Im never guilty of being a follower of fads, even when it comes to food. Well, I got hooked on the froyo craze but I stayed clear of the macarons, donuts, cupcakes, bubble teas, etc. craze back then.
However, the recent ramen mania got me all noodled up inside as well.
Just a week before Europe, I had Gantetsu Ramen for lunch followed by Menya Mushasi for dinner on the very same day. Blame the proximity of 1 Utama to my house or it could be that both were just superb ramen outlets.
The very next day, KC (ulric) dragged me to Pavilion for Ramen Santouka, saying its one of the best in KL at the moment and my ramen ramen experience is not complete without it.
I took his word for it; and ended up slurping the thin eggy strands cheerfully. Now I have him to thank, for indeed this post wouldnt have come about as Santouka; being the furthest from home, wouldnt have been possible without his insistence.
Last is Yamagoya Ramen in Solaris Dutamas. I sampled it as my last lunch prior to my flight to Europe and now that Im back, I compiled all of these into ONE table of short notes, as I realized there are plenty of other detailed blogposts and thus my post may sound repetitively already.
Heres my short summary. Perhaps a longer review will follow; after Im done blogging about my France (Paris) Netherlands (Amsterdam) Belgium (Antwerp) trip!
The number 1 -4 denotes my personal ranking of preference for each component of a bowl of ramen between the 4 outlets.
Menya MusashiGantetsu RamenRamen SantoukaYamagoyaBroth1. Best murky soup with incredible depth of flavour.Unfortunately, its the most oily one too.2. Though the depth of flavour wasnt as great as Menyas, it close to being my favourite as it is less oily and the flavour was distinctive enough.3. Overall the broth here is the saltiest.I couldnt eat the Kara Miso; it w! as that bad for me. Funnily enough, my Shio (salt) ramen was tolerable.4. The broth somehow lacked character, though tasty enough.In conclusion, Yamagoyas soups are less complex.Noodles1. Chewy, thick and very fresh tasting noodles3. Thin, a bit stringyand springy noodles almost alike our local wantan noodles2. Springy with a firm bite.Less of the stringy texture; but softer instead.4. Thin springy noodles. Almost similar to Gantetsu. My preference goes to Gantetsu.Pork2. 2 big slices of tender1. The pork slices are tastier, owing perhaps to the marination.3. I find the pork slices too salty; the ones in the ramen as well as the pork cheeks.4. Thinner slices, more streaks of fat. Taste was pretty forgettable.Egg2. Lovely, though on the 2nd visit we got overcooked eggs, which was replaced quickly after I spoke to the Chef.I need to revisit for the eggs!
However, it looked really good, rivaling Santoukas from what we peeked from the other tables.1. The most well made soft-boiled eggs from this list.
The egg white is fully cooked, but the yolk retains a molten consistency. Areas surrounding the yolk remained wobbly too.3. Decent effort, but still incomparable to the other 2.Portion1. I love the portion here the best. The noodles are thicker and chewier thus giving the most volume. To top it off, 2 large slices of pork are given per bowl!2. A good satisfying portion, both noodles and meat.3. Smallest and cost is considerably expensive per portion compared to the rest.4. Satisfying portion and comparable to Gantetshus.Price1. Best value for both taste and portion!2. I do not mind the price for the quality and taste, especially for the pork!3. Seriously, why are the portions so small??4. With so many choices, Yamagoya would be last on my list to re-visit.CONCLUSION:Love the ramen, like the broth but will omit the o! il next time as the slick of oil over my noodles gets a little sickening at the end for me.I dislike stringy noodles in general, but I love the pork slices here. Service was good as well.No re-visit for me. The price is a factor, another is the sodium levels which is too much for me.I applaud them for their efforts; but with Menya and Gantetsu there isnt really a big drawing factor to come back, especially since prices are similar.
Disclaimer:
All outlets visits were made within ONE week, except the last 2 bowls from Menya Mushashi which was today.
All are self paid meals. Owners were not aware of our visit.
An average of 2 bowls of ramen were ordered at each outlet; one standard or signature and another depending on mood. 
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Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Kara Miso (S) RM24.50
Shio Toroniku (S) RM33.50 (with added pork cheeks)
Karaage RM10.00
Komi Tamago (Egg) RM2.00
10% service charge.
Shio Toroniku (S) RM33.50 (with added pork cheeks).
Kara Miso (S) RM24.50.
Karaage. RM10.00. Lip smacking juicy within yet crispy on the outside.
THIS WAS GOOD!
Thick cuts of pork per bowl of ramen.
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Menya Mushashi Ramen
1st round:
Mushashi Ramen RM26.00
Chashu Gohan RM9.00
Iced Green Tea RM2.00
Chasu Gohan. RM9.00.
Mushashi Ramen RM26.00.
2nd round:
Aka Musashi Ramen RM26.00 (with chilli oil)
Kuro Ajitama Ramen RM24.00 (special oil of fried shallots and garlic)
Iced Green Tea RM2.00
Water free of charge.
Service charge 10%, 6% Government tax.
Kuro Ajitama Ramen RM24.00 (special oil of fried shallots and garlic).
The failed soft boiled eggs.
It was replaced w! ith thes e. Much better!
Aka Musashi Ramen RM26.00 (with chilli oil).
I will order this next time! It wasnt spicy but comes with a bit of heat enough to make the dish shine. In addition to that, this wasnt as oily as my Kuro Ajitama.
Finally got a picture with him! 
I couldnt finish mine. 
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Yamagoma Ramen
Mukashi Special Ramen RM24.00
Black Garlic Ramen RM22.00
Green Tea RM2.00
Service charge 10%, no Government tax.
Mukashi Special Ramen RM24.00.
Black Garlic Ramen RM22.00.
Thin pork slices with streaks of fat.
Cleaner broth.
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Gantetsu Ramen
Hokkaido Spicy Miso RM25.11 (10% opening special)
Hokkaido Tonkotsu Black RM23.31 (10% discount opening special)
Green Tea RM1.90
Service charge 10%, not sure about Government tax.
Hokkaido Spicy Miso RM25.11 (10% opening special).
It wasnt spicy but did deliver a little sting.
Hokkaido Tonkotsu Black RM23.31 (10% discount opening special).
It was supposed to be black garlic soup but this was more of a drizzle of garlic oil. But the pork slices were delic! ious and my favourite out of the 4 outlets.
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Menya Musashi and Gantetsu Ramen,
Eat Paradise,
2nd Floor,
Isetan 1 Utama
Yamagoma Ramen
A2-G2-8, Solaris Dutamas
Santouka
PavilionKLs Tokyo Street.
So thats it! Im scared of ramen now!
** To add to this, heres along ago post when the ramen revolution started in KL Marutama Ramen, Fahrenheit 88 click HERE.
And if anyone ask:
What about Ikuzo Ramen in SS2?
My reply: Absolutely incomparable to the 4 above, including Marutama. The difference is so vast it should not be mentioned in the same post.
Now.. which one is YOUR FAVOURITE?
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