A quietly confident new ramen spot has opened inside Sim Lim Square, and it’s one worth knowing about if you like your bowls unfussy and well-executed. Menya Saku by Oh Some Bowls is helmed by Japanese chef Mamoru Kanaya, a familiar name to longtime ramen fans for his earlier wins at Ramen Champion. After years running a salad concept under the Oh Some Bowls name, he’s returned to ramen with a modest, no-frills setup that focuses squarely on flavour rather than theatrics.
The menu is tight and intentional, built around two styles. Hakata-style tonkotsu comes in classic, black garlic and spicy variations, while chuka soba offers a lighter, chicken-based alternative layered with bonito umami. Prices stay approachable, and the operation feels refreshingly straightforward — no service charge, no GST, and a clean, pared-back dining room that blends seamlessly into Sim Lim’s everyday food landscape. Behind the counter, Mamoru runs the kitchen himself, turning out bowls with the ease of someone who’s been doing this for years.
What stands out here is balance. The tonkotsu broth leans rich and creamy without becoming cloying, the spicy version builds heat gradually with house-made chilli bases, and the chuka soba quietly steals the show with its clean, savoury depth. Menya Saku isn’t trying to reinvent ramen or chase hype. Instead, it offers a grounded, personal take from a chef who knows his craft — the kind of place you return to for a dependable bowl, especially if you appreciate substance over spectacle.
