Tampopo Restaurant

Went to tampopo twice in 2 weeks! First was with ah T n the second visit was with the Owl. Why do i love tampopo? Seriously I don't know. I think there are better ramen out  there like, Ken Ramen, but still I find myself frequenting Tampopo. Anyway havent had the ramen craving for quite some time. But i am back with vengeance! 

K anyway this was the Ramen I had with Ah T and little S last week. Original Black Pig Shabu-Shabu ramen. Mmmmm it is GOOD! I like milk-based pork bone ramen! Very flavourful! And the black pork is thinly-sliced, shabu shabu style, unlike the usual slab of char siew. The noodles is springy, but not too springy, just the way i like it. Ahh the highlight of the meal was the egg! You add $1.20 for the egg as it doesnt come with it. The egg is lightly flavoured with soya-sauce. Once you sink your teeth into it, the yellow, runny yoke would peeked out of the whites. Best Tamago amongst all the ramen joint!

This is our side of black pig Gyoza. 
I had the original Kyushu Ramen on my second visit to Tampopo with the Owl. Again milk-based pork bone ramen top with cod roe, a slab of char siew and an egg. I am a fan of Kyushu Ramen, dont really like the Hokkaido Ramen as much but I can't wait for my Hokkaido trip in Dec where i would go on a Ramen binge.
Very fatty slab of char siew

This was what the Owl had, black pig (dont-know-what) ramen. Hmm actually if i were to do a taste test of normal pork and black pig, I wonder if I would be able to tell the difference. Ermm anyone willing to sponsor my taste test??
Tampopo Restaurant

Liang Court

11:30-22:00 

Big D's Grill

Made a swift escape to Big D's Grill today. Have been having the strong urge to try this place since reading ieatishootipost.sg posting. I told myself I need, I must, I will have the Kurobuta Pork!

I was told I have to wait 20min for the chef to fire up the grill, hence I ordered the soup of the day, clam chowder, to keep me occupied. Clam chowder was ordinary, in fact a little diluted but I love the very 'garlicy' toasted bread. 

Ohhh this is what i came for. For the sake of Lynn, she has ordered me to explain what IS the kurobuta. 

Kurobuta are Berkshire Pigs. Berkshire pigs are rare breed of pigs originating from Britain. They are "Britain's oldest pig breed". Kurobuta (Black Pig) is the Japanese term of the Berkshire breed given to Japan by English diplomats in the 1800s. Like the Kurobuta beef's analogues (Wagyu Beef) the pork is well known for its superb meat marbling. The character Napoleon in George Orwell is a Berkshire. =)
Hmm so how do i find the cute black pig? First bite (with the fats) very tender, full of flavour, juicy, best piece of pork I have ever eaten. Second bite with the apple sauce that was given, wow! Perfect match of both the fatty meat and the tangy apple sauce, really wonderful complement! Match made in heaven! Third bite still very delicious. Fourth bite taste like Char Siew! Fifth bite, somehow without the fats the meat seems a little too dry and too salty for my palate.  Tasted abit like smoked ham? Towards the end, I had to drown my meat in the apple sauce cos it was too salty and dry. As always the first two bites are always the best! Whatever it is, worth trying at least once!
One of the side was pumpkin mash, the other side I'm not too sure, some sort of beans I guess, maybe Pinto beans? Anyway the 'i dont know what' was certainly better than the pumpkin mash. Nevertheless both the sides were unique and good, not your usual french fries, bakes beans that you get in a kopi thiam stall. 
Yes! this is the pinkish meat that is characteristic of Kurobuta!
Finally! Homemade dessert, Bonet! Mention ieatishoot and you get a free dessert worth $4 for every $30 spend. This I must say is the highlight of the meal! I am not someone with a sweet tooth, but this smooth, rich, bitter sweet chocolate pudding with caramel sauce is simply heavenly! It slides into the back of your throat and gives your mouth a sweet bitter feeling. Certainly more than satisfy my week long craving of dark chocolate!

For a hawker stall this is not cheap, Pork cost $36, but I guess if you are going to have the Black Pig in a restaurant, it will easily come up to about $50. They have other items like beer battered snapper fish, bangers and mash, beef goulash, boneless chicken leg, pasta etc. Oh you can join the facebook: Fans of Big D's Grill for more information. 

Big D's Grill

Blk 18 Bedok South Road (Opposite Temasek JC, far end kopitiam)

01-87

Daily: 11:30 - 14:30

             1800  - 2130

Thurs: 1730 - 2130

tel: 96627040

Final Random photo: Crystal Jade Korean n Tom Tom

A and i found $100, R said that we had to spend it asap... so here i spent it on a $50 meal... Tom Tom black Pig at Central.

Very juicy, succulent piece of pork. Fatty but very as the Teo chews say 'Pang'

Another Big Pig meal with A. Korean food at Crystal Jade Takashimaya. We ordered a set menu for 3-4 for the 2 of us.