Ramen is delicious when eaten hot, but there are some restaurants where the noodles' appeal is taken to the next level when chilled with cold water. The top three in this category are Harukiya, Chukasoba Mitaka, and Ramen Takao. Of course, there are many other restaurants like these, but if you love chilled noodles, you must try the chilled noodles at Harukiya, Mitaka, and Takao. I've decided it's definitely worth trying! So, this time, I decided to try the chilled noodles at Takao, which is known for its amazing chilled noodles. It was my first time trying chilled noodles at Takao. Well, I could already tell it was going to be delicious! The Chilled Wonton Chashu Ramen with extra noodles and a raw egg cost 1050 yen plus 50 yen for the egg. The chilled noodles looked amazing when they arrived. I started by pulling out the noodles from the bottom of the toppings and slurping them up. The noodles were incredibly delicious! The chilled noodles had a unique and exceptional taste. They were firm, sweet, aromatic, and had a great texture and smoothness. I couldn't stop slurping them up! The sauce for the chilled noodles was a traditional soy-based sauce with a strong sour taste. Usually, with this type of sauce, the noodles get overpowered by the sauce, but here, the balance was perfect, allowing both the noodles and the sauce to shine. However, I felt that the sourness could be toned down a bit. The addition of sesame oil in Harukiya's chilled noodles added a unique touch, highlighting the restaurant's long-standing reputation. Breaking the raw egg into the noodles added a creamy richness that complemented the sourness of the sauce. The toppings included wonton, chashu, cucumber, menma, naruto, and chili. While the toppings were simple compared to other extravagant chilled noodles, they were more than enough. On that hot day, many customers were ordering chilled noodles. When I arrived within 10 minutes of the opening, there was already a line of over 10 people. I couldn't help but feel a little sad, thinking that Takao might become another super popular restaurant like Chukasoba Mitaka. Thank you for the meal!

During a regular lunchtime, I ordered the Abura Soba without having to wait in line. Although it wasn't on the menu, I paid an extra 100 yen for a slightly thicker sauce, which I adjusted by adding vinegar. I mixed in the green onions, menma, and noodles and enjoyed it. When I got the bill, I was surprised. The Abura Soba was 600 yen! I didn't realize that the regular ramen was only 500 yen! The location in Ogikubo, the taste of the ramen, and the price - everything was amazing! One word: incredible. I was truly impressed by this restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

I revisited Ramen Takao in Suginami, Ogikubo today around 11:05. I ordered the Chashu Ramen with extra noodles and garlic. I also added plenty of chili oil. It's been a while since I had the Chashu Ramen at Takao.

Tomaso's Blog: https://www.ramentabete.com/entry/2023/09/26/000000 Tomaso's YouTube: https://youtu.be/R9uodAp1Q-8 <September 2023> Abura soba + raw egg + bean sprouts + garlic + seaweed + greens + side dish of mini chashu + Sapporo Red Star + Sapporo Black Label There was a meeting/presentation that required some effort/persuasion on this day, so I was feeling restless since the morning. I found myself reaching for coffee more than food, and my stomach felt strange. Despite the challenges, we were able to reach an agreement with the key person, which made me let out a big sigh of relief. There were some issues pointed out, but at least we have a clear path forward. With a yearly salary, if we were still having disagreements at this point, it would be difficult to achieve our annual goals. We seem to be able to make it through until the New Year. I wanted to visit Chuka soba Mitaka or Ramen Takao, which I personally find the most relaxing and comforting, during such important times, as I feel the tension eases when I visit them... I had been patient and waited to visit until I felt a sense of closure. Now that I can go, I quickly made a visit. I thought maybe I had been forgotten, but the owner greeted me with a "long time no see," which put me at ease. <Sapporo Red Star> Ah, the reliable label! Still a favorite of Showa-era men! The solid body and strong bitterness are just great! Drinking beer at Takao after a while feels refreshing. It's only been about two months, but well, I started with Red Star without hesitation. Hmm... the thick body and strong bitterness are just right. As you get older, you start to appreciate the robust, full-bodied flavors. Bitterness is good. Not just bitter, but also a hint of sweetness that makes it enjoyable. It has a rich taste that satisfies. And to top it off, despite its thickness, it has a light aftertaste. Red Star is still the best! <Sapporo Black Label> Hehe... a national favorite beer that you can drink easily with a light sweetness and a solid feeling! I was feeling a bit bloated from the Red Star. But I felt like drinking more! So, instead of adding more Red Star, I'll go with a small bottle of Black Label. This is a taste I learned from my part-time job when I was young. It has a somewhat solid feel, but with a light sweetness that lingers afterwards, making it a good choice for drinking a lot without feeling burdened. <Side dish of mini chashu> Deeply marinated in sauce, crispy coarsely chopped meat pieces! Drizzle with chili oil and mix with bean sprouts! The pork is first fried in oil, then simmered in broth to finish. The chopped pieces that are formed when shaping the meat are what make up the "mini chashu." It is served on a plate, with the sauce deeply infused and a crisp, flaky texture. It's like extremely coarse chopped meat pieces. This time, I naturally drizzled some chili oil on it, and there are bean sprouts hidden under the meat, so mixing it all together is also a delight! It's a popular item, so sometimes it sells out at night. <Overall> Truly exciting! The power of bean sprouts and green onions! Refreshing greens with a vibrant color! Glossy raw egg! It might not be clear in the picture, but it's quite voluminous. With the additional ingredients, it's overflowing. Although it's considered "soup-less style" due to it being abura soba, it actually feels like it has a bit more broth than usual. The cute naruto stuck to the simple sliced pork is adorable. And maybe because I'm a regular, there's quite a generous amount of green onion garnish, creating a lively atmosphere. Adding more bean sprouts adds to the overall excitement. And to top it off, a raw egg! It's enticing! Just imagining the egg yolk breaking and dripping makes me even more excited. <Noodles> A little like soba...

In early September 2023, I met up with some noodle-loving friends at this place for a bowl of oil noodles. I ordered the oil noodles for 600 yen, with an extra 50 yen for garlic and 50 yen for green onions, along with a side of special char siu for 300 yen, and two bottles of Akahoshi beer for 550 yen each. We arrived slightly earlier than the scheduled time and were seated at a table in the back. We started with a beer and a plate of special char siu as an appetizer. The char siu was served with green onions and bean sprouts, and when drizzled with chili oil and soy sauce, it paired perfectly with the beer. After finishing one beer, I ordered the oil noodles and another beer. The oil noodles, a popular menu item here, consisted of noodles topped with char siu, bamboo shoots, green onions, garlic, and fish cake. The homemade noodles were thin and had a chewy texture. The soy sauce-based sauce was rich and flavorful, coating the noodles well and making them irresistible. Mixing in the garlic added an extra depth of flavor. According to a regular customer, the garlic is not grated but processed in a food processor. The generous amount of green onions added a nice crunch to each bite. The bamboo shoots were tender and interesting, while the char siu had a satisfying chewiness. As I enjoyed the noodles and toppings with my beer, I eventually finished the whole bowl. I decided to try the soup refill, and the owner brought a pot of broth to pour into the remaining noodles. It was a unique and enjoyable experience. The soup refill was also delicious, and I left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I visited the shop "ら～めん 高尾" where the head chef who trained at "中華そば みたか" works. It was a place I had been curious about for a while, so I went there on my bicycle while in Ogikubo. It's a bit far from Ogikubo Station, located in a calm atmosphere. When I arrived, there was a line outside the shop, showing its popularity. Despite the hot weather, I was determined to try their ramen, so I waited in line. There were chairs for waiting outside the shop, and after about 30 minutes, I finally got seated. I wanted to compare the taste with "中華そば みたか," so I ordered a simple ramen. It arrived! The appearance was similar to "中華そば みたか," and the taste was also delicious! I quickly finished it while sweating in the heat. It was a satisfying meal! By the way, it was quite hot inside the shop that day, and even though there was air conditioning and a fan, it was still uncomfortably hot. It was a shame not to be able to enjoy the hot and delicious ramen in a cooler environment.

Ramen 500 yen, double extra noodles 100 yen, garlic 50 yen. Ramen Takao in Suginami-ku, Ogikubo 5-9-17. I revisited around 11:40. I ordered the ramen with double extra noodles and extra garlic. I added chili oil, vinegar, and enjoyed it. #ramen #noodles #chinesenoodles #garlicramen #noodlestagram #noodlelover #Ogikubo #Suginami-ku #Tokyo #Takao

It's Sunday at 1:00 PM. There are about 10 people waiting inside and outside the shop. The noodles have a good chewy texture. The chashu is average. I recommend adding menma topping. If you get the large serving, it's a decent amount. The soup is the most unique feature - it's plain and simple. Overall, it's a decent place but not worth waiting in line for. I'd like it to be less crowded. That's why I gave this rating.

Arrived at the restaurant on Saturday at 11:14 for lunch. Originally planned to go to Jiro Ogikubo, but suddenly changed my mind and decided to visit this place because I had a strong craving for it. When I arrived at the restaurant, there were two seats available at the counter. Looking at the menu, I saw they had a summer limited edition cold noodles. After some consideration, I ordered the following: Cold Noodles ¥600, Ramen ¥500, Bean Sprouts ¥50 (for ramen), Garlic ¥50 (for ramen). I also ordered some takeout items: Menma ¥200 x 2, Pork Cutlets ¥100. I'm really looking forward to trying the cold noodles for the first time this year. In recent years, I've been eating Jiro-style cold noodles, so it's been a while since I had regular cold noodles. The dish arrived in just a few minutes. The simple toppings of chashu, cucumber, and menma were delightful. The sauce, which had a soy sauce base with a balanced acidity and black sesame seeds, was delicious. I mixed the toppings, added some mustard, and it was amazing. After finishing the cold noodles, I ordered the ramen. The grated garlic on top of the bean sprouts was freshly grated, not from a jar. I cautiously tasted the hot soup first, making sure the garlic didn't dissolve. The soup was light yet flavorful, leaving a lingering taste. After a few bites of the noodles, I mixed in the garlic. The soup, already addictive, became even more irresistible with the punch of garlic. I can't resist garlic in my ramen. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and finished every last bit. Thank you for the delicious food.

Visited a ramen shop in Ogikubo during their dinner time on a day off. ~Order~ Ramen 500 yen The light soy-colored, clear soup had a refined taste with a subtle umami from the broth. The saltiness was relatively mild, which I liked, but the aftertaste was a bit off-putting. The noodles were medium-thin straight noodles with a strong firmness, but I found them slightly powdery. With this gentle soup, I think softer textured noodles would suit my taste better. Toppings included green onions, chashu, menma, and naruto. At 500 yen, I won't complain about the lack of luxury, but it felt a bit lacking. Hmm, maybe the cost performance is good, but it wasn't my favorite ramen. Thank you for the meal.

Chilled Chinese noodles for 600 yen, with an option for extra large size for 50 yen. Ramen Takao, located at 5-9-17 Ogikubo, Suginami-ku. I revisited around 11:10 AM. There was one seat available at the counter, so I was seated right away. Today's heat is not as bad as yesterday, so I decided to go with the chilled Chinese noodles. It arrived in about 10 minutes. They sprinkled some chili oil on top for me. It's a great value for the price. #ChilledChineseNoodles #ChilledRamen #Ramen #ChineseNoodles #NoodleLover #Noodlestagram #RamenLover #Ogikubo #Suginami-ku #Tokyo

This time, I went to Ogikubo. I saw this place being introduced on TV recently and felt like eating here. So I came. It was a decent walk from the station. Looking at the menu, the prices are quite cheap for nowadays. So, I ordered the Wonton Char Siu Ramen for 900 yen, with extra noodles for 50 yen, seaweed for 50 yen, and greens for 100 yen, totaling 1100 yen. I didn't have to wait long, just a short wait at the counter. And here it is. First, the noodles. Medium-thin straight noodles. They are chewy with a nice texture, unique but delicious. Since I got extra noodles, it's a generous portion. I really like this. Next, the soup. Light but with a strong broth flavor, full of umami. The soy sauce has a good kick to it. So, it's a soup with a high standard, juicy and delicious. And the toppings. The egg is white and firm, which is nice. The komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) is crispy and goes well. The seaweed enhances the umami of the soup. The chashu is thin but packed with flavor and has a nice chewiness. There's plenty of it. In conclusion, a ramen that may seem traditional but has a strong presence of the ingredients' flavors. Definitely worth trying in Ogikubo. Ramen is truly delicious. See you again. I have switched to Ameblo. https://ameblo.jp/yokohama-rameo

Visited for Sunday lunch. Waited about 20 minutes before being seated. Today, we came for the Sunday special miso ramen. I ordered the miso chashu ramen, while my wife got the miso wonton ramen. It was a hot day, so we also ordered bottled beer and a plate of menma. The miso soup was rich and had a spicy kick to it, very flavorful. The noodles were medium thickness and straight, perfect for soaking up the soup. We shared some chashu and wonton, both of which were delicious. Overall, it was a very tasty bowl of ramen. Thank you for the meal.

Oil Soba Exploration Season 6 comes to a close with a surprising find at a yakitori restaurant. The oil soba turned out to be unexpectedly high quality, making it difficult to end on a strange note. However, while on a job near the Chuo Line, I stumbled upon a unique restaurant that didn't have oil soba on the menu but still offered it upon request. The place seemed laid-back from the outside, but upon entering, it quickly filled up with customers. I ordered the ramen and requested it to be made into oil soba for an extra 100 yen, with additional toppings of extra noodles, yuzu pepper, and a half-boiled egg. The simple yet perfectly balanced oil soba arrived, with a flavorful broth and a sharp taste of tare. The half-boiled egg, which turned out to be a poached egg, and the yuzu pepper added extra layers of flavor. Despite the lightness of the large portion, I found myself finishing it quickly and thoroughly enjoying the meal. The price of 700 yen at the checkout seemed lower than expected, but upon checking the menu later, it should have been 750 yen. Perhaps the owner forgot to charge for the extra noodles. As Season 6 comes to an end, I feel like my restaurant selection skills have improved. I hope to continue discovering great restaurants in the second half of the year.

Cold Char siu Ramen for 900 yen, with an extra-large serving for 50 yen. Ramen Takao, located at 5-9-17 Ogikubo, Suginami-ku. I revisited around 12:20 pm. There were two people waiting inside the restaurant. Although there were empty seats at the counter, there were no available seats for two people, so we had to wait. After a few minutes, two seats opened up and we were able to sit at the counter. I had been curious about their cold ramen for a while, so I ordered the Cold Char siu Ramen with an extra-large serving. They mentioned that it would take some time for the cold noodles. After waiting patiently, the dish arrived in less than 20 minutes. It was topped with black sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, thinly sliced cucumbers, and plenty of Char siu! There was also a slice of fish cake. The sauce had a slightly strong acidity, but when I added some chili oil, it balanced out the vinegar taste and enhanced the sesame aroma. It was satisfying to eat, and there was plenty of Char siu to enjoy. In the summer, cold ramen is definitely recommended. #ColdRamen #Ramen #CharSiuRamen #ColdCharSiuRamen #FishCake #Takao #Ogikubo #Suginami-ku #Tokyo.

<June 2023> Chilled Chinese noodles with vegetables, seaweed, raw egg, served with wontons and bamboo shoots plates, paired with Sapporo Red Star and Kirin Lager It's been a while since my last review. This review is based on a meal I had about two months ago, so please keep that in mind. <Sapporo Red Star> The initial bitterness with a robust malt flavor followed by a light sweetness at the end is delightful! Red Star is truly satisfying. It pairs well with casual Chinese food as well as high-end Chinese restaurants. It's a versatile flavor that complements any Chinese dish. The initial bitterness followed by a robust malt flavor and a light sweetness at the end is really nice. It's a beer that you never get tired of. Lately, I always check if a ramen shop serves Red Star before deciding to eat there. <Kirin Lager> The classic bitterness that is perfectly balanced for a great taste! A great ordinary flavor! Next, I switched to the familiar Kirin Lager! Hehehe... I've been familiar with this brand since the days when it was still heat-treated. It's a taste that brings me a sense of peace. While I used to find the bitterness strong, now I feel it's slightly lighter? The richness is still solid as ever. It was a bit hot that day, so the refreshing taste of this beer was really satisfying. Having a beer on a day off is truly the best! <Wonton Plate> Refreshing and cold! The chewy texture that stretches and sticks in the cold vinegar-based sauce is delightful! I recently discovered the deliciousness of wontons. They are still delicious even when cold. The chewy and elastic texture is enjoyable. Whether dipped in a tangy sauce or, as I did this time, drizzled with chili oil from the start, it adds a touch of dim sum-like experience to the meal. The elasticity enhances the flavors and adds to the enjoyment! <Bamboo Shoots Plate> Enjoy it with a drizzle of chili oil! Embrace the spiciness and the refreshing taste of chopped green onions with the fresh bamboo shoots! As I always mention, it pairs well with chopped green onions, and I always add chili oil. The combination of the refreshing taste of green onions and the spiciness of the chili oil is satisfying. This will be a recurring theme in this review. <Overall> Appreciating the simplicity and warmth of the chilled noodles! The texture that even makes the cold feel gentle! The noodles have a soba-like appearance even when chilled! The flavor and firmness! The direct sweetness in the base mixed with the vinegar-based sauce! It's fun to play with the egg yolk and chopsticks before eating. The way the egg yolk drips onto the noodles as you lift it with chopsticks... it looks delicious. The noodles have a basic soba-like appearance. They have a slight sweetness to them. The firmness and chewiness are enjoyable, and the rough texture of the noodles is comforting. When you chew, the texture changes, and the sweetness mixes with the sauce, creating a harmonious taste. Of course, I'll enjoy it to the fullest by adding meat in between bites, and it's always a fun experience that never gets old. <Sauce> A hint of sweetness and umami in the acidity! The typical tangy vinegar-based sauce of casual chilled Chinese noodles! Mix in some mustard and chili oil for a delicious kick! This is the typical tangy vinegar-based sauce of chilled Chinese noodles. It might have less sugar and a stronger umami flavor.

I found a ramen shop in Ogikubo where you can get ramen for 500 yen. I ordered the cold wonton chashu ramen for 1000 yen. The cold noodles were served with a unique soy sauce-based sauce that had a slight bitterness. The homemade medium-thick noodles had a good texture and the wontons were delicious. The cold cucumbers and bamboo shoots were crunchy, and the generous portion of chashu was tender and flavorful. Most people were eating warm ramen, so I'll try that next time with some beer. I haven't heard of a 500 yen ramen shop outside of chain restaurants, so I want to cherish this find. Thank you for the meal.

On Saturdays, there is usually a wait for lunch for about 3 people! Lucky! There is a table seat at the back, making it possible to enter with a baby stroller. I ordered the wonton ramen for 700 yen, which is cheap! The clear and delicious soy sauce-based soup has no off-flavors. The wonton topping is also smooth and easy to eat. Oh, I almost forgot! Finally, the noodles! The slightly thick straight noodles are unique and to my liking. I want to come back again. Will definitely return.

Lunch Menu: - Wonton Men: ¥700 (tax included) - Bean Sprouts: ¥50 (tax included) This is in Ogikubo. In the Ogikubo area, there are many well-established ramen shops like "Harukiya" and "Marufuku" that are rooted in the local community. In Ogikubo, there is a ramen shop that seems to be becoming one of these popular local shops in the near future. Just a 5-minute walk from Ogikubo Station South Exit through the Nakadori Shotengai, you will find "Ramen Takao". The owner is said to be originally from "Chuka Soba Mitaka" in Mitaka. It has a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, like a ramen shop from a rural area. Although this shop is a new establishment in 2021, it is already quite popular with lines forming. When I visited around 12:30 on a weekend, there were about 10 groups of people waiting, including those inside the shop. After waiting for about 30 minutes on the chairs placed outside and inside the shop for waiting customers, I was finally seated. Many people around me were enjoying the Sunday-only "Miso Ramen", but since it was my first visit, I ordered the "Wonton Men" with bean sprout toppings for ¥750. For reference, a standard ramen can be enjoyed for ¥500. Let me emphasize again, this is in Ogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo. It took about 6-7 minutes to arrive. The nostalgic appearance evokes a sense of nostalgia. The toppings included naruto, menma, green onions, chashu, and the additional bean sprouts. The soup seemed to be made from chicken bones and dried sardines, quite light in flavor. The noodles were homemade medium-thick straight noodles with a slightly rough texture. The portion size was impressive. Although it lacked richness and umami, personally, I found it a bit unsatisfying. However, considering it as a classic, no-frills ramen spot beloved by the local community, this might be just right. After all, it's only ¥500 a bowl. Even if it didn't suit my taste, the damage was minimal. With pleasant customer service included, it seems like it will become one of the representative ramen shops in Ogikubo.

Today's lunch noodles❣️ At Takao-san in Ogikubo, had the combination of Akaboshi and Cloud Swallow plate! Followed by ramen with boiled egg and garlic topping❣️ Akaboshi & Cloud Swallow plate is the ultimate combo! So delicious, the refreshing Tokyo-style ramen at Takao-san is still my favorite. The chopped garlic was also great. Thank you for the meal~ #RamenTakao #CloudSwallowPlate #OgikuboRamen

<May 2023> Cold Wonton Char Siu Ramen with Raw Egg + Staff Meal Char Siu Plate + Sapporo Red Star + Sapporo Black Label Draft Beer On a Sunday, after a weekend of work with tight deadlines and high importance, along with some mistakes on my part and persistent demands from stakeholders, I was feeling exhausted. I didn't feel like doing anything anymore. I thought about spending the whole day at home drinking beer, but my craving for ramen was too strong. And since it was a hot summer day, I couldn't sit still, so I headed to "Ramen Takao," my favorite place to blow off steam. <Sapporo Red Star> Reliable label as always! The robust body and strong bitterness that I love! Hehehe... starting with beer as usual! I have a thing for thick, full-bodied beers with a strong bitterness. As I grow older, I tend to prefer these types of beers. It's not just about the bitterness; I also appreciate a subtle sweetness. The robust flavor is enjoyable, and despite that, it leaves a light aftertaste. Red Star is the best! <Sapporo Black Label Draft Beer> A national classic beer with a light sweetness that you can drink endlessly! I used to fill my fridge with this label only. It has a decent weight to it, but the light sweetness that lingers after drinking is nice. <Staff Meal Char Siu Plate> Drizzled with chili oil, mixed with bean sprouts! Deeply marinated and flavorful roughly chopped meat pieces! It's the scraps that are left when shaping the char siu. The marinade penetrates deeply, giving it a rich aroma. The meat pieces are roughly chopped, providing a satisfying chewiness. I also tried drizzling chili oil on it, and the bean sprouts hidden beneath the meat added an extra touch when mixed together. <Overall> Simple layers of meat! Cold and refreshing wonton! Glossy raw egg! A whimsical cold dish! It's a unique style of cold noodles that retains its original roots but with a high level of originality. The simple layers of meat, cold and refreshing wonton, and glossy raw egg topping make it stand out as a cold noodle dish. It's a whimsical cold dish that allows for various customizations, making it quite rare in the world of cold noodles. <Noodles> Enhanced flavor and chewiness with a direct sweetness from the base! The soba-like texture deepens when served cold! The unique soba-like noodles that I've talked about so many times. It's nice to taste the chilled sensation after a long time. The cold serving enhances the direct taste of the noodles. The noodles have a slightly harder texture, providing a satisfying chewiness, and the rough slipperiness of the noodle surface is pleasant. The texture changes as you chew, and the mix of sweetness and sauce creates a harmonious and delicious taste. <Raw Egg> The rich and creamy egg yolk mellows out the overall flavor! Blending with the vinegar soy sauce-based sauce creates a deep richness! It's not common to enjoy cold noodles with raw egg in Tokyo. It may look like a typical cold noodle dish, but it's actually a unique twist. It blends well with the noodles, especially when mixed with the vinegar soy sauce-based sauce and chili oil, creating a surprisingly mellow flavor that spreads throughout. <Sauce> A typical vinegar soy sauce-based sauce for popular cold noodles! The punchy acidity with a hint of sweetness ===========