Culinary Powerhouse Water Library Hospitality Group delves into the noodle business with Kuku, a ramen joint that welcomes Silom office workers looking to fill their hungry stomachs with chewy noodles in a hot, flavorful broth. Tucked in Silom Soi 3, right next to Ciao Pizza (a new Italian place also owned by the same group), Kuku Ramen tries to recreate the vibe of a modern Japanese shophouse through its trendy blond wood furniture and spacious dining room.
The main dining area is dedicated to an open kitchen where Japanese chefs Hitoshi Inoue and Shuji Hayakawa, both of whom have logged tons of cooking experience in resorts and hotels, are in charge. Noodle lovers who lean towards traditional options can try Hakata-style tonkotsu miso ramen, which sees thick noodles swimming in fatty pork-bone broth and served with chunky chashu pork slices, seaweed, narutomaki (cured fish paste) and bamboo shoots (B160). For a less decadent bowl, try tori shio ramen, in which thin-cut noodles are served in clear salty, chicken stock with chicken chashu and other condiments (B140).
The signatures, however, are the mash-up ramen bowls with names like Bangkok and Tokyo. We passed on the clichéd Thai option (noodles in tom yam soup) for an east-meets-west ramen (B240), where noodles are served in a smoky barbecue-flavored soup, reflecting American flavor with hints of multicultural Tokyo tastes. Don’t miss the delicious chicken yakitori (B29), grilled and served hot to your table.
Making Kuku Ramen a popular lunch spot is probably the lunch set, favorably priced at B145. You get a small ramen bowl, rice bowl, gyoza and salad. Add B20 to get a glass of softdrink.
