Nice soy sauce based ramen!

I like this Ramen .

Issaku's Summer. Savoring Japan's very first 'Cold Rich' ramen." "Issaku's summer. Standing before this menu, hesitating over what to order is quite foolish. What the body instinctively craves is none other than that one-and-only, nationwide first masterpiece: the 'Cold Rich Ramen'. I will never forget June 2024, when I was chosen for the exclusive tasting event limited to just 30 slots. Ever since encountering that fateful bowl, I have been completely captivated by this ramen. It is a daring and unprecedented challenge, even nationwide, of taking Issaku's signature super-rich 'kotteri' broth and intentionally serving it chilled. The special soup, with its umami and richness condensed to the absolute limit by chilling, has an astonishingly high viscosity that clings thoroughly to the noodles. Despite being cold, it feels completely free of greasiness, leaving behind a crisp and pleasant aftertaste. And when talking about Issaku, what you absolutely cannot leave out are the free, all-you-can-eat 'scallions' and 'pink ginger' sitting proudly on the table, along with the 'homemade kimchi' which commands a presence fit for a star. If you submerge a mountain of vibrant green scallions from your small dish into the soup, a refreshing crispness is added to the richness, creating a perfect harmony. In the middle of the meal, the crunchy texture and refreshing acidity of the pink ginger, combined with the deep spiciness and fermented umami of the kimchi dissolving into the soup, make the outline of the cold broth stand out even more sharply, functioning as a superb accent. This versatile customization by these stellar supporting actors is the true essence of Issaku. The happiness of savoring this dense coolness that seeps deep into your whole body during the hot summer. If I must be picky, there is the luxurious dilemma that the regular size feels a bit lacking in volume for this level of satisfaction, but such a thing can easily be solved with a kaedama (extra noodles). The shock remains unchanged since the day of that tasting event; no matter where you look across Japan, this is the ultimate masterpiece bowl of summer that can only be found right here.

+3

I visited Issaku Ibaraki branch for lunch on a Saturday. Since it was lunchtime, there was a line outside, which clearly showed its popularity. It seems to be a well-regarded restaurant among people working in the area. What makes this place unique is that you can choose the richness level from 1 to 10. I ordered level 2 this time, but even so, the soup was quite rich, thick, and had a heavy mouthfeel. You could firmly taste the umami of chicken and vegetables, and I think it's a must-try bowl for anyone who loves rich ramen. A popular restaurant that I definitely recommend visiting for anyone who loves rich-style ramen.

+3

First visit on the way back from visiting a grave Since it's along a major arterial road, the parking lot is quite large, and of course bicycles and motorcycles can be parked too Inside the restaurant, there are counter seats and table seats, and since it's face-to-face ordering, you can take your time looking at the menu without rushing, which is appreciated You can choose the richness of the kotteri ramen from level 1 to 10, which is nice You can change the flavors in various ways with the table seasonings, and the scallions and pink ginger are also free (take an amount you won't leave behind) I ordered the fullness set with kotteri ramen, half-fried rice, and fried chicken Since our table was by the window, there was a large window overlooking the road While looking outside, the ramen arrived, and the half-fried rice and fried chicken were served right away too. Itadakimasu 🍴🙏 The thick kotteri is irresistible, and since it's my first time, I went with level 6 Let me put plenty of free scallions into the rich soup 🍴🙏 Of course I won't leave any leftovers. The medium-thick straight noodles go very well with the soup Deliciously finished every single drop of soup without leaving any behind Char siu is tender and delicious Even after having a thick soup, the fried rice is delicious. That doesn't mean it has a strong salty taste, but it's well-seasoned I liked it, it's to my taste 3 pieces of fried chicken served with salt and lemon, crispy and juicy and delicious 🍴😆✨ The staff are smiling and kind, the restaurant is bright, and of course children's menus and children's tableware were available I was able to have a relaxing and delicious meal Finished deliciously. Thank you for the meal today.