This used to be agreat place for budget ramen. The kids love this place because you could mix and match the ingredients in the Ramen.
Sadly, the quality and service have not been better but instead gone south. The noodle does feel like instant noodle instead of lovingly made to perfection.
The stock, which was it's pride and joy, isn't as thick or as creamy as I remembered.
Worse, still, the service now is, at best, average. Went to this Ramen Ramen today for lunch and ordered the kid's ramen for my son. I specifically told the waiter (youngish, under 21) that I DO NOT want spring onion or egg in the ramen. What came was ramen with egg and spring onion. Then, they asked what flavour of ice cream I wanted and I told them chocolate. It came before the end of the main meal for my kid.
After masking some complaints, one of the waitress apologised but this shouldn't happen in the first place. I think their QC for waiter should be given more emphasis in listening skills. Upping the quality and tastiness of the Ramen wouldn't hurt, either.
I took a friend there as well and she noted that she was extra thristy after the bowl of Ramen Ramen. She said this only occurs when she's had MSG. So, while we do not know if this is true, what we can say is that after the Ramen, it does makes one more thirsty than compared to other ramen places we ate before.
On the good side, the price is not expensive. For a cheap and fast eat, yeah, I'd go back. But maybe only that.
This restautrant used to be in the basement facing the Japanese supermarket. Back then, the food was fairly good and fairly economical.
Tried the new restaurant at level 1 recently, the curry rice and eel rice (in lieu of the street ramen, which I usually have but was 'out' that day). Quality seems to be slightly better or the same. Prices, however, seems to have increased. Average $17-$25 per person for mains.
The decor is nicer but at the expense of price of meals.
Not generally kid friendly as the place is a bit more cramped now, the baby chair keeps getting in the way of the waiters (or is it the other way round).
The windows decor is nice but not useful. Dusty, too. A nice glass frontage would have been better.
I give it 4 stars for the new place....down from 5 for the old place considering the quality-cost tradeoff.
krisandrosaid: It's been awhile since I last ate at Tampopo. I love the food there and it's a pity that the place is more cramped. I have to go back there soon to eat my katsu don! 09 Jan 2009 at 10:31 am
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If you want to eat at this popular Japanese restaurant during peak hours in the weekends, make a reservation.
Kid friendly and they even give a small toy to your little ones to quiet them down (so the adults can enjoy their meal).
I happen to walk in during one lunch weekday a few weeks back but the waiters were all busy with their own things. They didn't even bother asking me for a reservation name. I sat myself down and no one bothered me until my friends arrived. Seems like a bit disorganised there, maybe you should annouce your presence to the waiters.
Generally, the food is average (ordered the eel rice and the sushi platter), more pricey than Sushi Tei with about the same quality, albeit a larger portion. Then again, food is not about quantity but quality, right?
The view from the window side is OK, facing the greenishly looking Singapore River. I'm not sure if that's 'clean'. But at night, it's not bad for a romantic dinner except the restaurant does not have that sort of ambience.
Eat around, there are better quality Japanese restaurant for same cost or even less, as in downstairs in street level facing the river.
It's an average restaurant with a family oreinted touch. Can't say much, either good or bad.
On first sight, it seems to be a small dark restaurant with identify crisis - is it Japanese or is it French?
Lunch time is quite full so ended up in the counter. However, early lunch during the weekends is fine and we even got to chose our tables.
Decor is cottage French and brings a certain "Manga" feel, like you're in a Miyazaki cartoon. Perfect place for that gothic lolita gathering!
The head waitress/manager is in costume. Very fitting of French-Japanese restaurant.
It was told to me that the Japanese-French concept is not new and in Japan, such restaurants are immaculate when it comes to authencity in taste (french).
Ordered a few items and they were all great! Average about $18-27 per person for mains.
Instead of giving your bill from the table, they give you a brass key with the table number, kinda like you'd find in an old European motel. You take the key to the cashier, manned by the manager, for payment.
BTW, their in-house toilet is a very tight squeeze. So be warened after a heavy meal.
Avoid sitting at the counter as the cooking is done just nearby albeit seperated by a glass wall.
I give it 5 stars in its (French-Japanese) class for quality, decor and service.
Went there during my first day at work lunch with my colleagues. A very good selection of food and the quality is as good as those in ala carte menus.
However, we were a bit lost and there was no proper explanation (are we on buffet or time limit buffet or what) on the charges. Not that bad a queue but reservations a must to prevent waiting.
Decor is OK but a bit crowded. And tables are a bit too small if everyone orders a paper steamboat. There are plenty of waiters around but can take a while to clear the table fo plates, so maybe best to bring that empty plate back for round 2, 3 or 4.
Desert is tasty but limited in choice (3-4 types).
1=SGD 0.0587
Sadly, the quality and service have not been better but instead gone south. The noodle does feel like instant noodle instead of lovingly made to perfection.
The stock, which was it's pride and joy, isn't as thick or as creamy as I remembered.
Worse, still, the service now is, at best, average. Went to this Ramen Ramen today for lunch and ordered the kid's ramen for my son. I specifically told the waiter (youngish, under 21) that I DO NOT want spring onion or egg in the ramen. What came was ramen with egg and spring onion. Then, they asked what flavour of ice cream I wanted and I told them chocolate. It came before the end of the main meal for my kid.
After masking some complaints, one of the waitress apologised but this shouldn't happen in the first place. I think their QC for waiter should be given more emphasis in listening skills. Upping the quality and tastiness of the Ramen wouldn't hurt, either.
I took a friend there as well and she noted that she was extra thristy after the bowl of Ramen Ramen. She said this only occurs when she's had MSG. So, while we do not know if this is true, what we can say is that after the Ramen, it does makes one more thirsty than compared to other ramen places we ate before.
On the good side, the price is not expensive. For a cheap and fast eat, yeah, I'd go back. But maybe only that.
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Tried the new restaurant at level 1 recently, the curry rice and eel rice (in lieu of the street ramen, which I usually have but was 'out' that day). Quality seems to be slightly better or the same. Prices, however, seems to have increased. Average $17-$25 per person for mains.
The decor is nicer but at the expense of price of meals.
Not generally kid friendly as the place is a bit more cramped now, the baby chair keeps getting in the way of the waiters (or is it the other way round).
The windows decor is nice but not useful. Dusty, too. A nice glass frontage would have been better.
I give it 4 stars for the new place....down from 5 for the old place considering the quality-cost tradeoff.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!It's been awhile since I last ate at Tampopo. I love the food there and it's a pity that the place is more cramped. I have to go back there soon to eat my katsu don!
09 Jan 2009 at 10:31 am
Kid friendly and they even give a small toy to your little ones to quiet them down (so the adults can enjoy their meal).
I happen to walk in during one lunch weekday a few weeks back but the waiters were all busy with their own things. They didn't even bother asking me for a reservation name. I sat myself down and no one bothered me until my friends arrived. Seems like a bit disorganised there, maybe you should annouce your presence to the waiters.
Generally, the food is average (ordered the eel rice and the sushi platter), more pricey than Sushi Tei with about the same quality, albeit a larger portion. Then again, food is not about quantity but quality, right?
The view from the window side is OK, facing the greenishly looking Singapore River. I'm not sure if that's 'clean'. But at night, it's not bad for a romantic dinner except the restaurant does not have that sort of ambience.
Eat around, there are better quality Japanese restaurant for same cost or even less, as in downstairs in street level facing the river.
It's an average restaurant with a family oreinted touch. Can't say much, either good or bad.
Login to add your comment. Or, Register for an account now. It's free!
Lunch time is quite full so ended up in the counter. However, early lunch during the weekends is fine and we even got to chose our tables.
Decor is cottage French and brings a certain "Manga" feel, like you're in a Miyazaki cartoon. Perfect place for that gothic lolita gathering!
The head waitress/manager is in costume. Very fitting of French-Japanese restaurant.
It was told to me that the Japanese-French concept is not new and in Japan, such restaurants are immaculate when it comes to authencity in taste (french).
Ordered a few items and they were all great! Average about $18-27 per person for mains.
Instead of giving your bill from the table, they give you a brass key with the table number, kinda like you'd find in an old European motel. You take the key to the cashier, manned by the manager, for payment.
BTW, their in-house toilet is a very tight squeeze. So be warened after a heavy meal.
Avoid sitting at the counter as the cooking is done just nearby albeit seperated by a glass wall.
I give it 5 stars in its (French-Japanese) class for quality, decor and service.
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However, we were a bit lost and there was no proper explanation (are we on buffet or time limit buffet or what) on the charges. Not that bad a queue but reservations a must to prevent waiting.
Decor is OK but a bit crowded. And tables are a bit too small if everyone orders a paper steamboat. There are plenty of waiters around but can take a while to clear the table fo plates, so maybe best to bring that empty plate back for round 2, 3 or 4.
Desert is tasty but limited in choice (3-4 types).
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