Menya Hulu-lu

A Hawaiian-themed ramen shop, listed among Tabelog's Top 100, located about a 10-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station's West Exit, closer to a residential area. Crafted by owner Mr. Furukawa, a Hawaii enthusiast, the shop specializes in light (tanrei-kei) chicken broth ramen, offering refined bowls and a wide variety of seasonal limited-time menus. Their signature Shoyu SOBA and Shio SOBA feature a unique style with a small amount of minced meat floating in a clear chicken broth (torichintan - clear chicken soup), showcasing a distinct dashi flavor and a well-defined tare (kaeshi - seasoning base). The moderate oil floating on the surface results in a light yet profound finish. The noodles are homemade thin, straight whole wheat noodles, with a pleasant wheat aroma and a firm, snappy texture that pairs well with the soup. Toppings include large, lightly seasoned chashu (braised pork), menma (bamboo shoots), kaiware (radish sprouts), ito togarashi (shredded chili pepper), and iwa nori (rock seaweed), creating a visually appealing composition. Coupled with wooden spoons (renge) and bowls, the presentation integrates perfectly with the shop's Hawaiian atmosphere. The true essence of this shop lies in its limited-time menus, which appear almost every month. These are diverse, including Soy Milk Tantanmen, Spicy Mazesoba, TOMATO Ramen, "Chokotto Niboshi SOBA" (light sardine broth), Tori Paitan SOBA (creamy chicken broth), Hawaiian Cold Lomi Lomi Salmon Basil SOBA, the 100-Hour Curry Collaboration Tsukemen (dipping noodles) series (including VTuber collaborations), Year-End Collaboration Ramen, Anniversary Ramen, and many more. This wide variety, which sees many repeat customers leaving notes, ensures you can encounter a different bowl each season. Popular side dishes include the Truffle-scented Aedama (seasoned extra noodles) for 400 yen, and TKM (Tamago Kake Men - egg over noodles), which many enjoy adding to their soup towards the end to savor a double-noodle experience. Hawaiian side dishes like Spam Musubi are also available, and the stylish interior makes it a welcoming place for solo female diners and families.