Your Guide To All 13 Of Chef Keisuke's Restaurants And Why There's So Many Of Them

If you’re a huge ramen fan and love trying out new food, you would be very familiar with Chef Keisuke and his creations. Besides his classic Tonkotsu Ramen that earned him the title of Ramen King here, he is continually pushing culinary boundaries with unheard creations like lobster and crab ramen, and most recently, a bak kut teh ramen which is a fusion of both well-loved dishes by the Japanese and Singaporeans locally. We have even tried Japan’s best ramen as proclaimed by the locals, but we know that not everyone has a trip to Japan coming up, so local ramen restaurants are your next best bet to satisfy any ramen cravings.
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Chef Keisuke

One of the more popular ramen restaurants that actually lives up to its hype is the chain of outlets opened up by celebrity chef Keisuke Takeda. Chef Keisuke was also the winner of the 2011 Tokyo Ramen Championships, beating out 30,000 other chefs in Japan to become the Ramen Champion. Keisuke has already been making waves with prawn broth ramen and a ‘black’ ramen locally in Japan, and he eventually brought his delicious creations to Singapore.
Also another reason to visit any one of Keisuke’s ramen joints: FREE EGGS and bean sprouts. Even though the free eggs aren’t your typical onsen eggs that break apart to reveal a soft moist yolk; the eggs that are sitting on your table in a wicker basket are hard boiled, but are still delicious when dipped into your ramen broth.
So if you are feeling like some ramen, head to one of Keisuke’s restaurants. The harder part is deciding which restaurant to go to, because each restaurant specialises in different ramen, and some ramen are exclusive to certain outlets. To help you make your dining decisions easier, we put together a guide on all of Keisuke’s restaurants, including his latest outlet that is entirely dedicated to duck. The list will probably only continue growing longer, because Keisuke is still brimming with ideas!


Ginza Kamo Soba Kyudaime Keisuke – an entire restaurant dedicated to duck ramen

Hybrid Duck Broth Ramen (Rich Soup) With Flavoured Egg - $16.90

Hybrid Duck Broth Ramen (Rich Soup)

The latest outlet, Kamo Soba Keisuke, is the sister branch of another restaurant with the same name in Ginza that also sells duck broth ramen. The only difference is that the outlet in Singapore uses Irish duck in its ramen because of the ducks’s richer taste to complement the heavier Singaporean palette. The duck ramen comes in a clear or rich soup broth, or you can also choose to have it as tsukumen (dipping noodles). The highlight of the ramen is the yuzu duck meatballs – a refreshing, citrusy bite to balance out the rich, meaty broth.
Each bowl of ramen also comes with two slices of tender, slow-cooked duck. If you just want the duck but not really feeling the noodles, get the Kamo-ju, which gives you a blanket of duck slices on a bed of rice. The duck is marinated in wasabi, and has a ‘fresh’ sensation when you eat it that is similar to a burst of citrus that actually comes from marinating the duck in wasabi (something that you don’t see often). Add a couple drops of Chilli Oil that should already be on your table for some spice.
Kamo Ju - $29.90

Kamo-Ju (duck on rice)

Ginza Kamo Soba Kyudaime Keisuke
Address: Holland Village/ 16A Lor Mambong (second floor), S277677
Opening hours: Mon-Fri:11.30am – 2.30pm and 5 – 10pm; Sat – Sun: 11.30am – 10pm (last order 30 mins before closing time)


Keisuke Tokyo – where you can find all his bestsellers!

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Niboshi (dried fish stock) Ramen Special

One of Keisuke’s biggest outlets which seats up to 75 people, Keisuke Tokyo carries all of Chef’s signature ramens like the Crab Ramen and Tonkotsu Ramen. Exclusive to this outlet is the Niboshi (dried fishstock ramen) and Miso Tonkotsu Ramen, and is also where you can find the world’s only Bak Kut Teh Ramen. Just in case you were wondering, the Bak Kut Teh Ramen was whipped up by Keisuke in support of his movie Ramen Teh, inspired by his own love story between Japan and Singapore. Also, the Bak Kut Teh Ramen is only available until April and only a limited number of bowls are sold everyday, so you should head down to the Suntec City outlet to see if you want to see how a bowl of bak kut teh and ramen would taste like.
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Bak Kut Teh Ramen

Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo
Address: #02-391/392 Suntec City, 3 Temasek Blvd, S038983
Opening hours:
Daily 11.30am-10pm


Tonkotsu King – the OG outlet that heralded the start of Keisuke’s reign in Singapore

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Keisuke first brought his famous Tonkotsu Ramen to Singapore, which slowly became one of the best ramen joints in town. In addition to the classic Tonkotsu Ramen that earned Keisuke his title as the Tonkotsu King, there’s also the Black Spicy Ramen and Spicy Red Ramen. The Spicy Red Ramen will be a huge kick for spice lovers as its made using a super spicy chili oil. Tonkotsu King brings the ramen experience to you straight from Japan, including the small, homely ambiance, which means that the eatery can only seat 20 people at any one time. If you go during peak hours, expect a queue.
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Black Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen

Tonkotsu King (Tanjong Pagar)
Address: 1 Tras Link #01-19 Orchid Hotel, S078867
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:30am-1pm and 6-10.30pm/ Sun: 11:30am-1pm and 6-10pm
Tonkotsu King (Paya Lebar)
Address: 60 Paya Lebar Road #01/04, Paya Lebar Square, S409051
Opening hours: 
Mon- Fri: 11.30am – 1pm and 5.30-10pm/ Sat, Sun and Public Holiday: 11.30am – 10pm


Tori King – get a taste of chicken ramen broth here

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Tori King Green Spicy Ramen Special

 Feast on delicious, hearty chicken broth which will remind you of creamy chicken soup! Your bowl of chicken ramen will also come with a huge grilled chicken thigh for you to sink your teeth into. There’s also tender chicken meatballs if you can’t get enough of chicken.

Tori King 
Address: #03-15, 100AM, 100 Tras Street, S079027
Opening hours: 
Mon- Fri: 11.30am – 1pm and 5.30-10pm/ Sat, Sun and Public Holiday: 11.30am – 10pm


Tonkotsu King Four Seasons – choose your ramen based on what season you’re feeling

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Tonkotsu Ramen King Winter Special

We’re getting strong Vivaldi vibes here, but Tonkotsu King Four Seasons doesn’t stray far from the concept. With an exclusive inspired by the four different seasons in Japan – choose your broth carefully crafted for the season you’re in the mood for. If you look around carefully, you’ll find that the various section of the restaurant is designed after a particular season. Each season has its own dedicated bowls; Spring will arrive steaming hot in a beautiful bowl with cherry blossom prints. Other than the four seasons, you can also get the classic Tonkotsu King Ramen, which comes with stir-fried pork and ginger.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each season’s flavour profile:

  • Spring Ramen: a tonkotsu based ramen that is topped with basil and parmesan cheese
  • Summer Ramen: a tonkotsu base blended with shichimi, Sichuan pepper and Cayenne pepper – VERY SPICY evoke the sensations of a hot, passionate summer
  • Autumn Ramen: a tonkotsu based ramen with mushrooms and bonito flakes for umami
  • Winter Ramen: a rich tonkotsu based ramen which pays homage to the OG Tonkotsu King

You can also further customise your ramen with your preferred toppings, soup intensity, oil, and noodle texture. Choose ‘normal’ to eat it like how the Japanese do.
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Tonkotsu Ramen Spring

Tonkotsu King Four Seasons
Address:
158 Rochor Road Bugis Village S188433
Opening hours: Mon- Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm and 5-10.30pm/ Sat, Sun and Public Holiday: 11.30am – 10.30pm


Gyoza King – for those filling like its a dumpling kind of day

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Maybe you love the delicious ramen broth, but you’re just not in hte mood for soup. Keisuke whips up delicious gyozas, little dumplings that are filled with ramen broth. You can choose three different types of gyozas based on the soup you are craving – the Tonkotsu King Gyoza, Tori King Gyoza, and the Keisuke Gyoza (prawn and chicken dumpling with crab ramen broth). Get the kaiseki set, where you can choose your preferred gyozas and two side dishes to eat with rice and soup.
Gyoza King
Address:
1 Tras Link #01-15 Orchid Hotel Singapore 078867
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am – 2.30pm and 6 – 10.30pm


Tonkotsu King Matsuri – for those who are in a festive and celebratory ramen mood

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Tonkotsu Ramen Yuki Matsuri

The entire restaurant emits a festive mood, decorated to look like a Matsuri festival in Japan. With bright, flashy banners and cheery streamers, the ramen joint will serve up 4 new tonkotsu ramens, but with a twist. The Tonkotsu Ramen Sanjya is topped with three different peppers, the Tonkotsu Ramen Yuki Matsuri blends a tonkotsu miso broth with cheese, the Tonkotsu Ramen Nebuta adds a layer of flavour with some Niboshi Iwashi (Japanese sardines) and the Tonkotsu Ramen Awaodori is a delicious blend of tonkotsu broth and sukiyaki, with a raw egg mixed in as a finishing touch.
You can also get the classic Tonkotsu Ramne, Shio Ramen, Shoyu Ramen, and Leisuke’s famous gyozas here too.
Tonkotsu King Matsuri
Address:
80 Marine Parade Road #B1-18A Parkway Parade, S449269
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am – 10pm


Ginza Tendon Itsuki – for some Japanese soul food that is not ramen

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Tempura

Keisuke might be the king of ramen, but sometimes we might be craving for more Japanese soul food that is not ramen. In collaboration with one of Ginza’s most popular sushi restaurant, Ginza Itsuki, Keisuke has brought Ginza tendons to Singapore. The menu is pretty simple; choose from the Special Tendon set which comes with prawn, chicken, vegetables and half-boiled egg, or the Vegetable Tendon, where you’ll get a selection of vegetables fried to perfection.
Keisuke might as well call Tanjong Pagar his own personal food alley with all the restaurants that he’s opening there – Ginza Tendon Itsuki joins Keisuke Tonkotsu King, Takeda Shoten Sake Bar and Keisuke Gyoza King in Tanjong Pagar.

Ginza Tendon Itsuki
Address: 8101 Tanjong Pagar Road, S088522
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am – 2.30pm and 5.30 – 10pm


Keisuke Lobster King – satisfy your food cravings after a tipsy night with some lobster ramen

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Lobster Broth Ramen (Rich Soup)

Just in case you weren’t aware, Chef Keisuke spent three years of his life in France, learning the French way of cooking. Using his French culinary techniques, Keisuke decided to create a lobster bisque version of ramen. Even the lobsters are flown in directly from France. The lobster ramen broth comes in both a clear and in a rich creamy version, but you won’t see any lobster meat in your bowl. The bowl comes topped with slices of pork belly, chicken char siew, and black pepper prawn wontons. You can also get the lobster broth with a spicy kick, or as a miso-lobster blend.
Lobster King is conveniently situated in Clark Quay and is open till 5am, so if you have any soup cravings after a heavy night of drinking, you know where to go! We had our first taste of the Lobster Ramen at ZoukOut, and its a great way to sober up at the end of the night.
Keisuke Lobster King
Address: Clarke Quay – 3C River Valley Road #01-07 The Cannery, Singapore 179022
Opening hours: daily 6pm – 5am


Keisuke Kani King – because who doesn’t love crab? Crab ramen, best ramen!

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Crab Broth Ramen Special

 Like all his other creations, Keisuke offers his exclusive Crab Ramen in four different styles – as a clear soup, rich soup, spicy broth, and as tsukemen. The fifth and final dish is a the Kani Tama Ramen, where the crab broth comes with a mixed egg omelet that reminds us the orh lua (oyster omelet) that you get in hawker centers. The additional layer of fluffy egg is something different to your typical onsen or hard-boiled eggs. In addition to the free flow beansprouts, you can also get free flow  of Nira garlic cabbage.
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Kani Tama Ramen (crab broth with mixed egg omelet)

Keisuke Kani King
Address: 8 Grange Road, #01-03 Cathay Cineleisure, Orchard, S239695
Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 12 noon – 1pm and 5 – 10pm; Fri, PH Eve: 12 noon – 1pm and  5pm to 2am; Sat: 12 noon – 2am; Sun, PH: 12 noon – 10pm


Takeda Shoten Sake Bar – for a midday tipple or a chill night ahead

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We love eating as much as your typical Singaporean, but sometimes you just want to knock back a couple of drinks and talk the night away. Takeda Shoten Sake Bar has range of bar bites including Keisuke’s renowned gyozas, oden, cold dishes, grilled dishes and sashimi. For those who need a little bit of carbs, there are small rice dishes available too. Japanese beers are served here, but its the sake and imported liqueurs that would impress those who appreciate their spirits.
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Assorted chinmi – small squid marinated in soy sauce, octopus marinated in wasabi and marinated squid

Takeda Shoten Sake Bar
Address: Orchid Hotel #01-08, 1 Tras Link, 078867
Opening hours: Daily 1pm – 12am


Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei – for those who are sick of ramen and want a good ol’ steak

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Left – Tripe Cheese Prime Hamburg Steak; Right – Keisuke Prime Beef Hamburg Steak

Keisuke’s next venture brings another of Japan’s most well-loved dishes – the hamburg steak. Steaks are served on sizzling hot plates and you can choose from a prime beef steak or one that releases a torrent of cheese when you slice it open. You can also pick your own sauce, with four to choose from; the Keisuke Original Sauce (soya base), Teriyaki Mayonnaise Sauce, Demiglas Sauce or Oroshi Ponzu. This outlet also serves up free flow eggs, but they also have a variety of 20 osozai (Japanese side dishes) that is displayed buffet style.

Teppanyaki Hamburg Nihonbashi Keisuke Bettei
Address: 
72 Peck Seah Street, S079329
Opening hours: 
Daily 11.30am – 2.30pm and 5.30 – 10pm


All images from Keisuke Ramen and their various outlets