I arrived at the restaurant at 11 o'clock on a holiday. They offer seafood and meat options. The images show a meat-based salt ramen, a spicy and rich ramen, and a pork bowl. My favorite was the spicy and rich ramen. If you like spicy food, you might want it even spicier. The minced meat was plentiful and the pork was tender and delicious.

I visited this ramen shop while touring the town of Esashi. There are only three parking spaces available, but if they are full, you can park at nearby facilities in the town. The shop itself is not very spacious. I tried the kombu soy sauce ramen. The noodles were my favorite type, thin and firm, and the soup was hot and flavorful. I thought it was a ramen shop with a great sense of style.

I am currently staying at my parents' house due to my ski instructor activities, and while the meals at home are satisfying in terms of nutrition and taste, I occasionally crave ramen from outside. It has been about a month since my last visit to Menkichi, so I decided to go out and try it again. There are several ramen shops in Esashi that come to mind, but this time I chose to visit Menya Ichi. The shop was being run by the owner alone on this day, and they had a limited menu. However, knowing the deliciousness of the ramen here, I had no hesitation in choosing a menu item. I opted for the "miso ramen" and added double topping of chashu as I was craving meat from my athlete lifestyle. Now, for my impressions. The soup had a rich umami flavor without feeling greasy, with the added depth of miso flavor. Although there was some oil floating on top, it wasn't overwhelming. The wavy medium-thick noodles were perfectly cooked, with a firm texture and great flavor that absorbed the soup well. The chashu consisted of melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and firm chicken thigh meat, offering a delightful contrast in texture and quality. The double topping portion satisfied my meat cravings even more. Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the ramen. This is definitely a place I would want to visit again when I come back to Esashi.

After finally finishing various tasks at my parents' house, I only have to take them to their medical appointments before I can return home. Before leaving, I decided to eat something that I had been wanting to try, and since there was another event happening that day, I chose to have ramen at "Menya Ichi" as the first stop. Lately, I have been eating light, salty ramen, so this time I wanted something rich and hearty. I had been thinking of miso ramen as an option, but since it was the first hot day of summer in Esashi, I decided to go for a hot bowl of ramen to cool down. When I looked at the menu, I found a "spicy miso" option under the "rich" category, which seemed perfect for cooling down with a hot bowl of ramen. The soup was rich and flavorful with a good amount of spiciness, making me almost choke for a moment. The noodles were thin but firm, and the pork belly chashu, chewy chicken breast, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts complemented the dish perfectly. It was not only delicious but also so good that even writing about it now makes me drool. The ramen was quite spicy, but the strong air conditioning in the restaurant made it bearable. However, when I stepped outside, the heat and the sweat from my body hit me all at once! Despite that, experiencing this kind of sensation during the summer and enjoying a hot bowl of ramen for cooling down is quite nice. It had been a while since I had ramen in Esashi (excluding the homemade ones at my parents' house), but I definitely don't want to miss out on "Menya Ichi" ramen whenever possible.

Traveling to road stations in Hokkaido. On August 7, 2020 (Friday), the car was parked at the road station Esashi for the night. Let's find a place for dinner... I felt like having ramen, so I searched for a nearby ramen shop. There seems to be a shop called "Menya Ichi" nearby. I input it into the navigation system and off we go. The small shop had parking space for about three cars. Hmm... Doesn't seem like there are any other customers... Is it okay? The entrance to the shop was a bit intimidating, but I gathered my courage and entered. A young shop owner with a beard welcomed me. I sat at the counter and read the menu. Feeling like having something rich, I ordered the miso ramen. Since I was the only customer, the service was quick. The ramen was served in about 5 minutes. It had chopped green onions, soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoots, chashu pork, bean sprouts, and relatively abundant toppings. First, I tried the soup. Wow, it's delicious! It's a clear broth but has a rich flavor without being too salty. It goes really well with the noodles. There seemed to be two types of chashu pork... I should have asked the owner. I didn't do any research before entering the shop, but it turned out to be a great choice. Later, when I checked on Tabelog, I was surprised. Wow, it's a hidden gem with a rating of over 3.3! A delicious ramen shop in such a countryside area. This is a hidden gem indeed. It was a great meal.

Visited my hometown on April 22 to work from home due to the situation, stopping by in Esashi. Before entering my parents' house, I thoroughly disinfected my clothes, belongings, and body with diluted chlorine bleach solution, and washed the clothes I was wearing. After taking all the necessary precautions, I arrived safely. The first thing I wanted to do when I entered my parents' house was to get a haircut. Since my original plan for a haircut around March became almost impossible due to the current situation, I had been growing my hair since December last year. I managed to trim my bangs a bit with scissors at home, but it was getting in my eyes. After getting a haircut and running some errands for my aunt, it was lunchtime. I decided to go eat ramen. During this period of staying at home, I had only eaten instant ramen except for one time dining out, so I was craving the taste of restaurant ramen. When I arrived at the ramen shop, I noticed that the shop was going through a tough time, as indicated by the sign at the entrance. My heart goes out to them. I entered the shop and decided to order the "Kombu Shio" ramen, as I wanted something light today. Due to a decent number of customers, it took a bit of time for the ramen to be ready, but I was okay with waiting. The ramen finally arrived, with a slightly cloudy appearance typical of Esashi-style salt ramen soup. The soup, labeled as "Kombu Shio," had a strong flavor of dried sardines, supported by the umami of kombu dashi and meat-based broth. The strong flavor of dried sardines was due to the generous amount of fish powder sprinkled on top. However, with the support of other flavors, the soup turned out delicious. The noodles had a good chewiness until the last bite. It's rare to find noodles that retain their firmness even when slurped until the end. As for the toppings, there were pork belly chashu, chicken breast meat rolls, menma, and seasoned egg. The pork belly chashu was tender and fatty, while the chicken breast meat was sliced at right angles to the fibers, providing a chewy texture and allowing the flavor of both meats to shine. The menma had a nice crunch with a balanced saltiness, and the gooey yolk of the seasoned egg was delightful. I enjoyed the meal! Hopefully, we can return to a time where we can dine out without worry, even without taking extra precautions. After the visit, I found out from their Facebook page that due to the state of emergency declaration, the restaurant had decided to close from April 25 to May 6. My timing for the visit was just right before the closure, but it was a reminder of the difficult situation many businesses are facing. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy, and I pray for the situation to improve soon.

I visited Esashi on August 26, and I have been staying here for a while helping with festivals and Obon. I realized that I haven't had ramen in a while, so I suddenly felt the urge to eat it. The ramen shop I usually go to for help with the festival was unfortunately closed for a long period because the owner's wife had a serious illness and had to be hospitalized. I won't mention the name of the shop, but I wish her a speedy recovery. Anyway, I wanted to satisfy my ramen craving, so I decided to visit one of the delicious ramen shops in Esashi. I had already decided on ordering "salt ramen" as I was craving it this time of year. I entered the shop and was seated at the counter. I asked for permission to take photos and snapped some pictures around the counter. I ordered "salt ramen with bean sprout topping" this time. The soup was similar to the soup base of the tsukemen I had last time, a clear broth with a hint of meaty aroma but no unpleasant smell, very tasty. The noodles were thin but had a good texture, and the slight waviness allowed the soup to cling to them perfectly. The bean sprouts were crunchy and perfectly cooked. The runny yolk of the flavored egg was delightful. I also warmed up the pork slices in the soup, and they were tender and flavorful. The pork practically melted in my mouth. Overall, the ramen at Itchi in Esashi is definitely one of the best in town. It was a delicious salt ramen experience after a long time in Esashi!

After finishing taking photos of the ancient highway on May 30, 2019, it was already past 12:00. It was the perfect time and place to have lunch at "Menya Ichi," a place I had been wanting to visit. As the tables and counter were mostly full, I opted to sit in the raised tatami seating area at the back. The table in the tatami seating area had a wooden lid in the center, a remnant from when the previous restaurant was a soba shop with a sunken hearth, although it was no longer in use as the place had become a ramen shop. It still had a charming atmosphere, which was comforting. I decided to go for the "Tsukemen Shio" with a side of "Mini Chashu Mayo Don" set. The soup arrived, a rare white broth in Esashi (normally, Esashi Shio Ramen has a clear broth), without the typical pork bone smell found in places like Yamaoka-ke. Surprisingly light, yet full of flavor, the soup was a delightful surprise. The noodles were chewy, and the chashu slices in the dipping sauce were tender and flavorful. The attention to detail in the chashu was evident, and it complemented the noodles and soup perfectly. The Mini Chashu Mayo Don was a unique twist on the classic dish, with diced chashu and rice mixed with a delicious sauce. Upon closer inspection, I discovered bonito flakes mixed into the rice, adding a delightful umami flavor. The combination of meat and bonito flavors was a match made in heaven, and the dish was simple yet incredibly delicious. Satisfied both in taste and fullness, I have decided to become a regular at this restaurant!

A stylish retro ramen shop in a shopping street with about 70% of customers during lunchtime. The menu offers a choice of soup, and I decided to go for the rich soy sauce flavor. The soup was piping hot, and the noodles were a bit firm. The taste was rich in soy sauce with plenty of oil and a punchy flavor. It was a satisfying lunch. <(_ _)>

I hurried into a ramen shop while on a business trip to a remote island. I found this shop in a rush because I had to catch a ferry, but it turned out to be a very high-level restaurant.

This is a delicious and spicy ramen! It must taste even better on a cold day.

I tried the White Miso Tantan Ramen. The soup was rich and delicious.

I had tsukemen with soy sauce. There is nothing particularly noteworthy about it.

Visit date: April 30, 2018 (Monday) around 11:45 AM During the first half of Golden Week, I visited this shop "Menya Ichi" and it has become my favorite. Because of the consecutive holidays, I could see tourists everywhere. I ordered the Chinese ramen (salt) this time, which was not available last time. The price of the Chinese ramen was 50 yen cheaper compared to last time. First, let's talk about the soup. The aroma and taste of the seafood-based broth come first, followed by the flavor of kelp dashi. Although I have never had ramen with kelp dashi as the main flavor before, it was quite delicious. The noodles and toppings were the same as other flavors, but I think they matched well with the soup. The shoyu flavor, which goes well with kelp dashi, was also good, but the salt flavor, which allows you to directly feel the taste of the soup, was also great. Thank you for the meal.

Next to the Bank of Kitai Otaru Branch, there is a ramen restaurant called Menya Ichi. There is a parking lot with space for about three cars in front of the restaurant. The menu's top left corner recommends the White Miso Ramen with an additional topping of chashu for 950 yen. The half-flavored egg and three slices of chashu look delicious and the soup is rich and tasty. It's like a miso ramen along the northern coastline. The chashu is relatively light, but it complements the rich soup perfectly. Delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Who registered it... Although the signage has the character "壱" from the Eat Log, it says "麺や壱" - well, I didn't confirm with the shop staff... but even on Facebook, it's "麺や壱" (^_^;) https://www.facebook.com/manya.ithi/ I'll request a correction just in case. Now... for today's lunch, "麺や壱" has been on my list to visit for quite some time, but I never had the chance to go until now. I had work in Esashi today... and luckily it was lunchtime, so it's a long-awaited visit (laughs) ← Oh, Esashi~ I ordered simply... salt ramen!! The price is 700 yen, which is reasonable for nowadays, I guess. It arrived in about 7-8 minutes. So, let's dig in! The soup is cloudy... I thought it was pork bone, but it seems like chicken (^_^;) There's a faint aroma of seafood dashi. The umami is from kelp? I didn't really feel any artificial seasoning. The soup is lighter than it looks and quite delicious. The noodles are thin, slightly curly, with a smooth texture. The chashu is tender and a bit sweet, with a nice char on the outside. The bamboo shoots have a good firmness, and the soft-boiled egg is just right. This... is delicious!! I finished it all in one go - it was a feast! Thank you for the meal. I heard it was delicious, and it really is. I'm curious about the limited edition item that's not on the menu. I'd like to revisit and try the ramen again. I'll come back soon (^o^)

Date of visit: February 12, 2018 (Monday) around 1:30 PM This year, there has been a lot of snowfall in Dounan, which is usually an area with less snow. Dealing with heavy snow can be tough. I came here to eat something warm to pamper my tired body from shoveling snow. When I entered, there was a sign that I don't usually see, saying "Chinese Soba". It mentioned a light soy sauce flavor with kombu and dried bonito. I decided to order it. The soup was made with chicken white broth, but as soon as it was served, the clear soup with a strong scent of kombu was striking. When I took a sip, I felt that the kombu flavor was too strong and slightly unbalanced. However, when I mixed the fish powder sprinkled on top of the green onions, the balance improved and it tasted delicious. This was the first time I had ramen that prominently featured kombu flavor. Since it's not a usual menu item, I wonder if it's seasonal or due to sourcing reasons? I felt that 850 yen was a bit expensive, but I would like to try it again. Thank you for the meal.

Visit Date: January 20th (Saturday) around 2:00 PM If both the shoyu ramen and shio ramen were delicious, then it's natural to be curious about the miso flavor as well. With a hungry stomach, I also ordered the white miso ramen and half fried rice. The white miso-based sauce paired well with the white broth soup, with just the right amount of saltiness and easy to drink. The noodles and toppings were the same as the other flavors. Personally, I thought the medium-thick curly noodles matched the soup better. The half fried rice had a generous portion and was fluffy, but slightly salty. Each flavor - miso, shio, shoyu - didn't have a distinct individual taste, but overall, it was a well-balanced and delicious ramen. Thank you for the meal.

Visit date: November 29, 2017 (Wednesday) around 1:40 pm I revisited early to confirm the true identity of the soup that I ate last time and was curious about. I ordered the shio ramen. It arrived pretty quickly. The soup looks murky like soy sauce. I took a bite right away. I thought it was tonkotsu, but the true identity of the soup was chicken white broth! I couldn't clearly tell with soy sauce because the seafood flavor was strong, but with shio, it's clear... I actually confirmed it with the owner (^-^;). The seafood flavor is subtle and there is no unpleasant smell. It's a delicious soup. It's rare to find a place that serves delicious chicken white broth soup, so it was a happy discovery. Now I'm curious about the basic three flavors miso. Thank you for the meal.