Ginza Genraku

Ginza Genraku Ginza is a se-abura shoyu ramen (pork back fat soy sauce ramen) shop located on the first floor of Maruyama Building, just a minute's walk from Higashi-Ginza Station, behind the Ginza 4-chome intersection. This establishment is a noren-wake (branch) from the main store in Kuramae, Taito-ku, extending Tokyo's lineage of se-abura chatcha-kei (a ramen style characterized by vigorously sprinkling pork back fat) to Ginza and Shinbashi. It's renowned for its flavor that inherits the spirit of "Tosa-kko Ramen," a legendary restaurant that captivated a generation during the Kan-nana era. The signature dish, "Gen Ramen" (850 yen), features a rich shoyu tonkotsu (soy sauce pork bone) soup, meticulously prepared by simmering pork knuckles for over 20 hours with various vegetables, kombu seaweed, and shiitake mushrooms. This hearty soup is then topped with a generous scattering of powdered-snow-like se-abura (pork back fat), covering the entire bowl. Despite its impactful appearance, the soup offers a surprisingly light mouthfeel, as the pork back fat is carefully processed to add only an elegant sweetness and richness. The noodles are medium-thick and curly, characterized by a chewy texture and a savory aroma coated with the pork back fat. Toppings include thick-sliced bara chashu (pork belly chashu) that melts in your mouth, half a seasoned egg, flavorful sweet and savory menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), green onions, and nori seaweed. A popular set meal (1,200 yen) combines the ramen with "Han Buta-meshi" (half pork rice), which consists of diced chashu, green onions, and nori over rice. The menu also offers the salt-based "Raku Ramen," tsukemen (dipping noodles), warm tsukemen, chashu-men (chashu ramen), and various additional toppings. A wide array of tabletop condiments – including special sauce, sesame oil, ground sesame, ichimi chili powder, grated garlic, spicy sauce, pepper, and tobanjan chili bean paste – allows for extensive ajien (flavor alteration). The counter seats are equipped with Ichiran-style partitions, making it an established spot for focused, solo dining.