I went to eat masurao. I was expecting Jiro-style ramen, but there were no calls asking things like whether I wanted garlic, so it was a little different from what I had imagined. Still, it was very delicious in its own way. It doesn't pack a punch, but it's mild, rich yet light. They also added extra garlic for me. They say the noodle portion is 1.5 times larger, but if you're used to eating Jiro or Jiro-inspired ramen, it feels small and leaves you underwhelmed. Maybe I should have ordered their signature chashu rice ball too…

+3

I suddenly remembered 五丈原 and had an intense craving for it, so I went back for the first time in 25〜6 years. Last time I went to the main branch, but this branch is closer to home, so I went to the 月寒 branch. Having discovered lots of delicious ramen over these 20-odd years, I honestly wasn't blown away, but it's still as delicious as ever. Keeping that same delicious taste all this time deserves respect. Also, being able to choose one free item at lunchtime—a chashu rice ball, a boiled egg, or rice—is a real treat.

+3

The defining feature of the ramen here is the 2 fairly large slices of chashu. As for the noodles, I don't know how many shops in Sapporo use them, but I believe they're the somewhat thin, curly noodles from 佐藤製麺工場 in Asahikawa. They're noodles you often see in asahikawa ramen. The broth has no odd flavors or smells, and the salt level isn't excessive. It's a nice, mild broth. It's ramen with “thin, curly, low-hydration noodles in tonkotsu broth,” reminiscent of 「山桜桃」 when it was opposite the 琴似メシアニカ building back in the early, single-digit years of Heisei, or 「山頭火」 when it first expanded into Sapporo. It's not bad. Actually, it's the kind I like. If I had to point something out, perhaps it's a shame that the broth doesn't stay piping hot until the end?

+1

Cleanliness first! The inside of the shop isn't cleaned thoroughly! It feels awkward, like eating at a single man's home (I'd really like to say unpleasant). I had the “tonshio” ramen, and it reminded me of 山頭火. It's delicious. Though it's nothing new. The male staff's lack of energy was just as described in other comments. Start with cleanliness and friendliness!

It probably comes down to personal taste, but the noodles seemed like instant noodles and weren't great. The broth was neither good nor bad. The large menma and meltingly tender chashu were delicious. As rumored, the service really is terrible. There wasn't even a welcome greeting.