We were highly recommended this location for Ramen by the Rokuten sales rep when we were getting cell phone numbers just down the street. He said this was his favorite go to Ramen spot in sangenjaya. And it is now ours… The full special meal was about 13 bucks and it provided about double the amount of noodles from any other Ramen spot I’ve gone to anywhere. Everything made fresh in front of us by the single chef running the operation on this busy corner and sangenjaya hello. We had passed it a number of times and it was always busy in days prior and then finally jumped in thankfully ourselves. I highly recommend this as a quick high-quality food option in sangenjaya for lunch or dinner, if you can get a seat!

When I walk in, after ordering from the ticket machine outside, which only takes cash and has no English and isn't easy to navigate with Google translate, the first thing I notice is the triangular red counter. Also, the loud dance music. But the music turns pretty quickly to something a little more folksy. It must be some popular Japanese top forty station because everything playing is a little overproduced, but it's also very diverse in sonic style. The place is full of workmen in uniforms, which makes me think it's probably going to be good, or maybe just super filling and a very good value. I notice a bowl of forest green pickles and another with some kind of reddish brown paste. Mayonnaise and garlic and radish right in front of me. There's a giant black pepper shaker, industrial size. I didn't know what to do with all the stuff, so I watched the people around me and realized the pickles and paste were for the rice bowl, which I didn't order. I got the special ramen because it was the first button on the machine and there was already a line of people forming behind me. When I hand them my ticket, I think they ask me for a spice level, but I'm not exactly sure what they're saying. "Wakari ma-sen," I respond. "Regular ok?" He asks, clearly not comfortable with English. "Hai! So desu." I looked up the distinct style they serve here while I was waiting. It's called ik-kei ramen. I learned it originated in Yokohama and it's mostly about the broth. That's the key characteristic: it's made from pork marrow and soy sauce. So, when they hand me my bowl, I taste the broth first. It's thick and rich like a brown gravy. It's almost creamy, with toasted flavors. It tastes like it might be made with a roux. It's unique and delicious. Similar to a tonkotsu broth, but heavier, more toasty flavor, and a bit more complex from the soy umami. They serve medium-to-thin noodles that are super firm and toothy, and the heavy broth coats them in so much flavor. It really lives up the ramen promise. There's wilted greens that taste like spinach, too. And a large slice of fragrant pork shoulder. Also five sheets of nori and a ton of green onions. Plus, half an egg. I never know what to do with the nori, but I see the guy next to me stirring it into his ramen, one sheet at a time. So, I try it. I like it. From now on, I'll probably eat it that way. At least until I see someone else do it differently. The egg is super creamy, and when coated with the thick broth, they compliment each other nicely. The pork is really well seasoned and has a strong roasted flavor. It's tender enough that the fat has rendered and the sinew has broken down, so it must have been cooked very low and slow, but it has a strong maillard flavor. You know, that salty pork-fat flavor that you usually get when you make the outside of a pork shoulder or pork butt roast and brown at higher temperatures? I'm guessing they start with a hot roast and then turn the temp down low. It's delicious. Order an extra slice if they have that option. Overall, this is a delicious bowl of ramen. It's a distinct style and there's some provocation in the flavor complexity. Definitely worth a try.

+3

First time trying this kind of Yokohama Ramen Style, brought by a friend. First of it kinda too in-your-face, but along the way, and after adding the rice to the ramen, with a glimpse of the garlic, it all changed. chugged the whole portion with extra noodle, and no regret at all.

I’m usually not a big fan of Ie-kei style ramen with their oily thick broth and the intense smell. Awesome surprise, this place was not like that at all! They give you free rice with your ramen as well.

+2

This is a ie-kei ramen shop that just opened in July. I think the soup is quite thick and creamy among the ie-kei ramen shops in the Sangenchaya area. I really like it ✨ I think it would be very popular right away.

+3