There is a distinct line between eating for sustenance and eating for spectacle. Most days, I lean heavily toward the former, seeking quiet corners where the food speaks softly for itself. But every now and then, the city’s energy demands something louder. I found myself walking down Orchard Road on a damp Saturday evening, pulled by the lingering curiosity of a meal at Fire Ramen Izakaya by Menbaka The Centrepoint that promised to double as a pyrotechnic fire show.
I arrived at Menbaka The Centrepoint around 7pm. The queue was already snaking along the mall corridor near the rear end ATMs at Centrepoint Food Street, and I spent a solid thirty minutes waiting for a seat. The wait time is a known tax for the weekend dinner rush here. Walking in, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer volume of the restaurant. The space is unapologetically energetic, anchored by an open kitchen concept where service staff shout enthusiastic cues in Japanese, building up to the fiery ramen show.
The seating is tightly packed. You are ushered into counter-style chairs that face the cooking action directly, leaving very little room to comfortably shift your elbows. The air conditioning works overtime to combat the waves of heat rolling off the kitchen, but you will still feel a sudden, intense warmth every few minutes. It is certainly not a place for a quiet, intimate conversation.
The main event, of course, is the Signature Fire Ramen ($19.90), a dish created by ramen master Masamichi Miyazawa near Nijo Castle in Kyoto. The ordering process feels more like a safety briefing than a typical restaurant exchange. The staff are friendly but firm, instructing you to tie your hair back, put your phone on a provided selfie stick, and lean back with your hands firmly in your lap. Then, the chef ignites a ladle of hot scallion oil—infused with green onions—and pours it directly over your ramen bowl.
A massive pillar of flames erupts toward the ceiling. The heat hits your face instantly, followed immediately by a heavy, aggressively smoky aroma of charred garlic, burnt green onions, and hints of bonito flakes. It is a thrilling, fleeting moment of genuine theatre that embodies the fiery passion behind Menbaka’s famous fire ramen izakaya concept.
Once the flames die down and you are permitted to eat, the reality of the bowl sets in. The broth is a shoyu ramen style, lighter than the thick, opaque tonkotsu fire ramen soups popular in many ramen shops around Singapore. This signature broth is crafted from simmering chicken bones for hours, delivering a warm, salty, and flavourful base. The hot oil infusion gives it a slick, umami-heavy mouthfeel, but the underlying soup itself leans slightly light. It provides a comforting warmth, yet it lacks the long-simmered depth and complexity you might expect from a dedicated ramen izakaya.
The noodles, however, are a saving grace. They are thin, straight, and surprisingly firm, holding their chewy texture beautifully even as they sit in the piping hot, oil-slicked broth. The chashu slices and half egg are functional, offering a decent, juicy bite, though they are not the melt-in-your-mouth premium cuts you might hope for at this price point. I found myself quietly slurping through the bowl, realizing that the smoky, garlic-heavy flavor is the entire backbone of the dish.
We also shared a plate of gyoza ($7.90), a classic izakaya dish that complemented the ramen well. These pan-fried dumplings featured a beautifully crispy bottom and a well-seasoned, juicy pork filling that provided a nice textural contrast to the slippery noodles. They do not reinvent the wheel, but they do exactly what you need alongside a hot bowl of ramen.
Service throughout the meal was fast and highly interactive. The staff are constantly moving, focused heavily on facilitating the fire ramen show for each new wave of diners. Because of this, the table turnover feels slightly staggered. You are not rushed out the door, but the intense, noisy atmosphere naturally discourages lingering.
It is easy to point out the honest downsides here. You are undeniably paying a premium for the fire show rather than the ingredients. The portions feel slightly small for a bowl pushing past twenty dollars, and hardcore ramen enthusiasts seeking profound broth architecture will likely leave disappointed.
Yet, I still think this ramen izakaya by Menbaka holds a valid place in Singapore’s dining ecosystem. I would not come back here on a solo night when I just want a cheap, comforting bowl of good ramen to soothe a long workday. Instead, this feels like the perfect spot to bring friends or kids for a lively weekend dinner, or to kick off a night fueled by cravings for great food and an impressive atmosphere.
If this kind of lively, ramen-fueled night is what you’re after, it’s worth exploring the best izakaya experiences with ramen and drinks in Singapore—each offering its own balance of atmosphere, drinks, and that final, satisfying bowl.
Menbaka Fire Ramen at The Centrepoint delivers a fleeting, fiery thrill that sticks with you long after the smoke clears. Sometimes, you just want to sit at a cramped counter, feel the sudden rush of heat against your face, and eat a bowl of smoky noodles while the room cheers around you.
If You’re Thinking of Visiting Fire Ramen Izakaya by Menbaka The Centrepoint
Best time to go: Weekday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm to avoid the long queues.
Average spend: $25 to $35 per person including a drink or side.
What to order first: The Signature Fire Ramen for the classic theatrical experience, or try the vegetarian fire ramen option if you prefer.
Good for: Tourists, first dates needing an icebreaker, and anyone seeking a memorable experience with fiery ramen and an exciting fire show.
Skip if: You want a quiet conversation, dislike tight seating, or are a ramen purist seeking complex, long-simmered broths with deep wok hei flavors.
