Discover the Best Flavors at Izakaya Hikari in Singapore

I visited Izakaya Hikari on a Tuesday around 7pm, which felt like exactly the right hour to crave ramen. The sky had gone dark early, the air outside was damp, and I walked in wanting something hot enough to fog my glasses and comforting enough to reset my mood.

I went in knowing the place had izakaya energy, but I was there for the ramen. I wanted broth with depth, noodles with bounce, toppings that made sense, and a bowl that didn’t feel like it was trying too hard. The kind of ramen in Singapore that makes you slow down after the first sip because you need a second to decide what just happened.

One note before I get into the meal, I’m only using the menu details available to me, so I’m not guessing dish names or prices that weren’t listed. Where a price wasn’t available, I’ve written “Price not listed,” because I’d rather be honest than accidentally send you in expecting the wrong thing.

Izakaya Hikari felt like an authentic Japanese izakaya on arrival, a Japanese tavern located on the third floor of Fortune Centre at 190 Middle Road Fortune Centre, in the heart of Bugis/Rochor Singapore. The lighting was low but not gloomy, with enough glow over the tables to make the food look inviting instead of theatrical. I noticed a steady hum of conversation, the kind where you can still hear your friend across the table, but you won’t feel awkward if you laugh too loudly.

The seating was compact, with smaller tables and a corridor seating arrangement that added intimate charm to the cozy environment, even with the limited space. I got a two-seater near the wall, which was cozy, though once the bowls and side plates landed, I had to do that tiny table shuffle where chopsticks, tissues, water, and phone all fight for space.

The AC was strong enough that I kept my light jacket on. Honestly, I didn’t mind. A cold room and a steaming bowl of ramen can be a very satisfying combination, especially when the broth arrives hot enough to send up ribbons of steam.

The menu also featured popular izakaya dishes like salmon mentaiko donburi and kawa ebi, which added variety and authenticity to the dining experience. Fresh salmon sashimi and ika (squid) dishes were highlights, perfectly paired with a dab of wasabi to enhance the flavors. The inclusion of asparagus and ebi (prawns) in some dishes showcased the kitchen’s skill in creating balanced plates that complement the main ramen bowl.

I ordered the Ramen first, because if a restaurant has ramen on the menu, I want to understand its baseline before I get distracted by anything else. The bowl came out after about 12 minutes, which felt reasonable for a dinner rush. It arrived hot, properly hot, with steam rising from the surface and a glossy sheen across the broth.

The first thing I noticed was the aroma. It had a savory, rounded smell that leaned comforting rather than aggressive. I didn’t get that flat saltiness that sometimes announces itself before the spoon even reaches your mouth. Instead, the broth opened gradually, with a warm, layered quality that made me want to keep sipping.

The texture of the broth mattered here. I like ramen broth that coats the lips slightly but doesn’t turn sticky or heavy halfway through the bowl. This one had enough body to feel satisfying, but it didn’t become tiring after a few spoonfuls.

The noodles had a good bite. They weren’t too soft, and they didn’t collapse into the broth after sitting for a few minutes. I liked how they held onto just enough soup, so each slurp carried flavor without turning into a salty wave.

My Personal observation? Portion-wise, I’d call it satisfying but not massive. If I came in starving, I’d want a side dish too. If I came in for a normal dinner, the bowl would be enough, especially because the broth had enough richness to linger.

A second look at the ramen experience

I went back to the broth several times before focusing properly on the noodles, which is usually my sign that a bowl is doing something right. I kept tasting for balance, salt, aroma, temperature, and finish. The strongest part of the ramen was how steady it felt from the first sip to the last third of the bowl.

That said, I did notice the salt level creeping up near the end. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, and I didn’t push the bowl away, but I did start reaching for water more often. If you’re sensitive to salt, I’d pace yourself and avoid adding extra seasoning before tasting everything as served.

The noodles stayed pleasantly springy, even as the bowl cooled. That’s a detail I care about more than I probably should. Limp noodles can make a good broth feel sad, but these kept enough structure to make each bite feel alive.

I also liked that the ramen didn’t feel overly oily. A little richness is welcome, especially in a dinner bowl, but I don’t love finishing ramen and feeling like I need a walk around the block just to recover. This bowl landed closer to warm and satisfying than heavy and overwhelming.

I kept the izakaya bites second, and I think that’s the right way to approach Izakaya Hikari if you’re going for the ramen. I wouldn’t build the meal around sides first. I’d let the bowl lead, then use the izakaya plates as support.

The side dish information available to me didn’t include verified item names or prices, so I’m not going to invent them here. What I can say is that an izakaya in Japan is traditionally a casual bar built around drinks, snacks, and sharing-style dining, and that feeling came through here. Even without confirmed names, the menu appears to offer a variety of traditional dishes such as sashimi, yakimono, agemono, and donburi, which fits that relaxed format. It gave the table something to nibble on between slurps, which is especially nice if you’re sharing dinner with someone who likes to talk between bites.

Traditional izakaya fare also often includes rice bowls and vegetarian food, including mushrooms in simple, flavorful sides.

I’d choose sides that contrast the ramen rather than repeat its richness. If the bowl is warm, savory, and broth-forward, I’d look for something crisp, bright, grilled, or lightly seasoned. I wouldn’t stack too many heavy plates on top of the ramen unless I were sharing with a group. Done well, those supporting plates pair naturally with drinks like sake while keeping the ramen as the main event.

The service had a casual, efficient rhythm, with friendly servers offering good service and prompt answers when I asked about the ramen. I didn’t feel hovered over, but I also didn’t feel forgotten. The staff answered simply and confidently, which I always prefer over a long rehearsed speech.

That warm approach also makes it workable for family meals, including diners with toddlers.

Food pacing was solid. I waited about 12 minutes for the ramen after ordering, and that timing felt fair given the crowd. The side plates followed close enough that the table filled quickly, but not so fast that the meal felt rushed.

The noise level sat in that lively middle zone, but the overall tone still felt relaxing. I could have a conversation without raising my voice too much, but this wouldn’t be my first pick for a quiet, serious catch-up. It’s more of a “let’s eat something warm and talk about our day” kind of place.

Next time, I’d still put ramen first. I’d order the Ramen taste the broth before adding anything, and then decide whether I wanted a side based on hunger rather than habit.

A few tips I’d give a friend:

At Izakaya Hikari Singapore, go slightly before peak dinner, around 6:30pm, if you want a shorter wait, or come by for lunch if you want to enjoy a more casual meal with friends before the crowd builds.
Don’t skip booking ahead if you’re visiting with a group or heading there during peak times, especially for popular after-work hangouts.
Sit near the wall if you want a slightly calmer meal.
Bring a light jacket if you get cold easily, because the AC has confidence.
Taste the broth first before adding condiments or extra seasoning.
Order izakaya bites to complement the ramen, not compete with it.

It’s also easy to find inside Fortune Centre, and the place has earned great reviews for amazing food and a unique atmosphere.

I’d also avoid over-ordering on a first visit. It’s tempting in an izakaya setting, but the ramen deserves attention while it’s hot. I’d rather have one focused bowl and one smart side than a crowded table where everything cools too quickly.

Izakaya Hikari works best if you’re looking for a tasty, authentic Japanese izakaya experience that offers a slice of Japan in Singapore, with ramen still at the center. I liked that the bowl felt warm, balanced, and thoughtfully put together without becoming too precious. It gave me the comfort I wanted, with enough detail to keep me paying attention.

What I first thought might be just another ramen stop ended up being more to my liking because of the broader izakaya experience.

The downsides are real, though. The seating can feel cramped, and that space restriction is noticeable, the salt level may build toward the end of the bowl, and the pricing is hard to judge when menu prices aren’t clearly available. I also wouldn’t come here in a rush, because even a 15-minute wait feels longer when you’re hungry and watching bowls pass by.

Still, I’d go back. I’d go for a cool evening, a seat near the wall, and a bowl of ramen that arrives steaming and fragrant enough to pause the conversation. If you’re exploring ramen in Singapore and want a place where ramen stays the star but the izakaya mood makes dinner feel more relaxed, I think Izakaya Hikari is worth putting on your list.

Go for the ramen first. Let the sides follow. For a more authentic Japanese Izakaya ramen contents and curated list of restaurant on where to find them, we have an article on it: Where Ramen Meets Izakaya Culture: Japanese Izakaya Singapore for Noodle Lovers have a blast reading!