鍵
Cold Salt Ramen for 1,600 yen, Half-cooked Flavored Egg for 200 yen, Mixed Rice (small) for 250 yen. I visited the restaurant on foot as it's nearby, the nearest station being Higashi-Ogu-3-chome on the Toden Arakawa Line. I arrived at 11:40 and went inside. I purchased a meal ticket from the ticket machine on the right and filled my cup with water from the nearby water purifier. A staff member directed me to the second seat from the right at the counter towards the back. There were 4 customers before me and 2 after me. The staff consisted of the owner, Shiohito, and a young male staff member who also acted as a waiter. I ordered the cold salt ramen, which had recently made a comeback and was limited to 5 servings for both lunch and dinner, and fortunately, they still had some left. It took 12.3 minutes for my order to arrive. When I handed over my meal ticket, the staff asked if I was okay with waiting a bit longer, to which I replied affirmatively. Shiohito explained that it takes about 8 minutes just to finish cooking the noodles because they boil them first, rinse them with tap water to prevent them from becoming warm, and then soak them in ice water in the refrigerator for a second time to chill them. This level of attention to detail was apparent from the beginning. The dish comprised medium-thick noodles from Teuchi-sei topped with one slice of roasted Magret de Canard, three pieces of grilled pork fillet specifically prepared for cold dishes, one complimentary piece of grilled pork belly, two pieces of fresh bamboo shoots, a flavored egg that I requested as an extra topping, one sheet of seaweed, and garnished with Kujyo green onions. The soup was made from whole Koshu chicken and pork broth, as simply chilling it would cause it to gelatinize and lose its soup-like consistency, so they extended it slightly with dashi made from dried baby sardines, bonito flakes, and mackerel. The salt sauce consisted mainly of Awaji Island seaweed salt, blended this time with Mongolian salt. The oil used was blackthroat seaperch oil. The noodles had recently been changed from a 16th to a 14th cut, and the hydration level was around 38% with a medium-high water content. First, I tasted the chilled soup, which had a delicate aroma of blackthroat seaperch that tantalized my senses. The salt seasoning was well-balanced, and the chicken's umami flavor was superb without being overwhelming. As I savored the Magret de Canard, the richness of duck flavor filled my mouth, bringing sheer delight. Next, I tried the noodles, which were perfectly firm and had a satisfyingly chewy texture, truly delicious. The cold-prepared grilled pork fillet had a delightful fragrance and was incredibly tender, allowing the pork's flavor to shine through beautifully. It was my first time having pork fillet chashu at a ramen shop, and this specially prepared grilled pork was an exceptional treat in itself. The soup ice cubes were not traditional cubes but rather crushed for easier melting and to enhance the broth, showcasing remarkable attention to detail. The bamboo shoots were crunchy and free from any off-flavors, and the flavored egg, despite being cold, was exceptionally flavorful, the best I've had in recent memory. I enjoyed the mixed rice as is initially, finding it generously filled with ingredients and perfectly seasoned, truly delicious. Finally, I poured the remaining chilled soup over the rice as a finishing touch and polished off every last drop. The restaurant also recommends this combination, and it's truly outstanding, making me eager to return for another visit. Overall, it was the ultimate cold salt ramen experience with meticulous attention to detail throughout. I look forward to visiting again soon. Thank you for the wonderful meal.