Noguchi Taro Ramen Kitashinchi Honten

This ramen shop, operated by the UNCHI Group, is a high-end kappo-style ramen establishment, a ramen offshoot of the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant "Noguchi Taro" in Kitashinchi. It is also known for being produced by Taka of ONE OK ROCK, and the interior displays numerous celebrity autographs. The signature "Taro Ramen" (880 yen) features a clear, nuanced shellfish dashi shoyu (soy sauce) soup, made with the umami of various shellfish like clams, hard clams, oysters, and shijimi clams. The mellow soy sauce aroma blends perfectly with the rich shellfish flavor. The noodles are medium-thin, straight, and made with whole wheat flour, offering a smooth texture and a wheaty aroma that pairs well with the soup. Toppings are simple: moist, rare chashu resembling roast beef, white wood ear mushrooms, hime-take (bamboo shoot) menma, and green onions, but the arrangement of the chashu draped over the rim of the bowl shows the delicate touch of a kappo restaurant. Opting for the "Taro Special" adds satsuma-age (fried fish cake) and a soft-boiled egg, with the surprising twist that the satsuma-age is infused with truffle oil. Derivative menus include "Hanako Ramen" with a strong bonito flavor and a limited edition tantanmen. A unique feature is the "ajien" (flavor change) you can enjoy by adding perilla oil mid-meal, which suddenly shifts the ramen closer to a Japanese cuisine profile. The "Aburi Chashu Don" (seared chashu rice bowl) side dish is a fragrant delight with finely chopped rare chashu and seared mayonnaise. With only 17 counter seats, the atmosphere is more akin to a sophisticated kappo restaurant than a typical ramen shop. It's also suitable for a late-night meal (open until 1:30 AM) as a "shime ramen" (closing ramen) after drinks in Kitashinchi. The 880 yen price for ramen offers exceptional value for money in this location.