Uchino Ramen @ Persiaran Bayan Indah near to Queensbay Mall, Penang

Uchino Ramen is one of the recent established Japanese restaurant in Queensbay area which specializes in Japanese Ramen, especially Tonkotsu Ramen ramen originated from Fukuoka Prefecture. Stepping inside Uchino Ramen, we experience a mixed setting that infuse modern design into Japanese style blueprint. The menu offers a range of rice and desserts (Japanese ice cream), on top of their signature Ramen noodles. Should you need a fix for your cravings on Japanese food, then Uchino Ramen serves as a great destination as it offers nicely cooked Ramen in acceptable price range. On top of that, Uchino Ramen crews display impeccable service in terms of serving the dishes and making sure you are attended well.

It would be unwise not to order their signature Ramen - Tonkotsu Ramen during our first visit to Uchino Ramen, though other options such as Kimchi Ramen or Shoyu Ramen are available. We had Shiroaji Ramen (RM 20.80) featuring original Tonkotsu flavour, then topped with chashu, Japanese bamboo shot slices, wood ear fungus slices, corn kernels, lava egg halves and nori. Overall, the soup offers an addictive and rich flavour with a hint of pleasant salty taste. Though the ramen noodles are al-dente in texture, some of the noodles were clumping and presented in a mass, a sign that it was not cooked and stirred nicely. However, this was just a small flaw and did not jeopardize the overall pleasant taste.

If you prefer a grand version of Ramen, you may opt for Uchino Ramen. It still come with Tonkotsu Ramen broth but with a light drizzle of black garlic and sesame oil, then added with pork bacon slices and spicy minced meat instead.

We had Uchino Don (RM 25.80) for rice and it was nicely done. It is served with fragrant Japanese rice, along with chashu, minced pork, grilled hotate, unagi slices, corn kernels, then topped with poached eggs. We enjoyed the complex flavour when everything component of the rice mixed together. It was aromatic and with a mild present of heat component that triggers the taste buds.

Somehow Uchino Don appears to be Japanese version of Poke bowl for us.

Nevertheless, the homemade ice cream we had - Green Tea and Sesame (RM 6.80 each scoop) appears to be a disappointment. The taste for both green tea and sesame was faint, and the presence of large quantity of ice crystals just made the ice cream undesirable. However, the price was a fraction of usual Japanese ice cream price in Japanese restaurant so we should be be contended.