Next Shikaku

 Located at the basement of Westgate Mall, Next Shikaku is taking Singapore’s ramen scene to the next level.

Hailing from Osaka, their unique concept revolves around oysters, the soul of their broth. The clear soup is made from 100% pure oyster broth, carrying a natural richness with a subtle, pleasant bitterness.

To complete the experience, the noodles are hand-kneaded with a 45% hydration ratio, giving each strand a perfect, satisfying bite.

Menu

The eatery greets diners with a futuristic illuminated screen right at the entrance, a bold contrast from the usual Japanese ramen shop vibe. The restaurant itself is long and narrow, with limited seating, making the experience feel a little more exclusive.

Dining

Their broiled meat sushi strikes a perfect balance, searing just enough to unlock the umami of raw meat, making it comparable to speciality sushi houses.

Meat Sushi - $4.90

Plump, large oysters are freshly fried to golden perfection and served simply with lemon and salt for a clean, briny indulgence.

Fried Oysters - $11.90

The Oyster Tsukemen “Asobu” is another standout on the menu, crafted in collaboration with the renowned Kyoto noodle maker Teigaku. Instead of the usual slender strands, this version features wider, rectangular flat noodles that deliver a more satisfying, chewy bite, almost reminiscent of mee hoon kueh.

Oyster Tsukemen (Asobu) - $22.90

These noodles are designed to soak up the full-bodied dipping broth, which is made from a blend of shrimp kombu water and oysters. The result is a rich, ocean-sweet umami that clings to every strand, making each dip an indulgent, slurp-worthy experience.

Hand Kneaded Flat Noodles

The Oyster Broth “Koeru”, a creation that redefines the ramen experience. Unlike conventional bases, Koeru is built on the pure essence of oysters, blended seamlessly with pork and chicken to achieve a broth that is both bold and refined.

Slow-cooked Oyster Broth (Koeru) - $20.90

The result is a soup with natural oceanic richness, layered with savory depth and a gentle, lingering umami. Paired with hand-kneaded, low-hydration noodles, every mouthful balances silky broth and perfect bite.

The chashu comes as a generous thick-cut slice, thoughtfully balanced with both lean and fatty sections. The lean part is juicy and firm, while the fatty portion ranges from a delicate, jelly-like texture to fully melt-in-your-mouth richness. Lightly seasoned, it allows the natural pork flavor to shine, making each bite deeply satisfying without overpowering the ramen.

Chashu

Next Shikaku
Location: Westgate, 3 Gateway Dr, #B1-28 Singapore 608532

Hitoyoshi Yakiniku

After passing by this place countless times, I finally made my way to Hitoyoshi Yakiniku, and it was totally worth the wait. The curated selection of high-quality meats, expertly grilled over the stove, was an absolute treat. Each bite of tender, flavorful meat was perfectly complemented by fresh accompaniments that elevated the entire experience. Definitely a place worth revisiting for anyone who appreciates top-notch yakiniku!

Hitoyoshi Yakiniku

For beverages, complement your meal with a refreshing drink from their menu, whether it’s the Calpis Selection, a smooth highball, or a chilled beer.

Strawberry Calpis

We had the Premium Beef Set ($188), ideal for 3–4 pax, featuring:

• A5 Wagyu Tartare
• A5 Wagyu Karubi (160g)
• Australian Wagyu Karubi (180g)
• Beef Rib (180g)
• Beef Plate (180g)
• Beef Tongue (170g)
• Seafood Kimchi Soup or Clear Beef Soup
• Nira Tama
• Free flow lettuce & side vegetables

The premium cuts and fresh ingredients made it a delightful feast!

Nira Tama

The A5 Wagyu Tartare was a delight, rich, tender, and perfectly complemented by the crisp chips. 

A5 Wagyu Tartare

Every bite was a burst of flavor and texture!

So yummy

So Good

The beef tongue was thinly sliced, beautifully marbled, and soaked in a flavorful marinade. Each bite was tender with a rich, buttery taste!

Beef Tounge (170g)

It was a fun and interactive grilling experience with my pals! The staff poured a bucket of ice into the BBQ pit and kept it running. We enjoyed the authentic self-service yakiniku, grilling over the stove while chatting with friends.

The platter of meat was a feast for the eyes — just look at that marbling! Each cut looked so enticing:

🥩 A5 Wagyu Karubi (160g)

🥩 Australian Wagyu Karubi (180g)

🥩 Beef Rib (180g)

🥩 Beef Plate (180g)

Grilling these beauties was pure satisfaction!

Plate

We preferred the Clear Beef Soup over the Seafood Kimchi Soup. It had a homely, comforting taste, light yet flavorful, perfect for warming the stomach.

Clear Beef Soup

We enjoyed the free-flow Banchan that comes with every Yakiniku set! Don’t miss their signature sides Tofu in Goma sauce, quail egg, crackers, veggies, potato salad, cabbage with goma, lotus root, beansprouts, and kimchi.

Free Flow Lettuce & Side Vegetables

They offers a memorable dining experience with its delectable selection of BBQ meats cooked right over the stove. 

Stove with smoke

The smoky aroma fills the air as each piece of tender meat is carefully placed on the grill, allowing you to savor its rich, charred flavor.

I Cant Wait Any Longer

The meat is beautifully marbled, ensuring every bite is a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth delight. 

Sauce

Whether it's the well-seasoned cuts of beef, succulent pork, or flavorful chicken, each variety is expertly cooked, giving it that perfect balance of smoky and savory goodness. 

Delicious

The stove-top grilling adds a personal touch to the meal, letting you control the level of doneness, making it a fun, interactive experience.

Grilling

Perfectly complemented with dipping sauces and accompanied by a variety of sides, the BBQ meats at Hitoyoshi Yakiniku are an irresistible treat that promises a satisfying, flavorful meal every time.

Good 

 It’s an ideal place for a cozy meal with friends or family, where the food is as delightful as the atmosphere.

Meat 

The croquette was wonderfully creamy on the inside and fried to a perfect golden crisp.

Croquette

We ended our meal on a sweet note with their popular ice cream selection. You can pick from Matcha, Black Sesame, or Vanilla from Japan. The Black Sesame was velvety, with just the right touch of sweetness.

Sesame Ice Cream

Hitoyoshi Yakiniku
Location: The Rail Mall, 382 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore 678040

Takagi Ramen

It’s that time of the year again—the festive feast season! Takagi Ramen is celebrating with a special Festive Feast Menu for Christmas. We’re here to try their Christmas Smoked Ham and Duck Ramen, along with their festive drinks and more.

A Festive Feast For Christmas from Takagi Ramen

After visiting several Takagi Ramen outlets across Singapore, I noticed their consistent modern Japanese-themed furnishings, paired with comfortable lighting. Individual diners can enjoy their meals at the bar counter, while groups are accommodated at tables. 

Interior 

Embracing technology, they’ve implemented self-service kiosks for added convenience. 

Furnishings

At the Jurong West outlet, where we visited this time, they’ve impressively been operating 24/7 for a long time, making it a reliable spot for ramen cravings any time of the day or night.

From A Corner

Nothing captures the holiday spirit quite like a glass of Jolly Ol’ Eggnog! Rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced, this festive classic delivers all the cosy vibes of the season with every sip. Whether you’re enjoying it solo by the window on a chilly evening or sharing it with loved ones, it’s the ultimate drink for spreading holiday cheer. Here’s to good times, warm memories, and a touch of holiday magic in every glass

This Cranberry Spritzer is a delightful mix of tangy cranberries, fizzy bubbles, and a hint of holiday sweetness, it is refreshing, vibrant, and irresistibly festive. Whether you’re raising a glass to good health, cherished company, or the magic of the season, this drink brings the perfect sparkle to every celebration. Here’s to a season brimming with flavour, joy, and a touch of festive fizz. Cheers!

Festive Cranberry Spritzer & Jolly Ol' Eggnog 

Savoring a bowl of their signature Butashoga Ramen, topped with sweet ginger-braised pulled pork, spring onions, and braised bamboo shoots! A perfect harmony of flavors in every bite

Butashoga Ramen

The smoky richness of the ham pairs beautifully with the tender duck, crafting a festive bowl that’s warm, savory, and utterly satisfying. Each bite brings together the best of Christmas flavors in a delightful and comforting way.

Christmas Smoked Ham & Duck Ramen

Perfect for cozy nights at home or sharing with loved ones, this ramen is sure to become a cherished holiday tradition. 

Smoked Ham and Duck

Craving a bowl of Takagi Ramen without leaving the comfort of your home? Give their Ready-To-Eat Ramen Kit a try! Available in both Spicy and Non-Spicy versions, it's a convenient way to enjoy their delicious flavors anytime.

Ready-To-Eat Ramen Kit - $7.90

Rating: 3.25 / 5

Takagi Ramen (Jurong West)
Location: Blk 492 Jurong West Street 41, #01-74 Singapore 640492
Website

Kinobe by Hive Brothers & Co

Each time I pass by the same coffeeshop, I remind myself to make it a point to try Kinobe. Their menu is simply too enticing to resist. With options like beef, wagyu beef, chicken, duck, pork, and salmon, diners are truly spoilt for choice. To top it off, each protein comes in three different variations, making it even harder to decide!

Stall Front of Kinobe

I finally decided on the Yakiniku Don. It came with fragrant white rice topped with a generous handful of thinly sliced beef, a perfectly runny onsen egg, and buttery, pan-fried mushrooms. A light sprinkle of chili powder added a pop of color and an extra layer of vibrancy to the bowl, making it as visually appealing as it was delicious.

Yakiniku Don - $8

Overall, their set was both tempting and delicious. I’m already looking forward to a return visit to try another item from their enticing menu.

Kinobe 

Location: 727 Clementi West Street 2, #01-294, Singapore 120727

Aburi Kaisen Don Keisuke

Savouring the symphony of flavours in Keisuke selection of delectable seafood delicacies, meticulously arranged over a bed of fluffy rice covered with the velvety scrambled egg. Each bite is a burst of umami, transporting us straight to the vibrant hear of Japan.

Scrambled Egg Rice

While in Keisuke, the dining experience allows us to build our our own egg rice to perfect our bowl by choosing the not only the size of the rice as base but also the amount of ingredients (toppings) on the bowl. They are using premium Japanese short-grain rice, Koshihikari Rice, known for its consistency and aroma.

Choose the Rice Size

Patrons can add their egg rice bowl with any toppings from the below at the indicated price. 

Build your own bowl

Each customer will be handed a ordering slip to indicate their preference on rice and food.

Ordering Slip

While waiting for our delicious egg rice, we can help ourselves with the free flow of beansprouts on the table. 

Beansprouts

Here’s our order with Small Egg Rice (100g) at $7.90 each with the first bowl topped with Pork Chop at $6.90 and  Buta Kakiniku (Braised Pork Belly) at $3.90

Our Orders

The Buta Kakuni, better known as Braised Pork Belly in English was extremely tender and well simmered. This cube liked pork was succulent and gave a melt-in-your-mouth experience, making it a comfortable and luxurious dish. 

Buta Kakiniku (Braised Pork Belly) - $3.90

We had refreshing peach cola and Iced Green Tea (Refillable) for the drinks.

Peach Cola & Ice Green Tea - $4 & $3

What a nice experience! I will like to be back for more!

Aburi Kaisen Don Keisuke
Location: Bugis+, 201 Victoria St, #04-01 Singapore 188067
Website

Hey! Yakiniku

Let's Meat here at Hey! Yakiniku for they offer affordable pricing if you enjoy Yakiniku. They are located in Bugis Junction, therefore a meetup or gathering over a smokeless grill will be convenient. 

Hey! Yakiniku

The restaurant is bright, especially with large glass panels allowing natural lighting into the eatery.

Side Door

The environment was neat and spacious, with brown and black furnishings.

Environment

The Angus Sirloin Steak caught our eyes with its thick and juicy slab on the plate, cut into pieces. Its flavour and juiciness was great. Worth trying if you are a steak lover.

On the other hand, the two pieces of shrimp were succulent, tender and irresistible. We got to taste its freshness.

Angus Sirloin Steak - $21.90 & Wild Caught Shrimps (2 Pcs) - $7.90 

The Signature Hey! Niku Set comes with 5 kinds of meat, Karubi, Prime Karubi, Pork Belly, tontoro and Gyutan. This set is a must try and we love that the karubi is tender and juicy, perfect for grilling on their smokeless grill. You get to have both pork or beef in this set.

 Signature Hey! Niku Set - $29.90

A rice bowl topped with seasoned sautéed vegetables, marinated beef, and a soft-boiled egg, finished with a sprinkle of sesame and a generous dollop of our sweet-spicy-savory Bibinba sauce.

Bibibna - $15.90

Try the Saucy Quartet Karubi Set and get to experience 4 different flavours of sauce all at once: 

- Yakiniku

- Spicy Bulgogi

- Tom Yum

- Sukiyaki

The Set comes with an onsen egg, miso soup, kimchi and 2 kinds of sauces.

Saucy Quartet Karubi Set - $20.90

Piece of Meat

We took the freshly grilled meat and dipped it into an onsen egg. The egg, with its silky, slightly runny yolk and soft whites, envelops the meat in a rich, velvety coating. The combination of the smoky, grilled flavor and the luxurious texture of the onsen egg creates a delightful contrast, enhancing the overall taste. The egg adds a subtle creaminess that balances the bold, savoury notes of the meat, making each bite a truly satisfying and indulgent experience.

Grilled Meat in Egg

The 2 Meat Set we had

Get a Hey! Yakiniku, Let's Meat Reversible Moo! hat for every $60 spent.

Free Hat

If you love having Yakiniku and worry about its smokiness, this is the perfect place for you. Hey! Yakiniku provide a Smokeless grill and they are conveniently located in Bugis Junction. What's more, there is No GST & Service Charge there.

Hey! Yakiniku
Location: Bugis Junction, 80 Middle Rd, #01-92/96 Singapore 188966
Website