Marutama Ramen at The Central has established itself as a premier destination for authentic Japanese ramen in Singapore since its opening, earning a strong 4.2-star rating on TripAdvisor and recognition as one of the city\s top ramen establishments through their unwavering commitment to traditional preparation methods and high-quality ingredients imported directly from Japan. Located at Level 3 of The Central complex, this popular restaurant represents Japanese culinary craftsmanship at its finest, specializing in rich chicken paitan broths that offer a distinctive alternative to traditional tonkotsu pork-based ramen.
The restaurant\s signature offering centers around their meticulously crafted chicken-based broths, including their famous Zenbu Nosé Ramen at $20++ featuring creamy chicken broth called toripai tan, alongside spicy chicken, nuts, and prawn stock options that showcase their dedication to extracting maximum flavor through specialized pressure cooking techniques. Their commitment to purity means every bowl is prepared without MSG or preservatives, using collagen-rich chicken stock that requires extended cooking time to achieve its signature thickness and depth of flavor. The restaurant pairs these exceptional broths with springy thin noodles made from specially selected aromatic flour imported directly from Japan, creating the perfect texture foundation for their carefully balanced ramen compositions.
What distinguishes Marutama Ramen is their philosophy of creating clean, additive-free ramen that celebrates the natural flavors of premium ingredients while maintaining affordability with prices ranging from $13++ to $20++. Despite the pronounced "chickeness" that some diners note in their signature broths, the restaurant has cultivated a devoted following who appreciate the rich, slightly creamy consistency that resembles collagen soup, enhanced by perfectly prepared runny eggs and tender pork slices that melt in the mouth. Operating with extended hours until 9:00 PM on weekends and 8:30 PM on weekdays, Marutama continues to attract queues during peak hours, testament to their success in bringing authentic Japanese ramen culture to Singapore while maintaining the exacting standards that have made them a beloved fixture in the local dining scene.
My food rating guide:
2.5/5 ‐-------> Average taste
5/5 ‐--------> Scrumptious! (My comfort food! 🤩)
An excellent bowl of chicken broth ramen! Al dente noodle, rich creamy flavourful broth, melt-in-your-mouth char siu, well seasoned soft yolk egg, and refreshing spring onion. The spice level in the spicy ramen is mild and doesn't overwhelm the soup flavour. Well balanced.
Their Yaki Char Siu is heavenly. The Kakuni is soft and flavourful. The Sui Gyoza is delectable. The Char Siu Gohan tender pork and appetising pickled radish paired excellently. The Daikon is soft, refreshing, and well flavoured.
Don't forget to nibble on their complimentary crunchy garlic. It bursts with fragrant, garlicky flavour.
The dining ambience emits the chill Japanese ramen shop vibe. Cosy and with warmth.
Recommeded items 👍:
Spicy Marutama (egg) 5/5 🤩
Yaki Char Siu 5/5 🤩
Sui Gyoza 4.7/5
Char Siu Gohan 4.8/5
Kakuni 4.6/5
Daikon 4.4/5
The restaurant food averages at 4.4/5
CK C
Ramen were rather unique and tasted delicious. Portion was also generous. Staff were very friendly. Unfortunately, there was some funky smell in the restaurant.
Hiang Ar
The chicken broth is incredibly rich and flavourful. Adding the fried garlic condiment makes the soup packs with a umami punch. The chashu is tender and the surface is well-marinated with pepper. The noodles are perfectly cooked—not soggy, with a satisfying bite. Surprisingly, my favorite part was the seaweed—fresh, different seaweed texture.
Alvin Lim
Marutama Ramen serves up a distinctive chicken-based ramen that offers a lighter alternative to Singapore's usual pork-dominated ramen scene. Their signature broth strikes a delicate balance - rich in umami yet clean on the palate, with a subtle sweetness that lingers pleasantly. The springy, house-made noodles complement the broth perfectly, maintaining excellent texture throughout the meal. While the chashu is beautifully tender, some diners might wish for more generous portions given the S$15-S$20 price range. The minimalist eatery focuses squarely on the food, with efficient service and tightly packed counter seating typical of authentic ramen shops. During peak lunch and dinner hours, be prepared to queue. While the prices position it as a premium casual option, the quality of the broth makes it worthwhile for ramen purists seeking something different from heavy tonkotsu styles. A solid choice when you want flavorful ramen that won't leave you feeling weighed down.
Kevin KW
Tried the Marutama ramen, the chicken broth is decent and flavourful although in the spectrum of ramen shops it’s on the lighter side so you can drink all the soup without feeling thirsty . If you compare it’s Quite different from the ramen shops in Japan as an example where the soup more salty but very flavourful, similarly for the noodles, it uses noodles that are on the thinner side also. Nothing to complain about
Overall enjoyed my lunch
