Review: Kyoto Ramen Hachicken’s Singapore debuts with teething issues, but the spicy chicken karaage slaps

Does anyone remember the era when ramen was the “in” thing and renowned brands from Japan ventured into Singapore every other month?

While international brands continue pouring into Singapore, it’s more common to spot new Korean restaurants, artisan pizza spots, and other trendier dishes in the limelight nowadays.

But if you’re missing the old ramen days, here’s something interesting to start off the year: Kyoto Ramen Hachiken has just opened its first Singapore outlet.

The backstory

While Kyoto Ramen Hachicken hails from Kyoto, you won’t find a store carrying its name anywhere there.

Instead, the brand is a sister brand to Hachikian, a celebrated Kyoto restaurant that first opened in 1970 and specialises in chicken and duck dishes.

The ramen concept Kyoto Ramen Hachicken only materialised in 2022 when it opened its first outlet in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kyoto Ramen Hachicken went on to open its first outlet in Singapore in late December 2024, at Chinatown Point.

Like many casual mall ramen joints, its decor is simple and not too flashy but it does come with little “torii gate” (a gate usually found at entrances to shinto shrines) fixtures that pay homage to its Kyoto roots.

The ordering is also done through a self-ordering kiosk, common in Japanese restaurants in Japan, too, so it’s all very convenient.

Our verdict

For a supposedly “branded” international entry into Singapore, it didn’t quite deliver and might be a sign of Hachicken’s Singapore outlet having some teething issues.

While we don’t expect tip-top ambience or service at a ramen restaurant located in a mall, we found the food quality somewhat lacking.

Despite its reputation, Kyoto Ramen Hachicken turned out to be decidedly average, all things considered. 

We reckon many of the existing establishments in Singapore are just as good, or maybe even better.

Overall, it fell short of expectations, especially since this meal came right after this writer’s trip to Tokyo in December.

What it’s good for

That said, we had one surprise favourite dish at Hachicken Ramen — the spicy chicken karaage (S$6.80 for five pieces). 

There was a nice crunch to it and the sauce was quite enjoyable with a bit of sweetness and citrus tang, followed by a twinge of numbing heat. Quite shiok.

This being a ramen joint, you’d understandably want to try its ramen: Hachicken’s shoyu broth was decently comforting — not great, but not bad, either. 

The shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) adds a nice bit of savoury depth to the broth base that’s a blend of chicken, duck, dried bonito and kelp. 

These elements come together to deliver a base that is sweet, rich and creamy, but also comes with an enjoyable dose of umami.

When it comes to its shoyu broth, Hachicken has the chicken shoyu ramen (S$16.80) that comes with the chicken meatball, boiled egg, and the signature chicken and duck chashu

The big eaters who prefer more meat with your carbs should get the  chicken shoyu ramen special (S$16.80), which comes with an additional hulking piece of chicken thigh!

Hachicken also offers different sets, which give you smaller portions of dishes to pair with your ramen — including chawan mushi, oyako don and this chashu don (chicken and duck).

We got set three (S$19.80), a combo of any ramen with chashu don, and it fared decently — nicely fragrant with the pieces of tender chicken chashu almost giving it a chicken-rice vibe.

You can also add in the condiments and broth at the side to make a hearty ochazuke (traditional Japanese rice, where dashi or green tea is poured over cooked rice) after you’re done.

It’s a solid bowl of ochazuke, though we did find the broth much sweeter than we’d prefer.

What it could improve on

If we had to be brutally honest, the broth might be the only good part of the bowl of chicken shoyu ramen special we had. 

For one, the chicken thigh was pretty dry (though there were somewhat tender parts on the thigh), and the egg yolk was regrettably tasteless and didn’t come with that runny, jammy consistency that ramen lovers usually enjoy.

Thankfully, both types of chashu (the chicken and duck variations) were somewhat tende — and I think some might appreciate a switch up from the usual pork. 

But our biggest issue was with the noodles.

We admit, with the time required to take photos prior to our meal, it is inevitable that the noodles will get soggy.

However, being frequent ramen eaters (who almost always let the camera eat first), we noticed that Hachicken’s noodles were significantly soggier than you’d expect for the duration it was left sitting. 

And that’s just for the shoyu ramen. 

Hachicken’s chicken yuzu shio ramen (S$12.80) was much more underwhelming. 

Sure, shio (salt-based) broths tend to taste lighter. However, this wasn’t just clean and light — it was just very mildly flavoured with no discernible yuzu notes. 

Maybe it’s just an off day? Maybe it’s just trying to find its footing? 

We’re not sure, but it was a rather disappointing trip for sure, considering its opening was quite hyped on social media.

Ultimately, we might put off our next return until the restaurant has time to settle in — or when we are craving some karaage next.

Our quick takes

Is it conducive to conversation? It wasn’t very noisy, but we did come during off-peak hours.

Is a reservation necessary? Kyoto Ramen Hachicken’s Chinatown Point outlet is walk-in only.

How to get there? Chinatown Point is right outside Chinatown Point MRT station exit E. The shop is located beside Luckin Coffee, at the start of the spiral walkway leading up to the library.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on Orchard Central spots to hit up for your town dates and other spots in Chinatown Point that you can explore in the new year.

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

You can also book a ride to Kyoto Ramen Hachicken’s first Singapore outlet at Chinatown Point.