Sunday, August 1, 2010

Ippudo TAO opens at UE Square

Ippudo TAO is at UE Square facing Mohammed Sultan Road
I'm breaking from the Hong Kong travel series (I still have 16 more posts to go!) to bring you some Singapore news I'm quite excited about. Ramen chain Ippudo now has a second outlet here!

This surely is welcome news to fans who have been queueing at the first branch at Mandarin Gallery. Now we have a second location at which to enjoy the noodles.

This outlet is called Ippudo TAO, in partnership with TAO, a Japanese drum performance group that's taking the world by storm. They have been touring internationally, and performed at the 2004 and 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival (the world's largest arts festival). TAO was the only group to lead in ticket sales and their concerts were all sold out.


TAO martial drummers
We were treated to a half-hour performance of TAO earlier at the DBS Arts Centre - and I can tell you, it completely blew me away! This is an unprecedented new genre blending drum, dance and musical theatre with martial arts. They infuse exceptional energy, rhythm, sensual grace, and passion into a precisely choreographed sequences. The music, inspired by nature, is delightful.

I hear these guys train 12 hours a day, and it shows. Even demanding movements flow with ease like second nature. The eye candy extends to the good-looking performers. The fluid costumes too, show off how lean and muscular the troupe is. They are as much athletes as they are artists.

It's interesting to see that there are women as lead drummers too. Pint-sized Arisa Nishi shows powerful charisma, strength and femininity all at the same time.

And of the men, Takuya Era's mastery of the long silver stick is stunningly awesome! That's him above (front right). Photo from The Herald Australia - do head on over and read how monastic TAO members' training can be! And yet they all look very happy and radiant performing on stage.

Above all, the strength, vitality and joy they present will amaze and inspire you. I really don't have words that can do them justice. You absolutely have to see them in person! I hope they come to Singapore for a full-scale concert.



Here's a promotional video. See also nine more samples of their live performances on MrDejimaru's Youtube channel. Ippudo TAO will also showcase performances by TAO on video screens at this outlet.


Ramen King Shigemi Kawahara speaking to guests
At the opening party, I had the pleasure of meeting Ippudo CEO Shigemi Kawahara, also known as Ramen King. The back of his name card says "Everyone's smile is a source of power." I like that very much.

But hey, ramen and taiko drums? What do they have in common, you might ask? Well, Ippudo and TAO both want to bring smiles and a sense of the Japanese spirit to the world. To convey smiles, vigor, courage and vitality. That I think they both share and do well.


Appetisers included some really good pork cheek (left) and pork belly-wrapped corn kushiyaki (top right). The fried babycorn with green seaweed was nice too
Ippudo is also introducing kushiyaki (charcoal-grilled skewers) for its menu at this outlet. I thought they were pretty good. This pork-belly wrapped babycorn was juicy and crunchy at the same time. The pork slices (left) have got to be pork cheeks - they were so meltingly good! And the fried babycorn with seaweed is also an addictive snack.




Thanks to the kindness of strangers (Daniel, Ian and Amanda), I was able to take shots of all three ramen varieties
Thanks to the kindness of strangers seated next to me (Hi Daniel, Ian and Amanda! Hope you are reading this!), I was able to take shots of all three ramen varieties available at Ippudo TAO. They include two new flavours that Kawahara-san specially created in honour of TAO.


TAO Kuro (Black) - shoyu tonkotsu broth topped with Bara Chashu (pork belly), flavoured black fungus, spring onion, umami-dama (special blend miso paste) and garlic fragrant oil
TAO "Kuro" (Black) - Shoyu tonkotsu broth topped with Bara Chashu (pork belly), flavoured black fungus, spring onion, umami-dama (special blend miso paste) and garlic fragrant oil.


TAO Aka (Red) - Thin curly noodles in a tonkotsu soup blended with fish stock and spicy miso paste. Also has Bara Chashu (pork belly), spring onions and garlic oil
TAO "Aka" (Red) - Thin curly noodles in a tonkotsu soup blended with fish stock and spicy miso paste. Also has Bara Chashu (pork belly), spring onions and garlic oil.


Ippudo Shiro (White) - the original tonkotsu soup with Hakata-style thin noodles, Rosu Chashu (pork loin), cabbage, black fungus and spring onion
The signature Ippudo "Shiro" (White) is the original tonkotsu soup with Hakata-style thin noodles, Rosu Chashu (pork loin), cabbage, black fungus and spring onion.


The TAO Kuro comes with thick, chewy noodles
I ordered a TAO Kuro. I beheld it with reverence and took in the aroma in a long breath. The thick, chewy noodles form a good background to the robust broth. From the first mouthful, you know it's an excellent bowl of ramen. It's a deep, mellow enjoyment that lasts til the last drop (and then you want some more). That's what comfort food should be.


Wash it all down with some fine Sapporo draft beer!
Wash it all down with some fine Sapporo draft beer! Always so refreshing. I am definitely coming back for more ramen and kushiyaki.

Big thanks to Cheryl of Ippudo for inviting me to this soft opening.

Ippudo TAO's official grand opening will be on 10 Aug. Please note their opening hours below:

IPPUDO TAO

207 River Valley Road
#01-55/56 UE Square (facing Mohamed Sultan Road)
Singapore 238275
Tel: +65 6887-5315

Opening hours:
2-4 Aug: 11am to 3pm
5 Aug: 5pm til midnight (last order 11pm)
6-7 Aug: 5pm to 2am (last order 1am)
8 Aug: 5pm to 11pm (last order 10pm)
9 Aug: not listed, but let me check

10 Aug grand opening and thereafter:

Mon-Thur: 11am to 3pm; 5pm to midnight (last order 11pm)
Fri-Sat: 11am to 3pm; 5pm to 2am (last order 1am)
Sun: 11am to 11pm (last order 10pm)
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10 comments

  1. will diners get to enjoy tao performances while slurping up their ramen?

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  2. Stargirl, on video screens yes...wish the TAO chaps could be stationed here to do live performances!

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  3. I first ate Ippudo in Tokyo a couple years ago on a cold Winter's day. Ever since then, I would always make sure to grab a meal there when I am in Tokyo. When they opened their first restaurant here at Mandarin Gallery, I was disappointed - a few important elements were missing... This new restaurant looks a little bit like a cross between a ramen stall and a yakitori joint... I don't know if it would work for me. Need to check it out.

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  4. Dun mind me but that Takuya Era looks hawt!

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  5. Shirley: I've not had Ippudo in its home country but I do know this - we can't fight with Tokyo. We just can't. Japan is magical that way. Whether it's the produce, seasoning, or the "ki" they impart into their food, everything just tastes better in Japan. I had the magic of TAO to help me along in my experience here, but let me know what you think.

    CT: Hoo yeah, baby! He is! You have to see him LIVE in person. It's easy to spot Takuya even in a big group, because he's the one with the best muscular definition, that "wuxia" martial arts magnetism and a ponytail (which he wears well). He appears quite a bit in the promo video too - just look for the flashy silver stick twirling, and some happy drumming scenes. But really, the entire team is amazing. I so want to see them again...

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  6. I went to ippudo Mandarin Gallery when it first open and I was impressed. It was pretty near to the taste to those I tried in Japan. However recently I went there again and ordered the same ramen, but it was a total disappointment. Like most Singapore restaurant, they are not able to keep consistent standard.

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  7. Even though the standard is not there. But the staff there especially a guy name Eugene, his service is good.
    I've been to many restaurant never come across the service crew giving out the thought of the day except at Ippudo Tao.

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  8. I just called to make a reservation after reading your review and guess what?
    The staff refused to let me make a reservation for 2 people.
    The Filippino lady on the phone insisted that reservations have to be for 3 or more.
    I then asked what would happen to me and my friend if we showed up and it was super crowded?
    She replied 'you'll have to queue.'
    I told her the policy is ridiculous. I'm calling in advance to make a reservation and am not allowed to because it's for 2 and am supposed to end up queuing?
    I've only heard of restaurants who outright do not accept reservations and I'm fine with that, at least there is consistency there. But only 3 and above??
    Thats not all.

    I then told her that the system is silly because I can tell her over the phone that my reservation is for 3 and then show up as only 2 pax and claim the last person couldn't make it last minute and what would happen? Do I get my reserved table or are you gonna make me queue? She just said 'so do you have reservation for 3? If yes, ok I book. If not, queue.'

    Terrible phone etiquette and ridiculous policies will spoil even the best cuisine in the world.

    Disappointed.

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  9. I agreed with you. Once i called up that is what they told me. sorry sir for reservation is 3 the minimum. WHAT IS THIS??? Ippudo you claim you're the best I doubt so.

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  10. Good music deserves good food. Mistakes can be done. IPPUDO is the best.

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