a Japanese flair to it; the dine-in seating consisting of both booth seating as well as normal dining tables and chairs. The menu at Yokohama Ramen mainly is segregated into sections dedicated to Ramen and rice bowls; there also a small variety of ala-carte sides that one can choose to go for as well. Beverages listed in the menu include a variety of canned drinks, as well as hot green tea.

Not listed in its printed menu, but could be found in the online POS system that one can access by scanning a QR code would be the Awase Ramen. Yokohama Ramen allows patrons to make an order via the online POS system, while only collecting payment at the counter once the patron has finished their meal. Just like some Japanese ramen shops elsewhere, Yokohama Ramen does actually serve up hard-boiled noodles eggs on the side which are complimentary — patrons can request for more if they so wish to. Yokohama Ramen does not quite describe the type of broth that the Awase Ramen features, though we did manage to find out from Google that Awase Ramen typically features a broth comprising of salt, soy sauce and Miso; the folks also mentioned that the Awase Ramen would be the one to go for if one would prefer lighter tasting ramens in general pertaining to an enquiry that another patron had with the item. The menu, however, did describe the Awase Ramen to come with two (2) pieces of Char Shu, and one piece (or if some may, half) of soft-boiled egg. Other toppings that we found in our order of the Awase Ramen included bamboo shoots, black fungus, spring onions and sprinkle of sesame seeds over the top. A bowl of rice also comes with the Awase Ramen as well; something that was not mentioned in the menu.

Going for the broth first, we did find this to be in tune with what the staff had informed the patron about; perhaps it is due to the elements that it comprises of, the broth turned out to be less jelak than the usual Japanese Ramen with Tonktotsu broth that we are more used to — this makes the entire bowl of ramen quite easy to have at least for us. Digging into the bowl, it seems that Yokohama Ramen has used the Hakata-style ramen noodles for the Awase Ramen; the noodles are being done on the harder side so as to achieve quite a fair bit of bite which we are also more fond of. The Char Shu here seems to have used strips of pork belly; these were savoury without carrying a nasty stench of porkiness — there is also a smoky note, not to mention that the cut seems to consist of both fatty and lean parts of a contrast of textures. The marinated bamboo shoots seems to carry a slightly heavier note of soy sauce than one would have expected, though they still provide for the soft crunch that is typical for the element; the black fungus also adding a bouncy chew at the same time. The soft-boiled egg turns out to be marinated egg with a molten lava yolk; one that is also marinated in soy sauce for a savoury note that brings a light umami flavour. We reckon the bowl of rice is to be added into the remaining broth when one is done having everything that is in the bowl of noodles; a vehicle to soak up all of that goodness of the broth so they one down enjoy the broth’s light and umami note on its own.

We opted to go for the set, which allowed us to add one side of a reduced portion from the Ala-carte section of the menu and a canned beverage of our choice — the side of a went for would be the Gyoza. Coming in a portion of three (3) pieces, these weren’t particularly out-of-this-world but were decent to have; crisp edges and bottom whilst coming with a reasonably portion of meat — they also come accompanied with light soy sauce that one can dip them into for more flavour. With the number of establishments serving up Japanese Ramen all across the island, Yokhama Ramen does feel like the typical individually-run ramen shops that can be found all across the island that served up a very respectable bowl of Japanese ramen that would resolve one’s craving for it at the bare minimum even for those with a discerning taste bud. Prices of the ramen offerings at Yokohama Ramen starts from $8.90 to $16.90; the lowest-priced ramen being the Maze Soba, and the priciest would be the Spicy Miso Chashu Ramen that comes with a whopping four (4) pieces of Chashu. For the rice dishes, the prices would range between $8.90 to $10.90. Considering the lack of individually-run Japanese Ramen establishments within the MacPherson / Tai Seng neighbourhood; and especially so at the side where Grantral Mall @ MacPherson is, Yokohama Ramen does make a for a good dining choice to consider when around the area.