Ikkousha serve "Real" Tonkotsu ramen. A special topping, pork chashu is soaked in secret-repipe sauce.The chef perfectly understands how to use roast pork, chashu, as well as other topping,ni-tamago,soy sauce flavored boiled egg, to add spice to ramen.

Started in Hakata which is the ramen capital of Japan, is best known for it's tonkotsu-based ramen, made from pork bones and simmered for many hours. 

The Hakata Ikkousha was also at Ramen Champion in Singapore; humbly they got 2 titles of being a Champion (2011 & 2012).

IKKOUSHA makes the most wholesome tonkotsu ramen, a favorite for traditional ramen lovers and those who avoid overly rich food. You'll enjoy its refreshing taste. Try it and revel in Ikkousha's greatness". 

A Article I found online - 100,000 bowls of ramen sold in a year.

Was invited to Ikkousha Hakata Ramen for a food tasting session yesterday evening! The restaurant has good ambiance with warm lighting. It is a nice place to chill with your colleagues during lunch time since this restaurant is located near CBD area!

This bowl here is Tonkotsu Ramen! I like the taste of the broth which was thick and rich! It tasted just right and not too overwhelming for me. The cha shu tasted slightly salty to me but it was nicely marinated. One of the better ramen I have eaten because I adore the broth which tasted good and goes pretty well with the noodles and Cha Shu.

This bowl here is Shio Tonkotsu! The broth here was light, salty and more flavorful. The first few mouth when I tried it, I thought it was pretty good. However, after few tries, I thought it is slightly salty to my taste bud. The bamboo shoots goes well with the broth. If you adore a more flavorful yet light broth, I think you will enjoy this dish.



This bowl here is Red Tonkotsu! The broth was slightly thick and spicy. I do not take spicy food often so for me, I thought this dish was quite spicy to me. However, it was pretty appetizing which stimulated one's appetite.

This bowl here is Black Tonkotsu! The taste of the broth was thick and rich. I think it has a unique taste which was memorable. Though the broth was rich, it is not too.. overwhelming for my taste bud. If you did like to try something different, you can consider to try this!

This bowl here is God Fire! The taste of the broth was light and spicy. I think the spices used for the broth was unique. For this dish, you could select up x4 of spiciness. I tried this dish here at a spicy level of 1 and it was spicy. I think that is because I am not a spicy person. Try it if you would like to challenge yourself with x4 of spiciness!

This bowl here is Miso Tonkotsu! The taste of the broth was light, slightly sweet and spicy. It tasted like curry flavored ramen. The nicely sliced pork belly was chewy and well marinated and goes well with the ramen.

Each ramen has its own individual taste! Go try it yourself to know which is your favourite!

Chef Kosuke Yoshimura!

ME, Chef Kosuke Yoshimura & Gary!

Today is Hakata Ikkousha Ramen at Tanjong Pagar Plaza Grand Opening day! Go visit them if you are around that area! 

Grateful for this opportunity to attend this food tasting session. Thank you Mariko for the host and invitation! Also, for accommodating my schedule. Appreciated. (;

Ikkousha Hakata Ramen Singapore - 博多一幸舎

Blk 7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-104B

Singapore 081007

Columbia Pictures' action-thriller Captain Phillips stars two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks in the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. 

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Watched this true story film - Captain Phillips with Gary and Koon Siang after Juliana wedding yesterday!

The story plot was good though predictable. In the beginning, I thought the story flow pretty well which captured my attention, it made me ponder what will happen next. Nice intense scenes which bring the climax of this film to another level. However, as it goes on, it gets quite draggy at certain scenes without much twist. 

Good that it injected certain humor elements to liven the show a little. Towards the end, I thought that it touched the viewers on how Captain Phillips was finally being rescued and survived from this hijacked.

One good true story film you ought to catch!

Ratings: 3.35/5

 

01. 渺小

02. 矛盾

03. 終身大事

04. 不醉不會

05. 你快樂未必我快樂

06. 這個人已經與我無關

07. 你就不要想起我

08. 無常

09. 愛著愛著就永遠

10. 口袋的溫度

Previewed 田馥甄 Hebe Tian latest album - 渺小. I began to accept her identity and style of singing. From her previous albums, I feel that she was trying to intimate some other singer. When she was in the group (S.H.E), I did not see her injected this kind of elements thus I thought she was trying too.. hard.  

This album proved me wrong and I think she found her own unique style and personality. Though her image was slightly wild for me but I think it appeared attractive to me in her own way.   

The recommended track from me will be: 渺小, 矛盾, 這個人已經與我無關, 你就不要想起我, 愛著愛著就永遠. 

You can preview her album here: 田馥甄 渺小 

Signing off with her hit song which was my favourite from this album!

故事描述一间以上流社会为服务对象，专门替客户解决“疑难杂症”的公关公司。为了处理纠纷而秘密组织了一队精英成员，帮助个案的苦主做危机控管，减低当事者的声誉、感情与家庭的伤害。剧中的男主角温昌渝（黄腾浩饰）是一个极度聪明，为求完成任务无所不用其极的电脑法医。外表乐观但内心却有段不为人知的秘密的他，遇到了极富正义感的邝芸香（刘子绚饰)。两人工作上是上司与下属的关系，每每因为个案而起争执，最后却“吵”出了感情，形成白天是“对头”，晚上是“情侣”的奇妙关系。《揭秘》将会以二至三集为一个案件单元，带出数个改编自真实网络个案的故事。

‘Disclosed’ revolves around a group of Public Relations (PR) specialists who helps high society clients perform damage control and maintain a favourable image. The team is led by computer forensic expert, Wen Chang Yu (Huang Teng Hao), who is highly intelligent and will resort to all means to crack a case. He looks like an optimist but he is actually bothered by a secret until he meets righteous Kuang Yun Xiang (Jesseca Liu). Bound by a superior-subordinate relationship, because of their differences in opinions, Chang Yu and Yun Xiang will often bicker with each other. Gradually, they fall in love. ‘Disclosed’ is a concept derived from true accounts of social media cases involving Internet fraud and cybercrimes, where a secret is never a secret as long as social media exist. Each case will cover 2 to 3 thrilling episodes.

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The story was refreshing and most of the time I enjoyed watching this genre of drama (mystery, suspense and thriller). I realised the plot was pretty similar to a English drama series: the lying game.

Though the story-line was different, there were certain similarities in each cases. Only differences was that 'Disclosed' injected more on Internet fraud. Since both drama were about hidden secrets, there are bound to be similarities. 

Certain cases kept me in suspense thinking why and how a particular incident actually happened. It kept me going on to follow up each episode. Nice unexpected twist towards to end. Fantastic acting capability from Jesseca Liu! I thought she handled her emotion and expression pretty well! 

And yup, both drama left a mystery for the viewers out there to guess. 

Ratings: 3.4/5

Bought this chicken chop from Western Barbeque at old airport road food centre. One of the best chicken chop I tasted thus far. The well-marinated meat was tender and juicy! The portion of the dish was decent for me. 

Oh ya, besides the foodie above, bread was included as well! I like the packaging of it which allow me to consume easily, without spreading butter myself. Enjoyed this dish pretty much when I had it for my lunch!

Ratings: 4.35/5

Western Barbeque

51 Old Airport Road

#01-53 

Old Airport Road Food Centre

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

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Watched The Hunger Games: Catching Fire with Jiewei yesterday night! We watched this film at City Square - JB.

I think the story started off rather draggy in the beginning. As the story goes on, it got better with different obstacles and challenges that each district winner had to overcome. 

I thought it could be better if they focus more on this area to make it even more exciting. It ended abruptly without a proper ending thus I think there will be a sequel to it. 

As a whole, I thought that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was slightly better as compared to the previous one in terms of the story flow. 

Ratings: 3.65/5

"3 Peas In A Pod" is a story about friendship and love. Three university students studying in Australia (Penny from Singapore, Perry from Taiwan and Peter from Korea) are good friends whose lives are intertwined with one another's. Just before they graduate and go back to their respective countries to embark on their working lives, the three friends decide to go on a road trip in the country they've been studying in for the last 4 years. Little do they know, this farewell holiday is a trip that would change their lives forever.

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Watched 3 Peas in A Pod 《他她他》with Jiewei this evening. The film started off just like a ordinary romantic love story. As the story goes on, it somewhat engaged me to find out who would Penny choose? Will it be Peter (the love she love) or Perry (the one who love her)?

However, there was an unexpected twist towards the end. Penny actually discovered a ugly truth, where Perry secretly took photos of Peter with his mobile. From there, Penny had a clear understanding of the entire situation.

The film flashed back and revealed to the viewers that Perry had long carrying a torch on Peter. To get close to him, the only way was to befriend Penny as both of them were good friends.

After watching the film, I realised that the Chinese title somewhat gave a hint to the plot. 《他她他》. I think it was placed in the middle for a reason? Maybe because she was in between the 2 guys. Without her, both of the them might be together since Peter also somehow declared his love to Perry.

Ratings: 3/5

The Journey: A Voyage is Channel 8's 2013 year-end blockbuster that recounts the travails of first-generation Chinese immigrants who set foot on the island of Singapore to seek their fortunes and future. The journey is one fraught with difficulties, one they must persevere to carve a niche they can call their own, build a new homeland and enjoy the fruits of their success.

It tells the stories of three young men as they faced the tumultuous 1920s and eventually survived the odds to call Singapore home. 

The Journey: A Voyage is part of MediaCorp’s TV50 celebrations and part of a trilogy which will culminate in Singapore’s nation building celebrations in 2015.

Was invited as one of the blogger to cover Channel 8’s blockbuster drama 《信约：唐山到南洋》 The Journey: A Voyage private screening last Thursday evening! The event was held at The Joyden Hall! There were cocktail/dinner reception for the bloggers! And yup, I invited Jasmine to this event. (:  

Host for the day: 

Mary Bukoh

Allen Chen

Terence Cao

Joanne Peh

Priscelia, Joanne, Chris

Then, it was photo-taking session! And yup, the above were some of the pictures taken before the screening started. 

This is the guy (Shen Zhi Hao) who sang the theme song for this drama. I think the melody and lyrics of the song relates well to this particular drama with lots of emotions injected.

Desmond Tan

Elvin Ng

Chris Tong

The different expression of each artiste

Priscelia Chan

The cast were invited to the stage to share about their views about this drama. At the same time, also tell us about their character in the drama. From their sharing, I understand that each has a different role to play in order to make this series a possible one. Terence Cao was pretty enthu and seems to be the one who hosted instead. 

Then, its time to catch the screening! 

From the private screening, I get to watch both the extended trailer and also the 1st episode of this drama. I get to see the roles played by different characters and I thought the artiste did a pretty good job with it. 

The one which captured my attention and leave deep impression in the trailer was Priscelia Chan (Han Xiuxiang) who was wealthy, feisty and obstinate rich lady. I rarely see her in such role and hopefully to see more of her different side in near future. 

The 1st episode of this drama was pretty good. It started off with the current Singapore city and then back to the olden days with good visual effects. From there, each cast were being introduced and the story started from there... 

There were different characters and I thought each played a major role to make this drama a more exciting one. It showcase how the ancestors from 唐山 to 南洋 make a living there with challenges and obstacles faced. 

Overall, I think this drama injected many emotions and at the same time educate the viewers about the historical morals and values back then. It will be better if there are subtitles so that I could relate better!

Remember to catch this blockbuster drama on 25th November 2013 (Monday) 9pm only on Channel 8! - http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/zh/tv/channel-8/programmes/The-Journey/default.aspx

Had a great and enjoyable evening!! Thanks to everyone and sponsors who made this private screening and drama a successful one! Am blessed to have the opportunity to cover for 信约：唐山到南洋》 The Journey: A Voyage! (:

01. 愛投羅網 

 02. 愛騙我 

 03. 未完的承諾 

 04. 惜命命 

 05. 獅子吼 

 06. 第六十一分鐘 

 07. 愛我喊出來 

 08. 愛慘了 

 09. 想逃 

10. 如果還有如果

Previewed 羅志祥 Show Luo latest album - 獅子吼 . I think this album is slightly different from the previous and his fast tempo songs seems similar to K-pop style. Besides that, his image had a wild change to a more korean pop singer. Nice try but hopefully He will not over do it for the next album.

The recommended track from me will be: 未完的承諾, 惜命命,  想逃 and 果還有如果. 

Signing off with his hit song which was my favourite from this album!!

Boss Suchart is the influential owner of a major elephant camp. When he was murdered in his own home - the killer delivered three fatal blows on his body - all evidence points to KHAM (Tony Jaa), who was present at the crime scene and was seen with the victim the moment before he died. Kham is forced to run as the police launches a pursuit...

A sequel of the global smash-hit "Tom Yam Goong" (or "The Protector"), TYG2 is an extreme fight movie, an endlessly intense, nerve-racking film full of fists, elbows, kicks and daredevil stunt scenes and amazingly choreographed fighting moves that will pump hot blood through the body of all action fans! 

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Watched The Protector 2 - Tom Yum Goong 2 with Gary on Tuesday evening. The story was simple and rather predictable. Many great fight scenes but I thought some were rather dramatic which made me laugh. The plot was quite weak as a whole but if you are there for the fight scenes, you will appreciate this film even better. Nice emotional scenes towards the end of which bring higher score to this show.

Ratings: 3.25/5