TOMASSOON
<September 2023> Cold dipping soba + green onions + seasoned egg + Asahi draft beer Maruei
The opening hours of Maruei are limited, and when they were operating in Nishi-Waseda, I always missed the chance to visit due to being busy or the items being sold out. However, when they moved to Higashi-Koenji, I was lucky enough to find out. Despite wanting to visit when they first opened, I ended up going much later due to work and other commitments. They are currently only open in the evenings, and their operating hours seem irregular, so it's necessary to check on X (old Twitter) before visiting. Finally, during the summer holiday period on a Sunday, I decided to be a bit selfish and asked to go out for a drink, so I made a sudden visit.
<Asahi Maruei> A nostalgic Asahi original beer with a sweet taste! A departure from the dryness of Super Dry to a sweet flavor! Maruei offers the original Asahi beer that was popular before Super Dry became a hit. It's quite rare to find a ramen shop serving this, and it's even more impressive that they serve it in a medium bottle. It's known as "Maruei." Back when Asahi beer was struggling before the success of Super Dry, it's unclear why it was popular at the time. However, now it offers a new sensation, with a light and tasty flavor. While waiting for the noodles, I unconsciously took a few sips. The photo was taken after that, and my actions were like that of a borderline alcoholic. Unlike Super Dry, the sweet taste is prominent, making it a type of sake that pairs well with food. A similar impression can be found with the non-premium Suntory Malts, perhaps? In any case, this is the only place within my reach where I can enjoy it in a bottle, so whenever I feel like drinking it, this is the place to go!
<Overall> A simple and warm appearance with a coolness and warmth in the thick noodle lines! A cold dipping soba that combines old and new elements! This bowl is very interesting. It looks refreshing in a glass bowl, with well-arranged noodle lines that are modern, yet give off a warm and heartwarming vibe. It's a mix of simplicity and friendliness. It's called a cold dipping soba with an old and new feel. The ingredients are very simple, with only wakame, green vegetables, and naruto by default. To add a bit more, I included a seasoned egg and green onions, but the impact of simplicity is stronger.
<Dashi> A dashi with a gentle sweetness filled with a daily heartwarming sensation! A roundness that warms the heart! The dashi is very gentle and heartwarming, with no noticeable fishiness. It's mainly made from bonito flakes, giving it a soft and sweet flavor. Even if there are dried sardines, it gives the impression of a sweet dashi with a hint of anchovies. The integration of wakame also enhances the dashi, creating a very calming flavor.
<Noodles> Whole grain flat thick noodles! Despite their appearance, they have a strangely udon-like gentle taste! Laughter overflows! The whole grain flat thick noodles are very simple yet have a dignified appearance. The noodles are boiled in plenty of water and then cooled in cold water, giving them a firm texture. The base flavor is sweet, which matches well with the softness of the dashi. However, as you eat more, you might feel like you're eating thick udon noodles? It gives a sense of low gluten content. So despite their appearance, they have a strangely udon-like gentle taste, and laughter overflows!
<Ingredients> A single naruto representing the identity of ramen! Other than that, it's simple with fresh wakame and green vegetables! The basic ingredients are wakame and green vegetables. Although there's no menma, the presence of naruto maintains the pride of ramen. The quality of the green vegetables and wakame is good, enhancing the Japanese flavor when immersed in the dashi. The crunchy green vegetables and slimy wakame add to the overall taste. The thick flat noodles -