Taishiosoba Touka Sogo Yokohama

Taishio Soba Toka is a popular ramen shop with branches in Shinjuku, Yotsuya, and elsewhere, with its Yokohama store located on the 10th floor restaurant area of Sogo Yokohama. The shop specializes in a light-bodied (tanrei-kei) salt ramen featuring sea bream (tai) broth, and its elegant, modern Japanese interior complements its department store location. The classical music playing in the background gives the shop the atmosphere of a refined Japanese restaurant rather than a typical ramen shop, attracting many families and female customers. The signature Taishio Ramen boasts a striking clear, golden-hued soup made with 100% true sea bream dashi. It is free of the typical fishy odor or bitterness, offering a refined flavor where the sharpness of salt harmonizes with the umami of sea bream, accentuated by the refreshing aroma of yuzu peel. The noodles are smooth, thin, and highly hydrated, pairing perfectly with the light soup. The beautiful presentation, with white and pink flower-shaped fu (wheat gluten) adorning the char siu, is also a highlight. Another specialty is the set meal with Tai Chazuke (sea bream over rice in broth), which reportedly serves about 40,000 portions annually. Slices of sea bream coated in sesame sauce and arare (rice crackers) are placed on rice, then dashi or ramen broth is poured over it to enjoy as a finishing dish. The menu also offers a wide range of options, including light-bodied salt tsukemen, chuka soba with rich fish powder, and rich seafood tsukemen.