浅草の社長
If you live in Kyushu, when it comes to ramen, it's usually tonkotsu-based. The soup is usually cloudy white or beige. Even instant ramen like Yakibuta Ramen, Umakacchan, Abeck Ramen, or Marutai...they all tend to be beige. However, many people have tried the flavors of soy sauce ramen, salt ramen, and miso ramen from Sapporo Ichiban, right? When I came to Tokyo and started working, traveling to different regions, I tried various salt ramen. Many times, I found that the salt ramen I had in mind was different from what I tried. Of course, you shouldn't compare Sapporo Ichiban to professionally made ramen, but Sapporo Ichiban's salt ramen is the delicious "The Salt Ramen" that I've known since I was young. And I've encountered many salt ramen that made me think Sapporo Ichiban's version is better. So, I searched through Tabelog and tried various salt ramen. I even tried salt ramen at famous shops known for their miso ramen. And...this place, Ko Do Ten, has been on my mind for years. I feel like if I go here, I might finally find the ultimate salt ramen I've been looking for...The appearance is too beautiful...this look makes me feel like this is the salt ramen I want to eat...After drinking in Osaka, I arrived just before closing time at 11 PM. Even then, there were three groups waiting in line. I was worried they might say they're closing soon, but I lined up. After about a 15-minute wait, it was my turn. The owner here works alone. He takes orders, prepares the food, and cleans up while constantly serving customers. First, I ordered beer and two gyoza. These gyoza were...too delicious. They had zero greasiness, but had a crispy, crunchy texture that was so satisfying. The filling was lightly seasoned and went perfectly with the gyoza sauce. We ordered two more servings. And then, the ramen. It was exactly the salt ramen I had imagined. No, it was different from Sapporo Ichiban's salt ramen...that beloved flavor was so much more delicious, like hundreds of times better...While many other salt ramen had a strong seafood flavor, this soup was spot on. The lean char siu also matched this ramen perfectly. The noodles were firm and slippery, perfect for salt ramen. There are many types of salt ramen, but this one is my number one. There's garlic on the table too. Perfect. And the owner's customer service is fantastic. I became a fan in just one visit. Next time, I want to try the wonton. And I'll ask for the noodles to be firm. If I do that, I think I'll have the perfect salt ramen for me. I'm looking forward to my next visit already.