Brothers Ramen Review: Affordable Ramen In Tanjong Pagar

Brothers Ramen is a popular ramen eatery in Tanjong Pagar

To me, ramen is more than just a bowl of noodles; it’s a comforting experience that warms both the stomach and the soul. This explains why I was excited to visit Brothers Ramen, a popular spot in the CBD that sports an unassuming look, with long queues forming before they open. As its name suggests, Brothers Ramen was founded by two siblings. They launched their first ramen stall at Teck Kee Coffee Shop in 2010 and four years later, they upgraded their passion into a full-fledged ramen eatery in Tanjong Pagar!

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Food at Brothers Ramen

I started with the classic Brothers Ramen ($14.90++), which came with most of the must-haves in a good bowl of ramen: springy noodles, tender chashu pork, and soft bamboo shoots. One small thing, though, I wish there had been a piece of nori to top it off.

Though a tad too thick in consistency for my liking, the broth was rich and flavourful, with the chashu adding a hearty depth to the soup that made it even more satisfying. As for the noodles, I found them to be well-cooked with a chewy texture.

Next, I tried the Ikemen ($14.90++), a weekly special at Brothers Ramen. It came with thick noodles submerged in a rich broth, topped with a generous portion of spinach, a thick piece of chashu, and nori.

It was a pity that the chashu was tough and lacked the tenderness I had hoped for. At first blush, I noticed that the noodles in Ikemen were thicker than the ones in Brothers Ramen. Given that the noodles were thick, I found them slightly too chewy and would have preferred if thin, springy noodles were served instead.

Curious, I asked one of the brothers about the difference between the Ikemen’s and Brothers Ramen’s soup bases and learned that the former had chicken oil while the latter didn’t.

Tip: if you don’t want to become sick of the overwhelming garlic taste in Ikemen’s broth like I did, I recommend opting for less garlic when you place your order.

Next, I tried the Megamen Light ($12.90++), the cheapest item on the menu. For such an affordable price, I was taken aback by the staggering amount of ingredients piled atop the noodles.

The cut of chashu in the Megamen Light was fatty, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth, unlike the firmer and tougher meat served in the earlier two bowls. This was the texture I anticipated and kept me wanting more after each bite!

True to its name, the clear broth was light on the palate like a comforting bowl of home-cooked Chinese noodle soup. The Megamen Light is made solely using pork bones, while the Brothers Ramen combines other ingredients such as chicken and fish to achieve a thicker broth.

The noodles served were also on the thicker side and I would have preferred a thinner version to absorb the delicious broth.

Moving on to dry options, I tried the Megamen Dry ($14.90++), which came with the same ingredients as the Megamen Light, but with a side of ajitsuke tamago and shredded seaweed. 

I found myself sifting through a towering heap of tau gay to uncover the ramen underneath, nearly spilling the ingredients out of the bowl. Also, I liked that the cut of chashu was fatty, coating each strand of noodle with a smooth, buttery mouthfeel. Given the huge portion, I struggled to finish the entire bowl, so I’ll come with an empty stomach the next time I order the Megamen.

Ambience at Brothers Ramen

Brothers Ramen is located at International Plaza, just a two-minute walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station. Its cosy interior and soft lighting create an inviting ambience perfect for savouring a warm bowl of ramen. But you may have to queue up to an hour just to get a seat, so I encourage you to go slightly before their opening time to beat the crowd.

The verdict

For the price you pay, Brothers Ramen serves relatively large portions compared to many of the ramen stalls I’ve been to. While the dishes here have their hits and misses, there’s no denying the effort poured into every bowl. If you’re on the hunt for a ramen place worth your buck, be sure to drop by Brothers Ramen!

If you’re looking for a place with good ramen, read our Mensho Tokyo review, where we tried Michelin-approved ramen with duck matcha. Alternatively, if you’re in the area, check out our Tanjong Pagar food guide for Korean BBQ, sweet potato desserts and more.

Address: 10 Anson Road, #01-20, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thurs-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 7:45pm, Wed & Sat 11:30am to 2:30pm
Website
Brothers Ramen is not a halal-certified eatery. 

Mensho Tokyo Review: Michelin-Approved Ramen With Duck Matcha And Famous Chicken Broth

Photos taken by Marcus Neo.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.

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