SINGAPORE — As wonderful as sashimi is, there’s nothing like a steaming hot bowl of noodles to warm the cockles of your heart when you’re still bracing the spring chill in Tokyo. From an intense shoyu tonkotsu ramen to a quick and tasty yakisoba, noodles hit the spot instantly. Here are three places guaranteed to inspire a Proustian moment the moment you start slurping.

SERENE LIM

Ramen at Tokyo Ramen Street

It’ll kill us to pick among institutions such as Ikaruga, Jiro and Rokurinsha so we’ll leave the hard work to you. Head for Tokyo Ramen Street at First Avenue Tokyo Station. Eight of the reputed best in the city have set up shop at this underground mall next to JR Tokyo station in 2011. Choose from Rokurinsha Tokyo, Hirugao (specialising in shio ramen), Honda Ramen (for shoyu ramen in fish and chicken broth), Ramen Mutsumiya, Ikaruga, Kani-senmon Keisuke Kita no Sho, Junk Garage and Shichisai/Tokyo Edoama and let us know your verdict.

Soba at Honmura-an

At Honmura-an (7-14-18 Roppongi), the humble buckwheat is an obsession. It’s freshly ground every day and even takes the form of sushi and deep-fried gnocchi and has seasonal soba flavours like yuzu and edible cherry blossom. If it’s good old fashion soba you’re after, you’re also at the right place. The hot tempura soba is a beautifully simple bowl paired with crunchy, light-as-air prawns.

Udon at Mentsudan

Mentsudan (Daikan Plaza Business Kiyoda Building. 1F, Shinjuku) helped popularise the Tokyo craze for sanuki udon, which is known for its chewy, silky texture that doesn’t get soggy. Noodles are all made in-house and you can proceed through the self-service queue to pick out your favourite toppings such as fishcake or eggplant tempura from 100 yen per piece. There are takeaway packs of udon you can buy to mimic such greatness at home.