Nama Japan

20/12/2024

Yamagata Karamiso at Tanaka Soba in Shibuya

I have been a long long fan of Tanaka Shoten and Tanaka Soba, their main shops are one of my absolute favorites in the Tokyo area. So of course I’m quite happy that at least Tanaka Soba has a more accessible option available. This shop is on the 7th floor of Shibuya’s PARCO shopping center, which also has Jikasei Mensho in the basement.

I unfortunately have to say that the main store in Rokucho is much better. I found the soup to be on the sweet side and only really enjoyable once the karamiso is mixed in. Compare that to for example Ryu Shanghai in the Ramen Museum, which has a soup that stands alone and does not need the karamiso from the start.

The noodles and chashu are great, obviously supplied externally, probably from their main kitchen.

If you truly want to have a good time, make your way to Rokucho and eat first at Tanaka Soba and then at Tanaka Shoten, both shops are literally like 2 walking minutes away from each other.


#ラーメン #らーめん

16/12/2024

Jiro inspired tonkotsu-shoyu at Ramen Kimi in Shinagawa
Video review together with .flow now up on YouTube 🎥 🍜

#ラーメン #らーめん

15/12/2024

New video up! Nikujiru Ramen Kimi (肉汁らーめん 公) is a Jiro inspired tonkotsu-shoyu ramen shop in Shinagawa, Tokyo. Super beginner friendly, one of the shops I can recommend for your first Jiro style tonkotsu experience.

Nikujiru Ramen Kimi (肉汁らーめん 公) is a Jiro inspired tonkotsu-shoyu ramen shop in Shinagawa, Tokyo.Compared to many other Jiro inspired tonkotsu ramen shops, th...

15/12/2024

Shoyu Ramen at Kagaribi

Fantastic mizudorikei shoyu ramen with incredible hand-massaged temomi noodles. Full power chicken flavor meets complex shoyu tare. All elements work together to create one of my favorite bowls of 2024.
The one man operation is run by a discipline of Shichisai and Tsuta, you clearly can see the heritage in the resulting bowl which is somewhere between those two shops.
Preparation takes some time, so expect some wait even if the line looks short. You can make reservations on Tablecheck to secure a spot or if you don’t want to wait. I went on a Sunday and the wait was 1 hour 20 minutes lining up and 10 minutes to get my bowl, so 1.5h in total.
Really recommend this shop if you like temomi noodles or mizudorikei shoyu, really top level for those things.

#ラーメン #らーめん

10/12/2024

Kinmedai Shio Ramen at Torimatsu in Odawara

Torimatsu in Odawara isn’t a big name yet, but plays honestly on the same level as some of the heavyweights in Tokyo.

Their Kinmedai Shio Ramen is directly competing with the exquisite kinmedai ramen of Housenka and it’s hard for me to say which one is better, which is a big compliment for Torimatsu as I love Housenka.

Toppings are wonderful, the fish on top gets some torch and the menma has great crunch and nice zesty sourness. Chashu is great juicy sous vide stuff.

If you’re in your way to Hakone, this place is a must visit if you’re stopping in Odawara.

#小田原　 #ラーメン #らーめん

08/12/2024

Morisoba at Shibuya Katchan
Very new I think and for Shibuya standards very good, part of the Chan-style ramen group as far as I can tell.
They do a light Chukasoba style shoyu, reminds me of Kitakata style soup somewhat.
Very very good chashu, hard boiled unseasoned egg that gets the blood boiling of self-declared online ramen connaiseurs.
Went for their tsukemen, but I think the ramen should be the first time bowl. Got to try it and found it a tad better than the tsukemen, but it’s both the same soup/tare.
Shop is basically right behind Shibuya station. Very good not too heavy Shibuya shime bowl. Also looking forward to trying their spicy bowl sometime.
If anyone wants to go together, give me a hint and I’ll join, not far for me and I want to try their other bowls.

#ラーメン #らーめん

07/12/2024

Scallop Ramen at Mukan in Gotanda
Full video review now up on my YouTube channel 🎥 🍜

Mukan got most of their fame with their oyster ramen, but they switch up their menu sometimes and have a scallop version instead. The soup is full power scallop flavor, topped with shredded boiled scallops, I’m guessing the ones that are used to make the soup. The soup is combined with thick flat noodles which are a real treat.
The OG Mukan location was a bit of a hassle to eat at, but in Gotanda you can just show up and expect moderate waiting times at worst.
Must try if you like shellfish at all, no matter what they serve that day.

#むかん　 #五反田 #ラーメン #らーめん

05/12/2024

Oyster Butter Egg Ramen at Mukan in Yokohama
Full video review up on my YouTube channel now 🎥 🍜
Went with and had a blast with this TKM type bowl (tamagokakemen).
Check out the video for all of our opinions on the bowl.

#むかん #ラーメン #らーめん

30/11/2024

New video up! This time about the oyster and scallop ramen shop Mukan, one of the most hyped shops in the last years.

Chukasoba Mukan (中華蕎麦 無冠) is one of the most hyper ramen shops in Tokyo in the last years. They got famous with their oyster ramen bowl, which presents a dub...

29/11/2024

Hongare Chukasoba Gyorai (本枯中華そば魚雷), or just Gyorai, is a siphon ramen specialty shop in North of Tokyo, near Korakuen station and the Tokyo Dome.

Full review up on my YouTube channel 🎥 🍜

The thing that draws in people is their very unique way to infuse their broth with fresh katsuobushi flavor right before serving. Katsuobushi is an interesting ingredient as you don’t want it to steep for too long at too hot temperature in the broth, but you also don’t want to infuse the flavor too far ahead of time, as the aroma is quite volatile and becomes muted if the broth is not served immediately. This is a unique challenge for all ramen shops that want to put katsuobushi flavor into the spotlight.
Gyorai has solved this issue by using coffee siphons, which are fill with the broth at the bottom and katsuobushi where the ground coffee would normally go. As with coffee, the broth gets pulled into the solids and then self strains once it cools down enough again. It’s a genius application of this method and really makes the katsuobushi flavor shine in the final soup.

The ramen shop Gyorai is easily accessible via Korakuen station or Kasuga station, depending on which of the 4 train lines you use to get there. It is also basically a stone toss away from Tokyo Dome. If you find yourself in the area, a visit to Gyorai should be a no-brainer for every ramen fan out there.

#ラーメン #らーめん

27/11/2024

New article up on my blog with some extra info about Hongare Chukasoba Gyorai, the ramen shop that uses coffee siphons to infuse their soup with katsuobushi.

Hongare Chukasoba Gyorai (本枯中華そば魚雷), or just Gyorai, is a siphon ramen specialty shop in North of Tokyo, near Korakuen station and the Tokyo Dome.

26/11/2024

Spicy oyster tomato ramen at Kitchen Troquet in Nakameguro. This is the only tomato ramen place I really like and would recommend. Always changing menu with lots of different twists and fusion combos like tomato tom yum or Italian fusion ramen. Worth a visit if want good tomato ramen in Tokyo

#ラーメン #らーめん

17/11/2024

New video up! Gyorai uses coffee siphons to extract the maximum amount of flavor out of katsuobushi into their broth - very unique and fun to watch. Plus: Very tasty.
Check it out:

Hongare Chukasoba Gyorai (本枯中華そば魚雷), or just Gyorai, is a siphon ramen specialty shop in North of Tokyo, near Korakuen station and the Tokyo Dome. The thing ...

11/11/2024

Lu around Fan x Raoh Miso Ramen
I can sometimes get pre-seasoned lu rou fan (ルーローハン) meat in my local supermarket which isn’t too bad by itself with some rice and a runny egg or poached egg. But this time I felt like trying something and just used it as topping for a Raoh miso ramen, kind of Taiwan ramen style, but different flavor profile of course.
Gotta say, this worked out pretty well, especially after adding some more chili and rayu during the meal.
Quick and easy lunch, can recommend 🍜

#ルーローハン　 #ルーローバン麺 #ラーメン #らーめん

10/11/2024

Chashumen at Toraibu
My go to iekei along the Toyoko Line between Shibuya and Yokohama.
The shops are all basically next to the station, Gakugei-Daigaku, Jiyugaoka and Musashi-Kosugi, with the last one being the honten.
Super solid, a good amount of funk, but not overpowering. Just a very good standard choice when I’m feeling like iekei style tonkotsu on a busy day and I’m on the Toyoko line anyway.

#度来武　 #ラーメン #らーめん

08/11/2024

Ramen Misoya in Nagano City
Arguably the most famous and popular ramen shop in Nagano City, serves a light miso ramen with the local Shinshu miso. Perfect for cold days and after winter sport related activities.
Video review now up on my YouTube channel 🎥 🍜

#みそ家 #ラーメン #らーめん

04/11/2024

Misoya (みそ家) is the most famous and popular ramen shop in Nagano city, just across the street of Nagano station. A must visit for all ramen fans making a stop in Nagano city.

Misoya is serving a miso ramen made with the famous local "Shinshu Miso" of Nagano, which has fans all over Japan. The shop only serves miso ramen, but offers variety as you can get spicy miso or miso tsukemen versions.

Misoya (みそ家) is the most famous and popular ramen shop in Nagano city, just across the street of Nagano station. A must visit for all ramen fans making a sto...

28/10/2024

Rishiri Kombu Ramen Kuroobi (利尻昆布ラーメン くろおび) is a rishiri kombu dashi ramen specialty shop, which focuses on drawing out the natural flavors and umami out of the highly prized rishiri kombu from Hokkaido.

★★★★☆ · Ramen restaurant