Before my evening plans, I decided to end my solo lunch in 2022 by heading to "Ajino Taisho". I called the day before to confirm their business hours and was relieved to hear they were open. Despite the challenging road conditions and snowfall as I approached Sapporo, I arrived safely at the opening time - phew! There was one regular customer already there, and one more arrived after me. I had already decided to order the "Char siu Ramen Shoyu (¥700)", and it did not disappoint. The restaurant has a small seating area with 5 counter seats, but the highlight is being able to see the kitchen in action. The sight of flames from the wok is truly impressive and a must-see for anyone ordering ramen. The Char siu Ramen arrived in less than 10 minutes, and the presentation was impressive with a generous amount of toppings. The thick slices of Char siu, 6 in total, covered a bed of vegetables and menma cooked in the wok. The Char siu acted as a lid, hiding not just the noodles but also the vegetables! The Char siu, ranging from tender to chewy, was a delight, and the fact that you get so much for ¥700 is unbeatable. The sweetness of the shoyu added to the flavor. The soup, infused with the umami of the vegetables, had a sweet shoyu taste with a surprising depth. The hint of ginger gave it a refreshing finish. The vegetable mix included onions, carrots, bean sprouts, among others, all cooked to perfection with a nice sear. The menma was crunchy and light, providing a contrast to the rich soup and vegetables. The dedication of the grandmother who put her heart into every dish without compromise was truly impressive. Even skipping breakfast, I left feeling full thanks to the generous portions at such an affordable price. The warmth of the grandmother's personality added to the satisfaction, and I'm already considering the katsudon for my next visit. It was a great way to end the year with a satisfying lunch. Thank you for the meal.

This time, I visited after seeing the thickness of the chashu on Tabelog. The first taste was soy sauce ramen! It had a sweetness from the vegetables and a hint of ginger in the soy sauce broth. The chashu was thick and had a satisfying texture. The flavor of the chashu was cooked in a slightly sweet sauce. Next time, I plan to try miso, salt, and spicy miso in that order. As for the toppings, there were bean sprouts, onions, and cabbage that were slightly seared. Please be careful as the parking lot is located at the back!

I had miso ramen. The retro Showa era interior of the restaurant, with the energetic middle-aged lady handling everything alone, is charming. She is friendly and creates a pleasant atmosphere. The rich flavors of ginger and garlic, along with plenty of stir-fried vegetables like bean sprouts, onions, carrots, and cabbage, blend well with the gentle umami of miso in the soup, making it delicious. The medium-thick curly noodles are firm and delicious as they soak up the soup. The highlight is the large, thick slices of flavorful chashu pork, with two pieces included for only 650 yen, making it great value. Although they recently raised their prices, it's still quite affordable. If this place was nearby, I'd definitely become a regular. I really like this nostalgic, old-fashioned restaurant.

I've been curious about this ramen shop for a while! The owner handles deliveries while his wife is in charge of cooking. They have been running the business for a long time, but I heard rumors that they might close due to the wife's declining health. I kept thinking I need to go there soon! The miso ramen (650 yen) had a soup that was saltier than I expected, with a rich miso flavor. The noodles were soft and curly. The dish was filled with bean sprouts, onions, carrots, and green onions, all cooked until tender and delicious. It came with two thick slices of flavorful chashu, which had a satisfying chewiness. All of this for just 650 yen, which is a great deal considering the recent price increase. I wrote "650 yen" three times because it's such an important point. I look forward to revisiting soon to try their yakisoba! Thank you, Daisho!

Hirao, Taste of Daisho, open from 11:00 to 15:00. My mom said you need stamina to handle it! This place may not be the cleanest, but that's okay with me. The miso chashu ramen in large portion is 900 yen. For this price, I would come back again. By the way, I'm the same age as the owner. The chashu ramen is great! The miso has a nice garlic kick to it!

Every time I know that regular ramen should be satisfying enough. However, when ordering, everyone orders chashu ramen, so I end up ordering it too... The amount of chashu is incredible. And it's so soft and delicious. But it gets spicy halfway through. Still delicious though. Managed to finish it somehow. Next time... Next time... I think I'll end up ordering chashu ramen again. Thank you for the meal.

I had the miso chashu here. There were only 6 seats at the counter. The chashu here is thick and very delicious with a generous portion. They raised the prices for noodles by 100 yen and rice dishes by 50 yen starting in June, but even so, 800 yen is still a great value for the portion size. If you love chashu, be sure to try it.

This ramen is 800 yen for this volume. I tried the spicy miso, soy sauce, and miso flavors, but the miso was the most delicious. The soup is gentle yet rich and flavorful. The thick slices of chashu are hidden even underneath the chashu, so I tried to count them but gave up halfway. If you love chashu, you should try this. Thank you for the meal.

The ramen here used to be different, but when I came back after a while, they had raised the price to 650 yen. However, you get four thick slices of chashu, which is a great deal. The soy sauce ramen I tried for the first time had amazing compatibility with the chashu. It felt like a taste from the good old days. After finishing your meal, remember to return your empty bowl to the counter.

On May 10th, I went to Aji no Daisho. It was crowded. There was a person behind me who kept opening the door every 3 minutes to check on the customers' movements. It was annoying. When it was my turn, the lady took a while to take my order. The person behind me ended up ordering before me, but my water arrived while theirs didn't. It was chaotic. I ordered miso ramen, but the person behind me seemed to have trouble placing their order. They were struggling, so I helped by clearing some empty bowls at the counter. When my order arrived, it was supposed to be miso ramen, but it turned out to be miso chashu instead (the chashu was stacked vertically).

It's like a scene from a bygone era with a narrow ramen shop next to a yakiniku restaurant. Inside, a mother cooks alone over a flame. The Chashu Ramen comes with six juicy, 1cm-thick slices of chashu for only 700 yen! The prices seem to have remained unchanged from the Showa era. I hope this place stays around for a long time. #SapporoGourmet #KitakuSapporo #Hiraoka #Ramen #AjiNoDaisho #MotherRunningTheShow #ThickChashu #ShowaVibes #AmazingFood

There is a shop along the Takino Koen Dori in Atsubetsu. The shop is quite old. The female owner is elderly but manages the shop alone, providing very humble customer service, so the shop has a high likability. The prices are unbelievably low, not fitting the Reiwa era. The ramen has remained at the same price for 13 years. I always order the chashu ramen. I ordered the soy sauce chashu ramen. It costs 700 yen including tax. The stir-fried vegetables are plentiful, and it's an old-fashioned ramen, but really delicious. I hope this ramen shop continues to operate forever!

Shortly after being transferred, my wife and I stumbled upon a small ramen shop with a door that looked like a back entrance, but with a large curtain hanging in front of it. The shop had a nostalgic Showa era feel, with only 6 seats (though it may have been 5 back then). The prices were always reasonable, and we used to visit often, starting 9 years ago. Due to the pandemic, we hadn't been in a while, but now that masks are a personal choice, we decided to revisit the place. When we arrived a little after 11 o'clock, there were already 2 cars parked in front and more in the back, so we thought it might be full. We cautiously opened the small door and entered the shop, finding only one seat available near the entrance. The lady working there seemed busy, preparing the orders. I decided to wait, watching TV and checking my phone until the other customers' orders were ready. After finishing the delivery and preparing meals for 5 people, I ordered the Shoyu Ramen and Cha-han. By the time they were ready, the other customers had left, leaving me alone in the shop. The lady mentioned that there had been a long line since before opening, which surprised her. She seemed quite busy indeed. I didn't want to bother her with conversation in such a busy time. The ramen and Cha-han were delicious, with thick slices of Chashu and plenty of vegetables. The Cha-han was also filled with Chashu, making it very satisfying. Even with Chashu Ramen and Cha-han, the total cost was only 1200 yen. In this day and age, it's quite a deal, but I couldn't help but think they could raise their prices a bit. The lady had mentioned before that she didn't need much profit as she was living off a pension, but the prices and portions were more than generous. Seeing the lady busy with both delivery and in-shop orders, and the regular customers voluntarily clearing their tables and helping clean up, was heartwarming. I followed suit and helped clean up before leaving. It's a small gesture, but it's the least we could do for a shop that provides such affordable and delicious meals. It was a satisfying experience revisiting the shop, enjoying the food, and catching up with the lady. I hope she continues to do well, as the shop is truly loved by the locals. Thank you for the meal.

I visited the restaurant after 1:30 PM on Sunday to avoid the crowded time, but the counter was full and there was one person waiting ahead of me. After about 10 minutes, a family of three left and I was able to enter. I wanted to order the pork cutlet curry, but they were already sold out, so I ended up getting the regular soy sauce ramen (sad face). The price was almost like a one-coin meal, which was impressive, but I'll have to come right at opening time next time. Before entering the restaurant, I saw a man who had just finished a delivery order. He mentioned that he only delivers to nearby places due to health issues, limiting it to company-related deliveries and personal homes in the immediate neighborhood.

Such a powerful chashu! This volume for 700 yen. I wonder if it's profitable... The soy sauce is a bit sweet, enhancing the savory aroma of the vegetables. The chashu is all about the meat. Thick slices with no fatty parts, incredibly tender and satisfyingly filling. Thanks for the meal.

I had been really curious about "Aji no Taisho" for a while. The entrance of the taste is narrower than the curtain, and just the appearance of the shop was already shocking. I finally got the chance to visit this shop. In the past, I tried to visit this shop twice, but both times it was closed. Even though the data showed that it was within business hours, I wonder if it was because they ran out of soup or something like that. However, this time I visited during lunchtime, so the shop was open. Yay! When I entered the shop, it was full. There were only 6 seats...and there was no waiting area because the aisle was narrow, so I had to wait outside the shop. Since the shop is run by a single mother, I thought it would take a while to get in, but after waiting for 20 minutes, two customers left and I was finally able to enter. Inside the shop, the mother was handling everything from cooking to washing dishes and cashing out. She seemed quite busy, and she was frantically washing dishes in between cooking. I wanted to help her. Looking at the menu, the prices were cheap. Char siu ramen for 700 yen, fried rice for 500 yen, katsudon for 650 yen, etc. It made me wonder if they were making a profit. I ordered the miso char siu ramen. The mother silently made a portion of miso char siu ramen for four people all by herself. She stir-fried vegetables in a pot while boiling the noodles in water. The noodles only took about 3 minutes to cook. When she started cooking, it took about 7 minutes to finish. - Miso Char Siu Ramen 700 yen [Overall Rating] ★★★☆ 3.7 The thick slices of char siu were 5 pieces. Even for 700 yen, it still seemed too good to be true. It was of a quality that could easily be priced 200 yen higher. The ramen itself tasted like the kind you would find in a friendly Showa era diner. Despite being miso flavored, it didn't taste very miso-like. I personally liked the taste, but the char siu was a bit dry, so I thought that next time I might just go for regular ramen. [Soup] ★★★☆ 3.9 The miso soup was on the sweeter side, but it wasn't too strong. The base flavor of the soup was solid, and it didn't have a very strong miso flavor. I liked it. It wasn't too salty, and it was a gentle soup. It was so delicious that I ended up finishing the whole bowl, but my blood pressure didn't rise. People who prefer rich soups might find it lacking, but it was a perfect match for me. [Noodles] ★★★☆ 3.5 The noodles were medium-thin curly noodles. They didn't have any particular features, but they matched well with the soup. I didn't feel like they were lacking, so I think they were a pretty good match. This shop also seemed popular for its fried rice, as everyone except us ordered it. It looked delicious too. Next time, I might try the fried rice. It's a mystery how the kitchen staff enter and exit the kitchen in this shop. It was a shop that made me feel the nostalgia of the Showa era. Thank you for the meal!

Char siu ramen Entering through a door that doesn't close properly in the cold, I find myself in a time slip-like Showa era space. The interior of the restaurant has only 5 counter seats. I sit at the empty end. An elderly lady is stirring a pot by herself. I wonder if she noticed me coming in and sitting down. Should I ask for water? Should I place my order? I hesitate. Finally, the elderly lady takes my order. At that moment, I notice that out of the 4 other customers, 3 have not had their orders taken yet. Char siu miso ramen!! The only choice. Despite being the only staff, the occasional voice of an old man delivering takeout. He was making takeout orders before taking our orders. Now, the char siu miso ramen is as always, piping hot and hearty. Even though there is no steam rising, it is still hot. The sweet and savory stewed pork char siu is so thick, I wonder how many slices are in there. And all this for only 700 yen in this day and age. I worry about whether they are making a profit. But it's delicious ♡ The customers keep coming in one after another.

I came across an amazing ramen here. The ideal chashu was just incredible. Thick yet tender, and the amount was abundant. It had no fatty parts, which is exactly my preference. Other ingredients were typical like bean sprouts, onions, leeks, and carrots, and the soup had a hint of sweetness. The noodles were ordinary, but the chashu alone made me very satisfied. It's no wonder it's crowded. I will definitely go back again. Thank you for the meal.

The parking lot has a shared parking lot behind the store. There is a narrow entrance with a curtain hanging, which may be mistaken for the entrance to a yakiniku restaurant. I visited around 1:30 pm and upon entering the store, I found a small place with about 5 counter seats, filled with a Showa era atmosphere. The customers, mostly regulars, were quietly enjoying their ramen. The mother was running the place by herself. The menu on the wall offers ramen starting from 500 yen, as well as curry and set meals. I ordered the Chashu Ramen for 700 yen, with miso flavor. The ramen arrived with incredibly thick chashu slices, about 1cm thick, on top. The aroma of roasted lard, ginger, and garlic sautéed vegetables was appetizing. The noodles were medium-thick and chewy, perfectly complementing the rich soup. It was delicious, similar to Jiro-style ramen. I was very satisfied with the generous portion of chashu. Looking at the menu on the wall, I noticed they also had Katsu Curry for 650 yen. I decided to order it as well. The Katsu Curry arrived on a rectangular plate with a half-cooked egg on top. The curry had a sweet flavor with a rich taste that went well with the rice. The portion was huge, almost like a large serving, especially for the price. It was a satisfying meal.

The famous ramen shop "Aji no Daisho" serves a Chashu Ramen with thick slices of Chashu, almost 1cm thick, totaling 6 slices. The Chashu has a satisfying chewiness and is very filling. For just 700 yen, it's a great deal! The stir-fried cabbage, carrots, onions, and bean sprouts add a delicious flavor. The light and gentle miso soup complements the dish perfectly. The retro interior of the shop, with only 5 counter seats, may be described as old-fashioned and humble by some, nostalgic by others, and comforting by others.

After the end of the Heisei era and the beginning of Reiwa, it has been 5 years already. Time passes quickly, but "Showa" always remains a good memory. For today's lunch, I visited the famous restaurant "Ajino Taisho" in Hirao, Sapporo. This place is always highly ranked in the ramen rankings in Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, showing its popularity and quality. The restaurant is located at 1-1 Hirao 9-jo, Kiyota Ward, Sapporo. It is along the Atsubetsu Taki-no-Koen Street, just after crossing the Tohoku Street. As you head towards the Kiyota Ward Office, you will find the restaurant on the left side of a slightly worn-out New Town building on the first floor. There are parking spaces in front of and behind the restaurant. When I arrived at 11:30, I entered the small door and found a nostalgic Showa-style interior with only 5 counter seats in this bustling shop. The place was already full within 30 minutes of opening, showing its popularity. I ordered the classic "Salt Ramen" for 550 yen. Quite cheap, right? This restaurant was established in 1987, making it a veteran shop of 35 years. The small lady in the kitchen was vigorously stir-frying the ingredients in an iron pot in front of me. She then added a generous amount of fire, following the traditional Sapporo style of cooking. The noodles were lifted with a clatter using a bamboo strainer. I was impressed by the lady's skillful movements. Despite the high number of orders, including takeout, it took about 15 minutes for the ramen to be served. The ramen bowl had a traditional yet beautiful blue rim, adding a touch of elegance to the classic design. Now, let's dig in. First, the soup. It had a nice balance of salt and the rich flavor of lard, creating a nostalgic taste of Showa. The noodles were medium-thick curly Sapporo egg noodles, slightly softer in the old style. The noodles were provided by Kobayashi Seimen, a well-known brand in Sapporo. The chashu was delicious, a classic two-slice pork belly chashu without any unpleasant smell, offering a satisfying bite. The stir-fried bean sprouts and onions, along with plenty of bamboo shoots, cabbage, and carrots, made for a hearty and flavorful combination. I quickly finished the noodles and ingredients. Finally, I slurped up every last drop of the soup, savoring the delicious taste. Once again, I cleaned my bowl and drink. This ramen was truly a "Showa-style Sapporo classic." It was affordable and tasty, reminiscent of the neighborhood ramen shops that were common in the past. If you're in the area, I recommend trying their Chashu Ramen next time. Before I knew it, a line had formed outside. This popular neighborhood ramen shop was truly delicious. Thank you for the meal! (Visited on November 1, 2022 / 159th bowl of ramen in 2022, total of 784 bowls) (Posted on August 13, 2023)