Tommy_ramen
"I ordered the 'Yasai Hanbun Ninniku' with less vegetables and half garlic for ¥750. I visited on a weekday at 2 pm. Even at this time, there were over a dozen people waiting outside, so I immediately joined the line to experience the Jiro ramen challenge. I was prepared for a long wait, but the turnover was very efficient, and I could see the owner's cooking process while waiting, so it wasn't too bad. Eventually, I was able to enter the shop much earlier than expected, in about 40 minutes.
After presenting my food ticket, shortly after, I received a friendly smile from the owner, who resembles Ichikawa Danjuro (formerly Ebizo), and it was time to call out my order. The bowl of 'Yasai Hanbun Ninniku' was served! Even though it was only half the vegetables, it was piled high. I tried some of the vegetables, which were quite chewy as they appeared. I dipped them in the soup and enjoyed the combination.
After reducing the vegetables a bit, it was time for the iconic 'tenchigae' - flipping the noodles into the soup. The thick, creamy pork soup at Jiro, along with the chewy noodles with a slightly rough texture and strong elasticity, was a delightful experience. The aroma of wheat was strong, and the rich umami of the pork soup complemented it perfectly. The pork was just the right size, tender enough to melt in your mouth, with a simple seasoning that allowed the natural flavor of the meat to shine.
As the garlic gradually dissolved into the soup, its presence increased, but I continued to devour the noodles and vegetables without worrying about the smell that would come later. Despite having ramen at 'Inoshishi TOKYO' just an hour earlier, I quickly finished the solid food, savoring a few more mouthfuls of the delicious creamy soup before completing the meal. This bowl, considered the pinnacle of Jiro's emulsified ramen, was like a lump of umami, and I was very impressed by the pleasant atmosphere in the shop and the owner's friendly demeanor."