Mazesoba vs. Abura Soba: Explore Japan’s Delicious Brothless Ramen At Menya Kokoro

Source: Menya Kokoro

Japanese cuisine is renowned for its variety of noodle dishes, with ramen standing out as a global favourite. While most people associate ramen with a steaming bowl of broth, brothless varieties like mazesoba and abura soba are making waves for their bold flavours and satisfying textures. These dishes offer a unique way to enjoy ramen—coating thick, chewy noodles in savoury sauces instead of broth.

Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or a curious foodie, now is the perfect time to indulge at Menya Kokoro. From 1 to 3 March 2025, bring a friend and enjoy 50% off the second bowl from Menya Kokoro’s Abura Soba menu! This exclusive offer is available only at Menya Kokoro- Suntec City, 100AM Mall, and Plaza Singapura.

Mazesoba vs. Abura Soba

Mazesoba and Abura Soba are both brothless ramen dishes, yet they differ in several key aspects. While “maze” (mah-zay) means to “mix” or ”stir” in Japanese, “abura” translates to “oil”. Japanese commonly refers “soba” to noodles in general. Mazesoba, originating from Nagoya, features a bold, umami-rich sauce often made with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and chilli oil, resulting in a thick and saucy texture. It is typically topped with minced pork, egg yolk, nori, and green onions.

On the other hand, Abura Soba, which hails from Tokyo, is coated in a lighter mixture of soy sauce, pork fat, and sesame oil, giving it a simpler and slightly oily profile. Its toppings usually include chashu, bamboo shoots, and green onions. While mazesoba delivers a more intense and spicy kick, Abura Soba offers a more balanced and subtly rich taste, allowing diners to customize their bowl with various seasonings to suit their preferences.

How to Enjoy Mazesoba and Abura Soba

For the best experience, follow these steps when eating either dish:

  1. Mix Thoroughly – Both dishes rely on even mixing to fully distribute the flavours.

  2. Customize Your Bowl – Many restaurants provide vinegar, chilli oil, or garlic to adjust the taste to your preference.

  3. Finish with “Oimeshi” (Rice) – Many restaurants offer a small portion of rice to mix with any remaining sauce at the end, ensuring no flavour goes to waste.

"1 Noodle, 17 Flavours” Abura Soba at Menya Kokoro

Source: Menya Kokoro

At Menya Kokoro, Tokyo’s popular mazesoba restuarant chain renowned for its signature mazesoba, introduced an exciting new addition to its menu – Abura Soba. Their version of this dry noodle dish features thinner noodles compared to mazesoba but retains the same springy texture. Made fresh in-store with wholegrain and wheat flour imported from Japan, Menya Kokoro’s Abura Soba emphasises the importance of high-quality noodles paired with a medley of flavourful toppings.

The dish is complemented by bamboo shoots, chashu, and spring onions, with customisable toppings like curry powder, chilli powder, homemade vinegar, seaweed, and chilli oil, allowing diners to tailor their bowl to their taste. With the motto “1 Noodle, 17 Flavours” or 無限 (Mugen), which also means “infinite”, Menya Kokoro brings the latest noodle trend from Japan to Singapore, offering endless ways to enjoy a bowl of Original Abura Soba starting from the price of $13.30 (R).

Abura Soba: 2nd Bowl 50% off Promotion (1 - 3 March 2025)

Source: Menya Kokoro

From 1 to 3 March 2025, bring a friend and enjoy 50% off the second bowl from Menya Kokoro’s Abura Soba menu! This exclusive offer is available only at Suntec City (#03-313), 100AM Mall (#02-10), and Plaza Singapura (#B2-53).

Final Thoughts

Mazesoba and abura soba are perfect alternatives to traditional ramen, offering rich flavours without the heaviness of broth. Whether you prefer the spicy, sauce-heavy appeal of mazesoba or the simple yet satisfying umami of abura soba, both dishes showcase the creativity and diversity of Japanese noodle cuisine. With Menya Kokoro’s innovative take on these dishes, noodle lovers can experience the best of Japan’s brothless ramen trend here in Singapore. Don’t miss this limited-time deal to experience the abura soba sensation—1 noodle, 17 flavours, endless possibilities!

Menya Kokoro
Outlets: Suntec City | 100am | Plaza Singapura
Instagram | Facebook | Website

*This was an invited media tasting.


Enjoy reading our articles? Check out others below!

Vernicia

Avid fan of all things Japanese. Reminiscing her work-study-play life in 日本。

Next
Next

From Unagi To Umami Peppers: Discover Shibushi City, Kagoshima Fair At Isetan Scotts & Jun’s Butchery