Singapore Food Blog - Sanpoutei Ramen 三宝亭

Location: Holland Village, Singapore

Recommended: W Soup Tonkutsu Ramen (SGD17)

After Hatched, this was the second time I visited Holland Village for lunch, and unlike the last, this was a ramen shop. It was recommended as our destination for a get together, and off we went to visit my latest ramen experience.

It wasn't difficult to locate the Sanpoutei Ramen, its distinctively Japanese shop front gave itself away with bamboo decors, its name in gold emblazoned across carbon black backgrounds. Its interior, though small and packed, was likewise decorated, immersing diners in an atmosphere as close to Japanese as they can muster.

Sanpoutei Ramen, from Niigata since 1967. Quite a history.

Seated in our allocated places, we were presented with a concise menu simplified to 4 ramen choices, with the rest of the menu varieties of beverages, desserts and light snacks, none of which were the focus of our visit. Remembering my positive Tonkotsu ramen experience with Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King,

Here is Niigata (新潟市) in case you are wondering...

I ordered W Soup Tonkotsu Ramen (SGD17) and I like it even though this was not the establishment's main specialty (that would be Niigata Shoyu Ramen). My friend tried Rich Tori x Spicy Miso Ramen (SGD18) and unfortunately we both were indifferent to its taste. A little too thick and concentrated cause the experience to be less enjoyable compared to the former.

W Soup Tonkutsu Ramen (Wスープ豚骨らーめん) (SGD17) - the ramen was springy but firm, its texture the reason I like ramen so much. It claimed in the menu that the pork bone was simmered for 12 hours to create a concentrated broth that was rich in flavor, a flavor which I enjoyed so much that the soup was gone by the time I finished my meal.

Rich Tori x Spicy Miso Ramen (濃厚鶏辛味噌らーめん) (SGD18) - the broth was thick to the point of chocking. Spicy was a relative term, so expect not something of a Malaysian level. With a broth so thick you could barely enjoy the ramen as you could the way you do for Tonkutsu type. However if you are one keen on trying different ways ramen can be served, this is one for out of the box.

The interior, which gives a very Japanese feel

Look for this store front when you exit Holland Village MRT Exit B.

The overall taste was fine, and I choose to check the unfavorable experience of spicy miso ramen as an unfortunate black sheep of the family since my friend tried Sanpoutei Ramen's Niigata Shoyu Ramen in the past and that was the real reason we visited this establishment. It was purely our luck to try out an unknown taste and we were prepared for any surprises anyway.

The listed prices on Sanpoutei Ramen's menu unfortunately cast them in a negative light. For a meal of 2 ramen plus green tea, it was rather exorbitant for the bill to go beyond SGD50 in total. Nevertheless I believe that this would in no way disturb the inflow of diners as it seemed that the establishment is almost always fully occupied. Those springy ramen and rich broth is definitely worth the time to visit this restaurant again.

Environment:          A UNESCO Heritage List building in the old town area

Suitable for:             for family or friends, or just for usual dining

Price:                           luxurious (>SGD20 per meal per pax)

Food score:                  7/10

Food:                            4.0/5.0

Service:                        4.0/5.0

Value:                           3.5/5.0

Ambient:                      3.0/5.0

Operating hours:   11.30 a.m. - 11.00 p.m.

Directions:                Disembark at Holland Village MRT and look for Exit B. Go up to street level and look for the shop near the exit.

Website:                    Official homepage of Sanpoutei Ramen Singapore and Facebook page

Contact:                    +65 - 6463 7277 (phone) (Holland Village branch)

E-mail:                       info@sanpoutei.sg

Address:                    253 Holland Ave #01-01 Singapore 278982.