Shinagawa

You can’t get much closer to Tanjong Pagar station than this, making this Japanese ramen bar and izakaya on International Plaza a classic of the genre. Hop in, slurp down a bowl, guzzle an Asahi and pop a couple of skewers and hop back out to Anson Road again to catch the train to work or back home, sarariman-style. That Shinagawa is frequented by Singapore’s Japanese community only underlines the authenticity at work here, but Singapore locals go mad for the signature char siew ramen, with the pork broth robust and able to carry its weight from first spoonful to last. Express bento box lunches are also on offer, as well as great sushi and sashimi selections. Getting deeper into the menu, fans of Chinese fried rice should try the traditional Japanese version – chahan or yakimeshi, best accompanied by the highly prestigious Kiku-Masamune sake, first brewed in the 17th century and one of Nihon’s best.