maru5585
This popular restaurant has been open since December 2005, marking its 18th year. Personally, I'm not a fan of restaurants that offer a wide variety of menus as they can often be mediocre and it can be hard to discern the quality. However, I heard about this particular restaurant and its dedication to ramen, so I decided to give it a try. When I arrived at 12:55 on a weekday, there was no line, and the restaurant, with 9 counter seats and 2 four-seater tables, had about 10 customers already seated. The wooden sign outside has a rustic charm, but the interior is clean and well-maintained, without feeling dated. The staff, consisting of 4 members, worked efficiently. I usually go for "shoyu" ramen, but this time I saw that "shio" ramen was recommended, so I ordered the "shio ramen" for 800 yen with an extra "flavored egg" topping. The ramen was served in about 6 minutes. The slightly cloudy golden soup looked inviting and tasted gentle, yet rich with umami from the blend of chicken, pork, and seafood broth. The noodles were firm with a good chew, a typical style from Asakusa Kairakurou, and paired well with the soup. The thinly sliced pork chashu was flavorful and tender, while the seasoned bamboo shoots and crunchy watercress added nice textures. The perfectly boiled flavored egg with a velvety yolk was a delight. Overall, the "shio ramen" was well-balanced and delicious without any flaws. It may lack a standout "punch" or "unique flavor", but achieving such a harmonious balance is a feat in itself. As a soy sauce ramen fan, I was impressed by the taste. I'd like to try the other flavors in the future, but for now, I think it's best to appreciate the excellence of this restaurant without comparison. The restaurant may face challenges given its variety of flavors and the effort put into each dish, but I hope they continue to excel. Thank you for the meal.