yukio812
Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Kudanshita Station is a 10-minute walk away. [Weekdays] 11:30-15:00/18:00-22:30 [Sat/Sun/Holidays] 11:30-20:00 [Closed] Mondays *If Monday is a holiday, closed on Tuesday. Irregular holidays. No reservations recommended. [Queue] Arrived around 11:25 with 5 customers in front and 7 customers behind. [Interior] The owner is absent, with 3 assistants and 1 server. 6 counter seats, 2 tables for 4, total of 14 seats. Self-serve water, payment after ordering. [Order] "Original Ebi Maru Ramen with Flavored Egg" for 1510 yen. [Overall] Kudanshita and Jinbocho area are filled with delicious ramen, curry, udon, and other eateries, making it a gourmet paradise for food lovers. This time, I visited Ebi Maru Ramen, known for their ramen made with lobster soup by a former French chef, which has tremendous popularity. The owner moved to Tokyo at 17 and trained at a French restaurant in Kyobashi called "Chez Ino" before entering the ramen industry to make French cuisine more accessible. Despite having no ramen experience, the shop has been open for about 6 years and continues to be popular, which is impressive. I have high expectations! By the way, the lobster tsukemen at Hyonojin Somen 100-Nin Ten was also unique and delicious. Let's go check it out! Upon arrival in Kudanshita, I followed the path I took to Jin Ka and turned right. This area is filled with strong competitors like Maruka, a udon shop, Chuka Soba Katsumoto, and Hachitakarasu. As I walked, I checked the map on Tabelog and saw the line. Since it was a weekday, it wasn't too crowded, which was a relief. As I waited, the aroma of lobster was strong even outside the shop! The exterior looks like a stylish cafe and is very clean. A cute female staff member came out and handed me the menu. I already knew what I wanted to order. After a while, she came back to take our order. It was time for the shop to open. I sat at the counter, and the glass served for water looked like a wine glass. I think they call it a goblet for water. Having worked in the hotel industry, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia. It was fun. At this point, I felt like I was at a French restaurant. The surprises kept coming, with the female staff member bringing a hot towel and paper napkin. Then she said, "Excuse me. Here is an amuse-bouche of pumpkin and lobster cream pudding! Please enjoy!" An amuse-bouche?! In French cuisine, it's a small dish served before appetizers or snacks. Are we really at a ramen shop? At this point, I was starting to feel like I was at a French restaurant. Everything was so surprising and enjoyable. The interior was very clean and had a relaxed atmosphere with soothing jazz music playing. As someone who used to work in hotels and even taught table manners, I felt a strange sense of determination. Let's do this! French showdown! Anyway, the ramen was served a bit late, about 15 minutes later. The rich, bright red soup with cherry tomatoes, sour cream baguette, chashu, and red onions had a stylish and elegant look! The presentation was truly impressive! I picked up the soup with the spoon, and it was thick and rich. When I slurped it, the intense flavor and aroma of lobster spread throughout my mouth, followed by the subtle sweetness of various vegetables and ingredients. It was delicious! There was no unpleasant or off-putting taste, and the soup was elegantly enjoyable, which would surely captivate female customers. However, if you're allergic to shellfish, this is not for you! Next, when I slurped the noodles, they were medium-thick and had a chewy texture that paired well with the thick soup. The noodles were not bad in terms of texture and flavor. The sour cream baguette had a crispy outer layer and a fluffy inside, with a hint of acidity that complemented the rich soup perfectly. This was an essential topping. The chashu was thinly sliced and made from chicken, and the thin slices paired well with the rich soup. The aroma of wheat was also pleasant and delicious. Overall, it was a delightful experience with surprising elements that made it enjoyable. The atmosphere was elegant and relaxing, and the food was delicious and beautifully presented. I highly recommend this place for a unique ramen experience!