maru5585
This is a new restaurant that opened on April 19th this year, and the owner is from the famous restaurant "Yakumo," so there has been a long line since the opening. Additionally, SUSURU praised it, so I decided to visit before it gets too crowded. The name of the restaurant, "DURAMENTEI," was named after the famous racehorse "Duramente," a dual champion horse produced by the owner of "Yakumo" and the owner of this new restaurant, who both love horse racing. The inclusion of "RAMEN" in the name shows great creativity. I arrived at 11:25 on a weekday and there were already 16 people in line. I was the 17th in line, and finally got inside at 12:15 after a 50-minute wait. I had already checked the menu and ordered the "Meat and Shrimp Wonton Noodles (Black)" for 1150 yen with an additional "Flavored Egg" for 100 yen. The interior of the restaurant has a clean L-shaped counter with 7 seats and a small cozy atmosphere. The owner and a female staff member were working, with the owner handling the cooking alone, so the service was a bit slow. After about 10 minutes of waiting and confirming that the noodles were from "Mikawa-ya Seimen," the dish was served. The dish, known as "Chin Ramen," looked different from the owner's previous restaurant. The soup was hot, which was a pleasant surprise. The soup had a strong chicken flavor at first, followed by a savory broth, creating a delicious balance. The soy sauce added a slight sharpness, but then mellowed out nicely. Towards the end, the savory broth became more pronounced, with a hint of sweetness, making it irresistible. The noodles were straight, medium-thin noodles with a square cross-section, made with whole wheat flour. They were cooked slightly firm, offering a satisfying chewiness and a good wheat flavor that paired well with the soup. The noodles' slightly rough surface helped them hold the soup, enhancing the overall experience. The chashu pork looked like pork shoulder but was likely cooked at a low to medium temperature, giving it a tender texture and rich flavor. The wontons, with two meat and two shrimp wontons, were reminiscent of the owner's previous restaurant, with a generous filling and smooth skin. The meat and shrimp provided distinct flavors and textures, complemented by a subtle seasoning that highlighted the ingredients' natural taste. The thin bamboo shoots had a crunchy texture and a strong sesame oil flavor, adding another layer of taste. The green onions also worked well with the soup and noodles. The perfectly cooked flavored egg was large, with a creamy and sweet yolk that was a highlight of the meal. Overall, this "Chin Ramen" had elements of the owner's previous restaurant but seemed to establish a new style beyond the original "Tantanmen" lineage. While I personally prefer the "Kazuya" lineage, I found this new restaurant equally charming and appealing.