Machida Shoten Yokohama Ekimae

Machida Shoten is a leading Iekei ramen chain with branches nationwide, and its Yokohama Ekimae (station front) store is located in the competitive Tsuruyacho area on the west side of Yokohama Station. It is highly regarded for its consistently excellent ramen, made possible by a central kitchen system, allowing customers to easily enjoy authentic Iekei satisfaction despite being a chain. It's a popular spot in Yokohama, the home of Iekei, bustling with customers day and night. The soup is pork bone shoyu (soy sauce) based, with a well-balanced blend of aromatic sweetness from chicken oil, sharpness from the shoyu tare, and richness from the pork bones. The unique "pork bone" smell is relatively suppressed, leading many to say it's "easy for Iekei beginners to try". The noodles are short, medium-thick, and springy, effectively lifting the rich soup. It comes with large, soft chashu (braised pork), spinach, nori (seaweed), and its trademark quail egg. One of the joys is the wide array of table condiments. You can change the flavor with garlic, tobanjan (chili bean paste), and ginger, or add plenty of free "kizami onion" (chopped onion) for a crunchy texture and refreshing sweetness. The side menu is also extensive, featuring miso ramen, shio ramen, and gyoza. The lively and attentive service is also a specialty, with staff sometimes seeing customers off at the exit.