SS2 Food | SoloMen Cafe - Japanese Ramen Donburi Coffee Dessert Cafe

SS2 Food - SS2 is indeed a popular area for cafe hoppers which normally serves Pizza, Burgers and Pasta besides coffee and cakes but this recently open cafe, SoloMen Cafe in SS2 is rather unique in a way. Instead of serving these standard cafe dishes; SoloMen Cafe serves Japanese popular dishes.

SoloMen Cafe which is located at 16, Jalan SS2/24, Petaling Jaya, 47300 Selangor has its origin from the popular Ramen Tei Japanese Restaurant in Shah Alam which has a history of more than 20 years serving Japanese dishes. SoloMen Facebook

The Chef at the SoloMen Cafe has mastered the skills to make its own Ramen; that is consistent and have a chewy and springy texture. Not many Ramen shops make its' own Ramen as it is quite a tedious task but it ensures the consistent quality of the Ramen that it serves.

Solomen Cafe concept is a very Internet friendly cafe; besides having a fast Internet access, there are many power sockets which come equipped with USB charging enabling people to work in the cafe.

The first dish for our review is the Pan Fried Gyoza (RM11.90). I am not a real fan of Gyoza as I find that not many chefs have gotten the right balance in terms of the gyoza skin and its filling. At SoloMen, we were told that the Gyoza skin is in-house made too, while the filling has been marinated. So, if you just taste the Gyoza without any sauce; you will be able to taste its' natural flavour. At other restaurants, the sauce will come with sho-yu but here the concoction is made up of chilli oil, imported vinegar and sesame seed.

For fans of fried Japanese dishes; can order the Tonkatsu (RM20.90) which is a Deep Fried marinated Pork Chop with bread crumbs. The outer layer was fried to a crisp while the meat texture which was marinated was still juicy and went well with the sweet sesame sauce that came along.

One of the thing about SoloMen Cafe, their Japanese dishes has some Chinese influence in it as there are places in Japan which serve these dishes and our next dish which is Hoikoro (RM16.90) is one such dish. This dish looks like the Chinese stir fried vegetables with sliced pork but instead of using oyster sauce which the Chinese do, it is using a miso paste. The miso taste is not very strong but does blend in with the condiments. Best eaten with a bowl of white rice which you can order.

After our side orders, we move on to the Ramen, here we got an opportunity to taste 3 Ramen; the first which to me was the best was the Negi Miso Ramen (RM20.90). When the Ramen was laid on the table, it looks quite plain with thin strips of Cha Siew and leek, but upon tasting the broth, it has a thick strong taste and texture which went perfectly with the in-house made Ramen. Partnering with the finely sliced leek adds a complimentary taste to the broth.

Our second order of Ramen; is the Tonkotsu Ramen (RM20.90). Before our order of this Ramen, we were told by the Chef, that their version of this popular soup based is different from those served at other restaurants; in that the soup based is not the typical thick and strong meaty flavour but rather a more subtle taste which is boiled in low flame. It is also topped with a boiled egg, seaweed and slice Cha Siew. Another notable difference is the use of chopped preserved sweet vegetable that the Chef has added which infused a totally different taste to the Ramen.

Our last noodle is the Gomoku Hiyashi Chuka (RM18.90) which is a cold noodle. The condiment which was sweet corn, sliced cucumber, sliced Cha Siu, sliced artificial crab meat and vegetables are layout in a nice round pattern. The Ramen is served with chilled vinaigrette sho-yu broth.

After the Ramen session, we move on to taste the Don (rice) dishes, the first of which is the Hokkaido Buta Don (RM22.90). The sliced pork; are first pan fried and then coated with the special in-house made; sweet sauce which was perfect with the white rice. It has that smoky taste and its aroma alone was sufficient for you to drool on this simple rice dish. This is a very popular dish in Hokkaido; that is why it is aptly named.

Our last main dish is the Beef Gyudon (RM24.50). This is another one of the Japanese popular dishes. So, we have gotten to taste after all the pork dishes that we had earlier. Loaded with chunks of onion in a homemade ginger sauce, it has all the flavours that one expect from this dish.

For desserts, you can choose from the variety of cakes that are available at the counter or you may choose their imported ice-cream. We decided on the Matcha With Azuki (RM10.90). Besides the green tea ice -cream and azuki, this dessert came with corn flakes chips that add a crunchy texture to the ice-cream. We like the strong flavours of the matcha ice cream.

To end our meal today, I ordered the Matcha Latte. For diehard coffee drinkers, SoloMen Cafe also serves a variety of the coffee and tea.

SoloMen Cafe SS2 Location Address Map

Ramen Ten Tokyo Shin Sushi Japanese Restaurant Jaya 33 Petaling Jaya - Fusion Japanese Ramen With A Twist Review

We had tasted many version of Ramen from different Ramen shop all over Malaysia, Best Restaurant To Eat was invited to preview a special type of Ramen typically served with a twist at Ramen Ten & Shin Tokyo Sushi located at Jaya 33 Lot PG-02B Level Podium Ground Floor Jalan Semangat Section 13 46100 Petaling Jaya.

The setting of Ramen Ten & Shin Tokyo Sushi is simple, clean and modern Japanese setting.

At Ramen Ten, they like to take Ramen eating to a different level; i.e. by giving it a new twist with a different flavours that suits the Asian and in particular the Malaysian market as reviewed by us with the special Ramen Dishes.

To start off our review; we had the Soft Shell Crab To(&) Salmon Skin Salad RM 23.90. The serving of the soft shell was of generous portion as unlike some that we have eaten it is covered with a lot of batter and you can't really figure out whether there is any crab there.

Fresh iceberg lettuce and green coral salad adorn with deep fried whole soft shell crab, crispy salmon skin, cherry tomatoes, carrots topped with a creamy Ni Tamago on an in house made sesame sauce gives it a tantalize taste while the crispy salmon skin and soft shell crab gives the crunch for this refreshing salad.

We then proceeded to taste the Ramen Ten - Santen Sashimi Moriawase (RM 33.90) which consists of the Salmon Sashimi, Salmon Belly Sashimi, Tuna (Maguro) Sashimi. This sashimi platter is served on a bed of shaved ice and decorated in a very nice bowl that pleases our eyes.

As mentioned earlier, most Ramen outlet usually sells the either the Shio (Salt), Shoyu (Soy sauce) or Miso but at Ramen Ten, their chef has created a special Dry version of Ramen which is Chicken Teriyaki Dry Ramen (RM 16.90). 

This is quite similar to the Wantan Dry Noodles but with a variation of using Ramen and then to add it up with an in house made Teriyaki sauce which was of the right balance in terms of sweetness level for my taste bud.

The Ramen was cooked to the right texture and retains the springy feels when eaten, while the succulent chicken thigh as the meat based was perfectly grilled with the teriyaki sauce. This Ramen is served with fresh lettuce, carrot and chopped scallion.

Another twist of the Ramen that we tasted here is the Tom Yum Chicken Katsu Ramen (RM 22.05). The soup flavour was very rich and has the right balance in terms of spicy and the sourish level.

It is served with a half tamago lava egg, lime. nori sheets, chopped scallion and some bean sprout and carrots for an added crunch. This Ramen set comes with the Chicken Katsu which is a deep fried breaded crunchy chicken thigh.

For those that prefer rice over Ramen, you can try out Chicken Teriyaki Don Set {RM 17.90), as the Chicken Teriyaki is the same as the earlier Teriyaki Ramen but now replace by the Japanese rice.

This Don Set comes served with 3 side dishes which is a mini salad, miso soup and a half of Ni Tamago (Lava egg).

If you have a big appetite, you can opt to order the Deluxe Combo Set (RM 28.90) which is a combination sets that complete an entire taste experience. In this set, you can taste the different Japanese dishes all in one.

This Deluxe set allows you to taste a little of everything starting with a sashimi, followed by a cold Udon noodles, Japanese rice, a Chawanmushi, some fried tempura, a california roll, miso soup, salad and fruits to complete your entire meal. One thing about the tempura that is served here, We like the light coating and the crisp of the batter which gives a very distinctive crunch when eaten.

Next, we had an offering from the Sushi counter which was the Tuna Mayo Roll (RM 16.90). The chef again has a new twist to this specialty sushi, in that tuna filling is not being rolled into, but as a topped up on the sushi.

This way, we find that you can really taste the chunk of tuna and the ebiko which is covered on the outside of the of the sushi makes eating this sushi roll with a burst feel of the ebiko. It is then topped with a slight Teriyaki sauce to enhance the entire flavour of the sushi.

After that we had the Asari Butter Soup (RM 11.90). The natural taste of the Clam and the clear butter soup was a nice change from our dishes that we had earlier. This will be a good choice to start a meal with a soupy feel.

 Another appetizer that we had was the Chuka Santen Moriawase (RM 15.90) which is a selection of 3 types of seasoned seafood dishes which is Chuka Iidako (Seasoned Baby Octopus), Chuka Kurage (Seasoned Jellyfish) and Chuka Sazae (Seasoned Snail).

To finish our meal we had the Matcha Milk Shake (RM 17.90) for dessert. The dessert is a blended Matcha ice cream and topped with whipping cream with soft serve vanilla ice cream, azuki and a sprinkle of matcha powder.

Their New Menu is up and now every diners can enjoy 10% DISCOUNT on TOTAL BILL during their promotion period ~ RM12.90 onwards for their Value Don Sets.

For the coming Ramadan from June 18 to July 16, 2015, there will be a special promotion of 10% DISCOUNT on ALL SUSHI BELTS ITEMS and FREE Hot/Cold Green Tea + 2 pieces of Kurma for all diners at JAYA 33 Outlet only.

Ramadan Promotion from 18 June to 16 July, 2015 with complimentary Hot/Cold Green Tea with 2 pieces Kurma for all diners at IKANO POWER CENTRE Outlet only.

Do check out the Ramen Ten Tokyo Shin Sushi Japanese Restaurant Jaya 33 Petaling Jaya to try out some of this new twist Dry Ramen, Spicy Ramen and Soup Ramen.

For More Review By Best Restaurant To Eat, click on the link below.

More Japanese Ramen Review By Best Restaurant To Eat. Click Here

Japanese Restaurant Review by Best Restaurant. Pls Click Here

Petaling Jaya - Best Restaurant Other Review in Petaling Jaya. Pls Click Here

Selangor - Best Restaurant Other Review in Selangor. Pls Click Here

Ramen Kanbe Restaurant Empire Damansara - Tasty In House Made Shoyu Based Ramen Review

Ramen is a staple food in Japan, where many people eat it at stalls,kiosk and restaurant, we Malaysian have a love affair with ramen too with the sprouting of many Ramen shop. With that Best Restaurant To Eat went to taste out Ramen Kanbe Restaurant located at G28, Block Empire Retail, Empire Damansara No.2, Jalan PJU 8 47820, Damansara Perdana Petaling Jaya Selangor .

The decor at Ramen Kanbe is one which is a very simple and open layout concept.

Kanbe actually means Kobe, which is one of the city in Japan that is popular for its shoyu based Ramen. At Ramen Kanbe, several types of Japanese finest soy sauces are blended with high quality kombu kelp from Hokkaido to use as the key ingredient in the preparation of this special soy sauce.

Our first taste of Ramen Kanbe is the signature Ramen which is Charsiu Ramen with its signature broth. According to Mr. Nagasawa San the Ramen are made in house daily using the finest flour to ensure its freshness. Over the years Ramen Kanbe have perfected the recipe that ensure the consistent taste and firm texture of all its noodles.

The soup based is a process in which vegetables and chicken broth are cooked for 7 hours and coupled with the special soy sauce to fully draw out the full flavours of the soup. 

This is then followed by the Pan Seared Gyoza as a side dish to the Ramen. 

The Gyoza have a meaty pork vegetable filling and have a crisp on the outside while the meat filling is still moist in the inside.

The next Ramen that we had was the Cold Ramen that comes strip of char siu, black fungus,  preserved ginger, eggs strip and strip of green lettuce with a light cold sauce.

I find this Ramen very refreshing from the use of the ingredients and also the cold sauce. This Ramen also comes together with a special Yellow wasabi at its side; when mix together with the Ramen it gives you that pungent after taste.

The next side dish is the Karaage chicken which is a boneless chicken thigh marinated in a special in house made sauce.  A well complimented side dish after the Cold Ramen.

We next move to try out some of the Rice dishes, which is the Japanese Fried Rice. We were really surprised on this dish, as it was very flavourful and comes with a wok hei aroma without burning the rounded Japanese rice.

We were told that the rice was pre-cooked with some condiments and left in the refrigerator. When customer order it; it will be taken out and cooked with the add on of the Char Siu, spring onion, eggs and chopped carrot to the right flavourful  aroma of the wok hei.

We then had the Spicy Ramen, which uses the same broth but added with a special imported spicy paste which has the aroma and flavour of the bean paste.

The Spicy Ramen is sprinkle with Spring Onion and topped with finely minced chicken meat.

We then had the Torisoboro Rice which is rice with spicy pork minced meat. To eat it you mix the minced pork meat with the rice, I personally find the meat to be a little too dry; it would be great that there is some additional meat sauce or the use of a little more fatty meat which would have the additional oil to smoothen the rice.

The last side dish that we tried was the Otsumami Char Siu. The meat of this Char Siu is from the pork shoulder which has a balance of meat and fat and stewed for more than 1 hour in a special blend of soy sauce and served with bean sprout and chopped spring onion.

The end result is that that pork is very flavourful and have a soft texture culminated from the cooking process. This side dish is best to complement with a cold glass of beer. 

At, Ramen Kanbe Restaurant, although it is a simple no-fuss setup with minimal dishes, the Ramen that are served here does stand out in terms of quality, texture and taste.

If you love Ramen, you can take advantage of this coming offer

Date 25/6/2015～1/7/2015(1 week)
All the items 50％OFF[except beer]

 For More review From Best Restaurant To Eat

More Japanese Ramen Review By Best Restaurant To Eat. Click Here

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Damansara Perdana - Best Restaurant Other Review in Damansara Perdana. Pls Click Here

Petaling Jaya - Best Restaurant Other Review in Petaling Jaya. Pls Click Here

Selangor - Best Restaurant Other Review in Selangor. Pls Click Here