A long time ago, my favourite spot for ramen used to be this place called Menya Shishido. This was back when they were still a hole-in-the-wall in Jaya One that seated like 20 people, before they went viral and became more of a commercial chain with… innovative… flavours like the durian ramen / chocolate ramen.

Since then, Ippudo has been my ‘safe’ choice whenever I want a decent bowl of ramen. Their tonkotsu broth is consistently good and the noodles are always done to the right texture. But somehow it lacks oomph — and I’ve struggled to find a place that can serve that same ramen magic that Menya Shishido had for me all those years ago.

Enter Menya Appare, a somewhat hidden restaurant nestled within ISETAN The Gardens Mall. The store is helmed by Japanese chefs, and specialises in tonkotsu (pork bone broth) and aburasoba (dry) ramen. The former takes up to 48 hours to prepare, using a specific technique for crushing and extracting the umami from the bones. They also use high quality ingredients, such as locally produced Kenkori eggs.

The dining area is warm and cosy, with exposed wooden beams made to resemble the frame of a house. Large white lanterns run the span of the central beam, while light wooden furniture is paired with dark pleather seats. The resto has an L-shaped layout so there are a couple of tables and a bar counter for solo dining out front, and a more spacious area for families that’s hidden from public view.

Of course, I had to try their signature tonkotsu ramen. You can choose the basic, but I recommend paying a little extra for the egg and chashu. You can also go for either thick or thin noodles.

I can say this is my new favourite! The creamy white broth is packed with lip smacking umami – each sip is rich and flavourful, with just the right balance of savoury / sweetness, and it’s not too oily. The noodles are nice and al dente, while the wood fungi adds crunch + earthiness.

Chashu is such an great accompaniment to ramen. You can do without it, but it’s like having fried chicken with your nasi lemak – it kinda brings the dish to new heights. Same applies to the chashu at Menya Appare: slices are thick with a perfect ratio of fat / lean. The fat doesn’t just melt – it dissolves on the tongue, leaving you to savour the rest of the firm, pork shoulder meat. I also love the char on the meat’s surface.

The Moomin has digestive issues, so I was surprised she went for the Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen. When it came to the table, our nostrils were assaulted by the pungent smell of garlic – not a dish to have on your first or second date!

That being said, if you like strong, garlicky flavours, this should be right up your alley. Tried some of the soup and the garlic definitely packs a punch but not overwhelmingly so, as you can still taste the the complex flavours of the pork broth underneath.

Bro’s Miso Tonkotsu Ramen. Didn’t try this, but the fact that it was the bro who recommended this place + that he always orders the same dish is testament to its quality / taste.

Soup-based ramen isn’t the only thing that Menya Appare offers. They also have tsukemen (ramen with a dipping sauce), dry ramen, chashu rice bowls, and light bites like gyoza and karaage. Prices are around RM30++ for the ramen, which is pretty standard for a place like this in KL.

For PJ folks, Menya Appare also has an outlet in Starling Mall.

MENYA APPARE

Isetan 3rd Floor, The Gardens, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 11am – 10pm (daily)

Menu here.

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