The months of May and June this year were truly challenging months – not only because of the long holiday that left us thinking what to do, but also because of Keisuke’s annual Keisuke Legend challenge!

This year, with more outlets to conquer (a total of 8 ramen stores!), our members faced a tougher time in their attempts to be the next Keisuke legend. And with 3 tiers of achievements to hit, most members were only able to clear the first tier – the Black Card! Yours truly, however, managed to barely hit the second tier – the Gold Card! This is the journey of my road to (almost) Keisuke Legend!

Lobster King @ Clarke Quay

Lobster King is one of the latest additions to Keisuke Takeda’s chain of creative and localised ramen shops, utilising the savoury taste of lobsters as its broth. Located in the center of Clarke Quay, it is quite appropriately open until 5am daily! Also, as expected of the location, it serves ice-cold Japanese beer and other Japanese liquor, so you get a hearty Japanese ramen and alcohol to pair it with at one store’s convenience!

On to the ramen itself, this shop was the one I looked forward to the most out of all the outlets when it first opened. However, it was only on this day that I got to try their spicy miso lobster ramen, as all previous visits had me facing the sold out sign. To all who have not tried the lobster ramen, first and foremost, be warned that it bares a similar resemblance to our local “prawn mee”. This is because the way they get the flavorr from the crustacean shells are the same, by boiling the shells for a long time with other herbs and spices! However, the lobster flavor is very apparent here, and it truly amazed that lobster could be utilised to make ramen! There is no lobster meat topping however, but toppings do include prawn wanton and other garnitures.

My final conclusion for Lobster King is that the favourite is still the regular Rich Soup Lobster Ramen, despite my anticipation for Spicy Miso, as I felt the latter was slightly too overwhelming even for my taste. I strongly do recommend everyone who is looking for a different ramen experience to try this outlet! (At the end of my challenge, it was already my sixth time visiting the outlet!)

Tonkotsu King @ Orchid Hotel, Tanjong Pagar, Paya Lebar and Parkway Parade

The very first Keisuke outlet in Singapore, this is still a fan favourite amongst many for its true-to-style Tonkotsu ramen, at an affordable price with a variety of flavor choices to choose from. My favourite here is the – you guessed it – Red Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen! With chewy chashu, rich broth and al dente noodles all blending in perfectly, this is one of my go-to places for tonkotsu ramen! Only problem is that, being the most popular outlet, it is almost always crowded so be there during off-peak periods to avoid the long queues!

*Parkway Parade’s outlet is Tonkotsu King Matsuri, which serves near identical menus, only with different toppings such as cheese and pork slices, as well as offering an addition of chicken broth ramen!

Kani King @ Cathay Cineleisure

The latest addition to the ever-growing list of Keisuke branches in Singapore, ramen chef Takeda Keisuke opened a new ramen outlet including one of Singapore’s favourites – crab! Using crab broth in comparison to its other Lobster outlet, he offers diners an alternative crustacean broth for those craving for a taste of crab! Using specially imported swimming crabs and chicken bones, the broth is exceptionally rich and creamy, making it a sure hearty meal for diners looking for comfort food at the end of their long shopping spree in Orchard!

I personally had the Spicy Crab Broth Ramen on my first visit, and the Kani Tama Ramen (Crab Broth Ramen with Mixed Fried Omelette) on my subsequent visit. The Kani Tama Ramen was too heavy to my liking, but it is sure to satisfy customers who do not want to be overwhelmed by the taste of crab and also loves eggs. The regular ramen, on the other hand, was very flavorful and the taste of crab was in fact more apparent than the Lobster King counterpart!

Tori King @ 100AM, Tanjong Pagar

I’ll admit – this outlet used to be my least favourite as my first visit during its opening did not leave me with a good impression. However, I think they took feedback and the desire to improve on their dishes very seriously, and this challenge gave me an opportunity to try their improved ramen. And it truly was worth giving them a second chance.

As I dug into the chicken wing, the meat was so succulent and tender that I could not believe this was the same outlet I fiercely rejected stepping foot into again. As my friends reminded me that I still had my ramen to finish, I scooped a spoonful of that rich chicken broth and noodles and slurped it up, and I was instantly hit with regret that I did not return earlier to this amazing creative work of art. This is, to me, my new favourite Keisuke ramen, and I strongly recommend everyone to try the Black Spicy Tori Ramen, as the richness of the thick broth and the different spices came together to create a very unique umami that is hard to find in other food!

Keisuke Tokyo @ Suntec City

Kani King was actually not the first shop to utilise crab as its broth in its Keisuke chains. It was actually Keisuke Tokyo, located in Suntec City. Its unique Crab Broth Ramen flavor is a lot more clean and straightforward, yet the broth itself is thicker and more concentrated, making this an excellent choice for those looking for something with a strong taste. Only shame about it was its choice of noodles, as I felt they were not the right type that could absorb the rich flavor, but regardless it is still a great dish that sets itself apart from the sea of tonkotsu broth ramens!

Tonkotsu King Four Seasons @ Bugis Village

Offering four seasonal themed ramen types (hence the aptly-called Four Seasons), there’s definitely a ramen for everyone here, be it the rich tonkotsu broth, a refreshingly different cheese topping or ramen with minced pork topping. My personal favourite is the “Haru” (Spring) ramen, with its cheese and basil topping. It creates a mild yet creamy texture, making it my go-to ramen choice when I don’t want to feel too full from a meal.

Over the course of two weeks, I managed to visit all outlets and conquer a total of 16 bowls, allowing me to redeem my Gold VIP card, as well as a $40 Keisuke voucher and invitations to future Keisuke events! Of course, I would not have been able to complete this challenge if not for my fellow JAC friends who attempted the challenge together and made it a lot more fun!

Missed out on the Keisuke Challenge this year? Fret not, for JAC has you covered! This year, ALL JAC members get to enjoy the benefits of the tier 1 Black VIP Card from Keisuke Challenge, which is one free Green Tea Cola for the cardholder per visit! So head down to your nearest Keisuke outlet and start on your own Keisuke journey with you and your friends!

Written by: Ryang Ho Sung

Keisuke Legend Challenge!