After opening its first outlet at the bustling 313@Somerset mall, Ramen Play (a collaboration between the BreadTalk Group and Japan’s 43-year-old Sanpou Co. Ltd.) launched its second outlet at Resorts World Sentosa two months ago. The restaurant occupies a spacious unit within shouting distance from the drop-off point and the casino’s entrance. Its trendy interior is injected with a whimsical touch in the form of quirky trinkets and larger-than-life decorative items.

Setting aside, the highlight of course is the traditional ramen made using premium Japanese flour and other specially flown in ingredients such as quality pork. The dishes are painstakingly prepared to ensure they remain consistently good. For instance, the stock is made of pork sinew, soft pork bones, and a blend of spices – all simmered for 12 hours, resulting in a rich, thick base. A favourite is the signature Sanpou tonkotsu ramen – springy noodles are bathed in a milky broth and crowned with three braised pork toppings – pork jowl, pork belly in special sauce and pork belly in Japanese cha shu sauce.  The tender meat is accompanied by half a braised egg with semi-soft yolk and preserved bamboo shoots for added crunch.  For a lighter alternative, slurp up the wafu shoyu ramen whose stock is made of shoyu, rice vinegar and a “secret blend of fish powder and spices”. The ramen is topped with succulent slices of cha shu, menma and a large piece of crisp nori.

Diners who prefer rice can opt for the pork katsu toji set.  The rice, also imported from Japan, is perfectly cooked and topped with crispy fried pork cutlet coated with runny egg and onions. If all that is not enough, you can share lip-smacking bites such as crispy dango - deep-fried minced chicken balls or the nicely executed RamenPlay bamboo chicken. This specialty comprises minced chicken marinated with herbs and spices, stuffed into a small bamboo tube and grilled until golden brown. Dip the meat into raw egg yolk and tuck in. Ramen Play is a great place to have a bowl of comforting ramen, delicious rice items or other bites. Linger on if you must and enjoy refreshing concoctions such as Super Lemon made of freshly squeezed lemon, soda water and Japanese shochu. Or for a dose of energy, order the Summer Bull, a combination of orange juice and Red Bull. 26 Sentosa Gateway, #B1-219 (outside casino entrance), Tel: 6686 2086, Operating hours: 11am to 10pm, daily