Marutama Ramen @ Fahrenheit 88 – It’s All About the Egg!
April 28, 2011 | 3,432 views| 23 Comments » |
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Strands of springy fresh noodles dunked in the flavoursome broth brewed from chicken and various nuts, served with ample portion of chopped fresh ‘negi’ (Japanese leek), slices of perfectly browned ‘cha shu’ (roast pork belly), and an egg that’s wonderful.
I was never a fan of soupy noodles. To me, the sheer thought of slurping Penang koay teow th’ng, Ipoh famous Kai See Hor Fun, or even Maggi noodle soup can evoke a sense of malaise. Yes, so much so that I only go for these when:
a) No dry options available (Eg. dry curry mee, dry ‘Kai See Hor Fun’, Mee Sedap),
b) I fall sick and wish to down copious amount of soup with my food, OR
c) The soupy option is too good to resist.
At Marutama Ramen; this famous chain of ramen specialist from Singapore, I stumbled upon a gem. Almost a nirvana.
The soup so thick, almost to a creamy consistency; brimming with umami flavours from the ingredients. At Marutama Ramen, you’re allowed to add the noodles, but not the soup. However, bear in mind that a bowl of that proportion would have been more than enough to send you into a gratifying state of mind. “Jelak”, even.
This was opened before the maddening rush for Uniqlo. Over-hyped, at best. Slightly more than half a year, if I am not mistaken. And still going strong albeit the challenge of drawing in the crowd. Parked at one lonely corner (a few doors away from the newly opened Cream N Fudge Factory), you can’t miss the bright orange basketball-like logo.
Signature condiment? The fried garlic provided for that extra robust punch. The rice, pickles and soup were all complimentary with the ramen sets.
Pardon me, but I think those might have been chicken meatballs instead. But I edited this picture before the realization, hence the ‘intentional’ typo. Don’t point fingers, as long as I get the message across?
As much as I abhor soupy, bland noodles fit for an ill patient, I absolutely adore ramen. Or to a lesser extent, udon/soba in soup. But the thought of slurping pork bone-infused soup (usually pork cuts are used, but at Marutama, they have their own blend of chicken and nuts), especially during the rainy season?
Priceless.
The Gyoza (dumplings) with a liberal dash of chili oil were tasty, yet forgettable.
How could one simple hard-boiled egg be sooooooo good? It’s in the yolk baby. The runny, liquefied caloric-ridden elixir within.
The noodles being al dente (like all good noodles should), without the slightest stale taste, or worse alkaline taste (!), we found ourselves slurping them up all the way until the end. And then some.
What did I mean by ‘and then some‘? We initially thought that the free refills for noodles stood true. But seemingly, nope. We were charged RM3 for each addition; but bear in mind that you do NOT get extra soup. Hmm, how stingy eh?
RM3 per portion. How come I remembered glancing through the menu stating that refills come complimentary eh?
Anyway, I don’t mind subsequent visits for the wholesome, hearty ramen with a sickening (in a good way) broth. Browsing through the menu can be a chore, since each variety differs from another slightly; and you can actually hurry the process by setting your mind on whether you want pork belly, meatballs, egg, or a combination of each.
Roughly RM20-30 per serving, but sufficient to fill an average stomach. If not? Hop over to Cream N Fudge, and indulge away ….. Feeling the guilt? Go on retail therapy. Plentiful of shopping centres within a stone’s throw away.
Is that a basketball?
Marutama Ramen (non-Halal)
Fahrenheit 88
F1.27.01, First Floor,
Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel : +03-21411573
Business Hours : 11.30am to 10.00pm
More reviews from Zestful Eats, Nomad Gourmand, EatDrinkKL, Edward Foo
I believe they’re practising Japanese tradition whereby you can buy refills of the mee but indeed there’s no refill for the broth even if you pay unless you order another bowl of ramen! From the picture on your blog I believe you had a Tonkotsu broth ramen! BTW I’m a fan of your blog! Kudos to you!
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 29th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Hi Charles! Thanks. Yeah, that should be the tradition. But I mistakenly thought FREE noodle refills. But we were charged anyway.
I believed the broth was from pork too, but read from their site that it’s chicken and nuts.
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Oh maaaaaan. Lookin at the photos r making me feel so hungry! I wish this place is closer to my house/ office.
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The egg is a strong magnet…
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man, i really fell in love with this place when it first opened… best ramen in kl i have ever tasted
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 29th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Though I have not tasted a lot of ramen in KL, but this was really outstanding in its own right.
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LiLian Reply:
April 30th, 2011 at 1:41 am
what about Dragon-i’s ramen? it’s also very springy and tasty. ramen processed and cooked on the spot.
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I think tat’s a basketball! Dint adjourn to C&F Factory for dessert?
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 29th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
The bowl of thick soup got me reeling lah …. later you say I over-indulge pulak.
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wah how come so much spring onions and coriander…
puts me off. normally i’ll ask to omit those vege. don’t like the smell of it. the egg is attractive though.
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 29th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Huh?! The negi is the most important ingredients, aside from the noodles. Personal opinion.
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LiLian Reply:
April 30th, 2011 at 1:45 am
since young memang don’t like strong smell vege like coriander, spring onion, celery etc but i like garlic very much. lol…weird right. i will choose out if it was in the noddle to the last bit before eating. i actually have a lot of friends don’t like them as well.
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I love soupy noodles. Come gimme all your soup. Muahahha
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 29th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Haha.. .sorry, for RAMEN, I can slurp up everything. Down to the last drop.
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lol not really a basket ball the lines and the dot is the japanese word for tama. and the round circle is maru.
. it’s a play on the japanese word
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Wah .. you’re good eh? But that sure looks like one basketball.
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Went for my 2nd visit there yesterday and we were stuffed! More choices actually. Of course, we can’t resist THE EGG…absolutely loving it to bits!! Found out that the braised pork tasted much better than the sliced ones and…we almost finish the dried sliced garlic condiment! Haha
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 13th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Yeah, the egg nailed it! Was surprised as I did not expect the braised egg to be so good.
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A new Ramen restaurant opening soon in Mid Valley Level 2. Name Gokuraku Ramen
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 24th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Thanks YT! Have you tried that?
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is the ramen really a good one in town?
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 24th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Yes Wivien. Of course, this may not be the best, but I believe many would agree that Marutama does serve a mighty good one.
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The broth taste like make from chicken soup POWDER, the noodle I wouldn’t it as ramen, its “Wan Ton” noodle, even koren Shin packet noodle taste much better than it. Japanese restaurant but no taste of Japanese, even the Japanese tea also do not have the fragrant as Japanese Green Tea. Overall “SUCK”
Even the price range is velow RM30.00 but it never worth the money. I will suggest going to RAKUZEN at G-Tower.
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