Food Updates: DIY ramen shops to help you live out your K-drama fantasies

Source:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/diy-ramen-shops-to-help-you-live-out-your-k-drama-fantasies

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The Korean wave has sparked a trend in Singapore: DIY ramen shops, offering a middle ground between instant noodles at home and full restaurant dining. Mostly self-service, these outlets let customers pick from shelves of instant noodles, pay upfront, and use automated cooking machines to prepare meals with added toppings and condiments. While early entrants like Emart24 and Slurp Mee have closed, new players—including supermarket chains like FairPrice—have stepped in, making DIY ramen more accessible.

Midnight Noodle Club, near Farrer Park MRT, stands out with its playful game-themed ambience and more than 100 noodle varieties from across Asia, including unusual flavours like coriander and vegetarian bak kut teh. Sets start at $8.80, with members enjoying discounts on toppings and condiments. For introverts, Makan Mee offers vending-machine ramen across three outlets, including Citadines Rochor, with prices ranging from $4.50 to $5.90 for noodles and higher-priced toppings.

Supermarket chain FairPrice has also joined in. At Centrepoint’s FairPrice Finest, customers choose from around 24 flavours and toppings like lobster balls, while VivoCity’s FairPrice Xtra offers over 30 noodle types in a colourful Lotte Mart Express corner perfect for Instagram shots. Prices are wallet-friendly, starting from $2.

For K-drama vibes, Seoul Bunsik at Funan provides a sit-down eatery experience with Korean street food and music videos, while Clarke Quay’s The Noodle Place combines a wide noodle range with casual fun—board games included.

Each shop has its niche: wide selection, social ambience, or no-frills convenience. Collectively, they reflect how Singaporeans are embracing Korean-inspired dining trends while customizing ramen to suit individual tastes and budgets.