After seeking shelter from the pouring rain, I found myself stranded in an unfamiliar shopping mall, which I soon found out to be ZhongShan Mall. With an empty stomach, my quest for food led me to a storefront of attractive wooden frames and striking bright red, reading - Kotubuki.
It is always a custom to order a drink of hot green tea, especially when one is served in a customised stone cup. With a comfortingly smooth and astringent quality, it is perfect during this rainy weather.

Every bowl of Ramen comes with its own distinctive look and taste, and the tonkotsu ramen at Kotobuki is served in a dispiriting oversized bowl, drowning the presentation in a saddening desultory manner.


Served in a hearty pork-flavoured creamy broth, the soft thin-straight yellow noodles were cooked just beyond overdoneness, and accompanied by different vegetables - crunchy beansprouts, marinated bamboo shoots, also known as menma to some. and oddly spinach.

Aside from the decent broth, the highlight would be the smoky-savoury char siew and ajitsuke tamago with its firm bouncy egg white and creamy yolk centre.
Though the ones Japanese river prawns served at Standing Sushi Bar may be cheaper and fried with a light batter, the version served at Kotobuki is simply deep fried. It is light and addictively crispy to snack on between bites of food or while having a drink. With a squeeze of lemon, the juices is absorbed into the prawns for a refreshing acidic bite.