Kyoto’s Menbaka Fire Ramen Opening in S’pore, Has Chefs Lighting Your Food On Fire
Diners have to wear protective covers.
At Kyoto ramen restaurant Menbaka Fire Ramen, the chefs literally light your food on fire. The popular eatery is well-known for its theatrical way of cooking ramen in front of customers, by pouring flaming negi (Japanese green onion) oil over its signature shoyu ramen to create towering flames. The fiery cooking technique apparently gives the broth a smokey, complex flavour.
First Singapore outlet opening on Nov 24
Come Nov 24, 2020, it will open its first overseas franchised outlet at Orchard Cineleisure. The opening was originally slated for April this year, but was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Menbaka has also temporarily closed its Kyoto flagship restaurant since April 5, due to the coronavirus.
Phones must be surrendered
For safety reasons, customers must also hand over their phones to the restaurant staff. This is to ensure that people do not get too close to the flames while taking photos for the ’gram. Instead, the staff will mount the phones on strategically-placed selfie sticks at the cooking counter to record the diners’ awed expressions.
Exclusive tonkotsu flavour for Singapore outlet
In Kyoto, Menbaka Fire Ramen only serves a shoyu flavour. But for the Singapore market, it is introducing an exclusive Tonkotsu Fire Ramen ($19). Also on the local menu: the Shoyu Fire Ramen ($18) and a Vegetarian Fire Ramen ($17). Each bowl is loaded with a big heaping of Japanese green onions, which are gently charred by the flames.
The brand is created by a ramen master who wanted to catch people’s attention
Menbaka Fire Ramen’s founder is Kyoto native Masamichi Miyazawa. The ramen chef opened his restaurant in 1984 selling traditional ramen bowls, before coming up with this, er, lit idea to catch customers’ attention.
#05-03 Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Rd, S239695. Open daily 12pm-9pm. www.facebook.com/menbakasg.
PHOTOS: MENBAKA FIRE RAMEN
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