Menbaka Kyoto Fire Ramen Singapore Review: Feel the heat, literally!

Prior to our staycation at the Mandarin Orchard, we stumbled upon Menbaka Kyoto Fire Ramen Restaurant while searching for lunch at Cineleisure Orchard…

Famous for its tagline of “No Ramen No Life“, Menbaka Kyoto Fire Ramen started in a small shop north of Nijo Castle in Kyoto. The idea of a “fire ramen” started because of Mr Masamichi Miyazawa’s pursuit of excellence in producing the sweetest green onion that is easy to eat. The result? Sprinkling of hot roasted green onion oil, which is known to us as fire ramen today!

Menbaka also has four keys to deliver an inspiring experience to all customers

1. Entertainment Entertainment
2. Quality Quality
3. Kindness Kindness
4. Efficiency Efficiency

These keys were indeed reflected during our dining experience at Menbaka Fire Ramen…

Before we stepped into the restaurant, we were given our menu to pre-order and we focused on the items with the thumbs up. Hence, we ordered the

Menbaka Original Shoyu Fire Ramen (chicken broth) – $17.90
Tonkotsu Fire Ramen – $19.90
In-house Charcoal Karaage – $9.90

We were also offered to try the Iced Authentic Kyoto Matcha Latte but we declined due to the feasting in store for the rest of the day. 😅

During our wait, which took about 15 minutes, we were offered to stand closer to the restaurant (rather than the designated box) due to the hot sun that was piercing through the glass windows of Orchard Cineleisure. A nice demonstration of kindness kindness of Menbaka Kyoto Fire Ramen.

Next, we witnessed the entertainment key of Menbaka Kyoto Fire Ramen…

Once you’ve handed over your orders, you’d be led to your table once the next one is available. There, you’ll wait for your turn to be called up to the counter to await the entertainment!

Before the performance starts, you’ll hear traditional Japanese folk music played within the restaurant. The servers over the counter will also place your camera on holders situated behind the servers where pictures of the fire can be captured with you for a memory keepsake. Then, the performance of pouring the fiery hot roasted green onion oil which produces the flames that rises out of the bowls!

Do note that the heat from the fire can be rather searing. Translated as SUPER HOT! This was also why we didn’t sit upfront for the performance as we’ve witnessed (and felt) the fire ramen while awaiting outside of the restaurant. So please be very careful! 🥵

Soon, our orders were served up – talk about efficiency…

Tom really enjoyed the Menbaka Original Shoyu Fire Ramen! The chicken broth was flavourful and the taste came with the sweetness of the green onions coupled with a decent serving of “wok hei”. Salivating while writing this paragraph! 🤤 As for the Tonkotsu Fire Ramen, though it was good, it still pales in comparison to the richness and depth of Ichiran Ramen that we’ve tasted (and not cannot forget) in Tokyo.

Lastly, we enjoyed the Charcoal Karaage. You could taste the marination and the juiciness of the meat on each bite. Dip into the ponzu based sauce for an appetising taste. Yum!

As efficiently as the food came, we consumed it just as efficiently as well. Before long, our bowls were swept away and we were out in less than half an hour while the next group of patrons took their seats at the counter with the folk music in the background…

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Conclusion

The meal set us back about $60 and we think that it is an all-encompassing experience. The price includes the fire ramen performance, taking of photos for you and also the delicious taste of the rich broth coupled with “wok hei”. For a one-time experience, it was worth it.

For repeated visits? Perhaps not so much as the price is indeed a little steeper and we don’t really need to see the fire performance more than once. Still, for a novel experience of Fire Ramen in Singapore, head down to Menbaka Kyoto Fire Ramen for that unique taste and feel of the Fire Ramen!