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Another exciting new launch, Haruyama Udon showcases a variety of handmade artisanal udon types, each from different regions of Japan. Launching their flagship store in the newly renovated Tampines 1, I just had to check the place out as someone who’s a sucker for all things Japanese (and noodles!).
Located in the mall’s basement, the space boasts a minimalist outlook with calming earth tones. As I took my seat and settled in, I could immediately tell I was in for a treat – spoiler alert, I was right!
First up, the Oden (S$10) is a traditional Japanese fishcake stew in a soy-dashi broth with radishes and an egg. This dish was definitely my ‘chicken soup for the soul’. Each bite of the ingredients was perfectly cooked, and each sip of the broth was comforting and nourishing – something I would eat at home on a rainy day.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Sriracha Mayo Tako Karaage (S$10) was another great bite. As someone who loves octopus, it was nice to see it presented in karaage form. With its crisp exterior on the batter and the chewy octopus, this deep-fried perfection was simply addictive. The sriracha mayo, while a nice spicy accompaniment, was a tad too sour and salty for my liking, so maybe dip it in small doses if you want to give it a try.
Moving on to the Udon dishes, I was presented with 5 different dishes, each showcasing the udon type Haruyama Udon carried. First off, the Yasai Ten Udon (S$14) was a simplistic dish in a classic dashi broth, using Inaniwa udon, topped with naruto fishcakes and seaweed, and served with a side of vegetable tempura.
This felt like a very clean classic dish – one that I would have if I was craving something simple and no-fuss. As I took a sip of the broth, I likened the feeling to a mother’s hug – yes, it was that comforting.
Next up, the Spicy Basil Chicken (S$16), featuring the Hoto udon with the classic Thai Basil Minced Chicken, naruto fishcake, and topped with an onsen egg to form this fusion masterpiece. This was the highlight of the day as everything was so well put together. Usually, when it comes to fusion dishes, I’m a little apprehensive as not all fusions work – but my god, this worked so well.
The noodles were nice and chewy, the heat and flavours from the basil chicken were just right, and the onsen egg elevated the whole experience with a certain level of creaminess. Needless to say, I demolished the plate and if given the chance, I would’ve gone for seconds.
The third udon dish, Ebi Yaki Udon (S$16), showcased the Sanuki udon in this zi char inspired stir fry with prawns, cabbages, carrots, and egg. At first impression, it looked like something I could see in a zi char restaurant, with the smell and taste affirming my thoughts on the dish. It was incredibly flavourful with a certain amount of wok hei to the noodles too – another dish I would probably come back for next time.
Next up, the Himokawa udon dishes were presented in two different ways. The White Curry Udon (S$14) showcased the udon in a classic Japanese curry gravy with a creamy potato mousse on top. After mixing everything together, the result was a savoury creamy base with a good amount of heat, with the vegetables and bits of chicken beautifully cooked. While it was a tad overwhelming for me due to the carb overload, I could definitely see it being a perfectly filling meal on its own.
Last but certainly not least, the Tenzaru (S$16) featured the Himokawa udon presented in a water bath with a bamboo-like strainer in the centre of the plate to drain the excess water from the noodles. On a separate plate, there were 2 different dipping sauces – the classic savoury mentsuyu and the creamy, nutty goma dare (AKA sesame dressing) for you to dip the noodles in before taking a bite. If you think that’s all, there’s also a side of vegetable tempura for an additional bite.
Overall, my time at Haruyama Udon was definitely one for the history books. Not only did I get to savour dishes of incredible quality and passion, but the fact that it’s at an accessible price range was just a bonus – this would be another place that I would for sure return to.
From Michelin stalls to satay bee hoon & lei cha, Hawkers’ Street at Tampines 1 is a must-visit!
