In February 2023, I visited Marukoshi Ramen in Shinonome Town while waiting for the milk to arrive at the Michi-no-Eki. The owner, who appeared to be in his 70s, was running the shop by himself. The menu offered ramen (shoyu, shio) for a reasonable price of 500 yen. I opted for the Gomoku Shio Ramen (700 yen) as I prefer salt-based ramen nowadays. The soup, made with pork bones and lard, had a slightly yellowish color and a nostalgic taste that I surprisingly enjoyed. The noodles were a bit overcooked, but they matched well with the retro atmosphere of the place. The ramen was topped with ingredients such as Chinese cabbage, onions, spinach, narutomaki, pork, small shrimp, squid, shiitake mushrooms, boiled egg, and even green peppers typical of Shinonome. Despite the light taste of the salt ramen here, the lard and seasoning made it quite flavorful, tempting me to slurp up the soup. Although the popular restaurant Kiichiro is nearby, I found Marukoshi to have a unique charm with its old-fashioned vibe and affordable ramen. I plan to try their one-coin ramen and fried rice next time. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Salt ramen with paitan soup might be delicious, miso ramen was also with paitan soup, it was another good choice! 🍜

This is a shop I visit occasionally. It is easy to find as it is located just before the railroad crossing on the way from Shizunai to Niikappu Town, with a log house-style exterior. When I first visited, I found the ramen to be lighter in flavor compared to what I was used to, but for some reason, I couldn't forget the taste and ended up visiting multiple times. Personally, I recommend the salt-flavored ramen, which is similar to Hakodate's salt ramen. The soup, which may seem light at first, is actually rich, with a thin film forming on the surface after some time. I am now addicted to this unique taste. While soup and noodles are often the highlights of a ramen shop, I particularly like the chashu here. I am not a fan of fatty meat, so I appreciate the lean chashu served here, which is also well-seasoned. The Gomoku ramen is packed with ingredients like bamboo shoots, seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, and pork loin, truly living up to its name. This may not be a well-known shop, but it holds a special place in my heart. (Oh, they also serve rice bowls and fried rice, by the way)

Located in Shin-koron Town, this ramen shop is a bit off the main road (across the tracks) and easily recognizable by its log cabin-style exterior. The cozy interior features an L-shaped counter and a few raised tables, with a single lady running the show, giving it an old-fashioned ramen shop vibe. The menu includes various ramen options, fried rice, curry, and rice bowls. When asked for a recommendation, the response was, "It's up to your taste," so I decided to try the miso ramen (650 yen). After a 7-minute wait, the ramen arrived. The soup was neither too rich nor too light, with a traditional flavor. The medium-thin curly noodles were surprisingly generous in portion, leaving me quite full. At 650 yen, it's a reasonable price, but whether you feel it's worth it depends on your personal taste. Recommended for those who enjoy old-fashioned ramen.

Today, I went to Marukoshi Ramen in Shingata for the first time. I believe Marukotei in Shizunai is the main store? I ordered the Gomoku Chashu Ramen. Since it was close to closing time, there were only two customers including myself, so we used a small raised seating area. The ramen arrived in about 10 minutes. The soup was quite light in flavor. It felt a bit lacking for me, who prefers stronger flavors. There were vegetables and scallops in it, and it seemed like there was a seafood dashi in the light soup. In addition to ramen, there were also rice dishes like curry and katsudon on the menu.