I haven’t had a bowl of kanbe ramen this delish in a long time.
Menya Musashi in Singapore once served properly hearty tsukemen (dipping noodles), until standards slipped and outlets began to close. The famous tonkotsu ramen at Tanjong Pagar came close, but it never had the same pull.
So I never expected a simple dinner at Kanbe Ramen in Kuala Lumpur to leave me craving for my next bowl before I’d finished the first. And imagine my heartiest delight when I found out there’s an outlet in Johor Bahru too, which felt like a small personal victory.
What is Kanbe Ramen?
Kanbe Ramen is a Japanese-run ramen shop with a 4.9 rating on Google Reviews, which is rather rare for a ramen joint. It specialises in Hakata-style tonkotsu: a thick, creamy pork bone broth served with thin noodles.
The broth: creamy Hakata-style tonkotsu with a flavour for every mood
The soup is rich and thick, and diners can pick from several flavours:
- Shiro (original)
- Kuro (mixed with charred garlic and flavoured vegetables)
- Aka (spicy)
- Sakura (ebi prawn)
- Kohaku (mixed with dried bonito, dried mackarel, and dried sardines)
- Yuzu (Japanese yuzu)
- Goma (fragrant sesame)
- A rotating seasonal special
Mine is always yuzu. The citrus lifts the heavy, creamy broth with a bright, tangy finish, so each sip stays light down to the last slurp. If you usually find tonkotsu too heavy halfway through, this flavour is the one to try. Meanwhile, my sister went for her favourite aka ramen – pork broth with blended spices and flavoured vegetables based on the taste of doubanjiang (bean paste).
Customise everything
Kanbe Ramen lets you tailor almost the entire bowl. You choose how thick and firm the noodles are and how intense the broth tastes, which probably explains the crowds.
There’s more to play with: garlic flakes, beansprouts, and an assortment of oils and sauces on the table. A lot of garlic on the second half of the bowl is my small ritual.
What I order: toppings and sides
I’ll be upfront: pork belly isn’t my thing, so I can’t give a proper verdict. I can say the slices are generously thick, so diners should be happy.
My own bowl goes like this:
- Bamboo shoots (add-on): a crunchy, savoury contrast to the creamy soup.
- Onsen egg on the side (add-on): a soft, silky yolk that melts into the broth when broken.
- Thick-cut scallions: a fresh, sharp bite that cuts the richness of the soup.
- Black fungus: a springy bite in every mouthful.
Add the tangy noodles and creamy soup, and that’s my idea of a perfect bowl of ramen.
Kanbe Ramen locations and prices
Kuala Lumpur: 163 Retail Park,
GF – 08, 163 Retail Park, 8, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Johor Bahru: Aeon Mall Tebrau City,
Ground Floor, Lot G138, Food Hall, AEON Mall Tebrau City, 1, Jalan Desa Tebrau, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Price range: RM 40-50 per pax
Is Kanbe Ramen worth it?
Absolutely. For Hakata tonkotsu ramen in Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, Kanbe Ramen is my top pick. A bowl this good is worth planning a trip around, and I’m already planning my next one.
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