It is always very crowded. Even on cold days or snowy days, there is always a line in front of the store. It's an amazing place. I'm not good at waiting in line, so during lunchtime or dinnertime, I usually don't choose this restaurant. However, I always think, "I want to eat there..." I remember visiting this restaurant for the first time when I started living in Asahikawa in 1992 and being shocked by the deliciousness of the miso ramen. Since then, I have only eaten miso ramen. When I first came, I was a student and didn't have much money, so I couldn't afford the Chashu ramen at all. But I envied the adults around me who were eating it. The Chashu was very thick! I wanted to be in a position where I could eat it someday. Last time, a few months ago, I visited with my wife. I had the usual miso ramen. It has a spicy taste and is very delicious. The couple at the next table, who were younger than us, were eating together. The husband was having soy sauce ramen. I was impressed by how he drank the soup so quickly. Next time, I definitely want to try the soy sauce ramen. This time, my work in the city ended around 1:45 p.m. It takes about 15 minutes by car to get here. First, let's go to the front of the store and see if there are few cars in the parking lot so we can enter. I thought. There are only a few cars parked in the parking lot! It's a chance to enter. When I entered, there were still customers even though it was past lunchtime. And more customers kept coming in after me. Amazing. I was guided to a counter seat. A basket was provided for my jacket. Without hesitation, I ordered the "Soy Sauce Chashu Ramen." It's a dish for adults. The price of 1200 yen for the Soy Sauce Chashu Ramen is quite high, but the quality of the ramen here is amazing, so you will be satisfied after eating it. The staff in the kitchen moved swiftly. And the female staff member also provided a pleasant service with a smile. It was ready in about 10 minutes. The visual is amazing! The Chashu seems to be saying, "I'm the star of this ramen." There are five pieces of Chashu. Although the thickness varies for each piece, some are over 1 cm thick, which is surprising. I will eat it firmly without being overwhelmed by the surprising sight. Starting with the soup. It has a slightly salty taste, but the aftertaste, flavor, and warmth of the soup are all top-notch. Since the Chashu is not cold, the soup does not become lukewarm. I appreciate this consideration. Even in a delicious restaurant, when you order Chashu ramen, the Chashu placed on top may be taken directly from the refrigerator, causing the soup to become lukewarm. This is a no-no for me, but this restaurant doesn't overlook it. And the noodles. The representative Asahikawa noodles are very delicious when combined with the soup. The texture of the noodles is perfect. The Chashu. I love the "meaty meat" with a solid texture and little fat, rather than the tender Chashu. The thick and five-piece Chashu. The volume is so satisfying that my jaw is tired. It must be a bargain for 1200 yen. I ate it all at once. In my mind, "Tsuruya = Miso Ramen," but for a while, I feel like I want to keep eating soy sauce ramen. There is also the option of soy sauce vegetable Chashu, which costs 1250 yen. The price difference between Chashu ramen and soy sauce vegetable Chashu is only 50 yen. The confusing pricing makes it fun, but that's also a good thing about it. I always think that restaurants where the staff provide a pleasant service with a smile, not only to regular customers but also to those they don't recognize, tend to have many nice customers. Everyone enjoys ramen while being considerate of each other. It feels like a great restaurant. Oh, by the way, there is a late-model Silvia (probably from the late 1990s) parked in the back parking lot. It might belong to the staff. I also drive an FD3S (RX-7), so we might have something to talk about. Well, the restaurant is always crowded, so I can't bring up such a conversation... I will definitely revisit.

I went to Asahiyama Zoo for the first time and had a great time. On the way back, I decided to try Asahikawa Ramen, which I had never eaten before, and found this restaurant! It was just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, and there were 3 groups ahead of us in line (many families). And even after us, more and more people lined up. It's popular! I ordered the "Shoyu Ramen" (¥930) and the "Shoyu Vegetable Chashu" (¥1250). The soup was very flavorful with a depth that goes beyond just soy sauce. The noodles were thin but had a good chew to them. The chashu was thick and substantial. It was very delicious. I love Asahikawa Ramen! Thank you for the meal.

I searched for a top ramen shop in the central area of Asahikawa and visited it. First of all, the parking lot is spacious! It's rare to see such a large scale at a long-established ramen shop, haha. When I arrived 10 minutes before opening, there was already a line of about 10 people. By the time they opened, there were about 20 people waiting behind me. The chashu was incredibly thick and tender. If you're a meat lover, you'll be even more satisfied with the chashu ramen. The staff, especially the energetic women, were working efficiently and the turnover was smooth. When I left, there were still about 20 people waiting in line. Thank you for the meal.

Chapter 2 "Tsuruya" ※I apologize for the digressions, but please bear with me as I hope you enjoy reading. It's been about 15 years since I last visited this place. It seems to be a restaurant run by my mother's friend or maybe a classmate. (But as I mentioned in the Soy Sauce Ramen Edition, I will not be biased in my evaluation! Absolutely not!) I have tried their soy sauce, miso, and salt ramen in the past, and personally, I found them all to be somewhat light with a strong broth, which I liked. But this time, I'm focusing on the soy sauce ramen. The place was quite empty due to the time, but there were a few rental cars from Asahikawa and Sapporo. Were there always this many staff members? All the staff members, except for the one concentrating on boiling noodles, were women, around five of them, giving the kitchen a feminine vibe. Well, that's not really important. Let's focus on the ramen, shall we? I ordered the soy sauce ramen for myself and the miso ramen for my wife. The appearance of the restaurant, both inside and out, hasn't changed much over the years, and it seems like they prioritize taste over everything else. I heard that to maintain the flavor over the years, it's important to keep things somewhat the same as they used to be. The position of the cook, the location of the seasonings, the usability of the cooking utensils, the heat... These things can significantly affect the taste if they change. I remember back when I used to work in kitchen equipment, some restaurant owners had extreme preferences. They would say things like, "If this heat isn't right, I'll close the shop and bill your company for it!" Even though there were no longer the same models of equipment available, we had to increase the heat beyond the manufacturer's specifications or modify it somehow... It was really tough. Soba shops, Chinese restaurants, and even takoyaki and taiyaki shops had owners who were very particular. But ramen shops were relatively easier because the noodles didn't require as much heat. Just the heat... Other than that... (distant look) But that's a story for another day. After reminiscing, the ramen arrived! Sorry for the digression again. The ramen looks delicious, with a simple and familiar taste, just like the classic Asahikawa ramen. Maybe the miso ramen is even better? But this time, I'll stick to the soy sauce ramen. Let's eat before it gets cold! I'll push the chashu and bamboo shoots to the side, mix the soup roughly with the noodles using chopsticks and a lotus flower spoon! (Here's a small digression...) *Everyone has their own way of eating and preferences, so I'm not trying to impose anything. Ramen made with pork bones or chicken bones often has a layer of lard on top, so I think it's really important to mix it well. Especially with Asahikawa ramen, where many places have a layer of lard about 1 cm thick. If you want to enjoy the ramen properly, I think it's best to do this. Otherwise, the soup will become salty, the noodles will get soggy and unevenly cooked. That's just my personal opinion. Now, let's enjoy the ramen!

Chapter 2 "Tsuruya" Side Story? (Miso Ramen and One More Bowl...). Let's call it a spin-off and read it as a side story. Last time, I briefly mentioned the review of the miso ramen that the wife ordered. The appearance of the miso ramen seems light at first glance, but the wife is slow to eat, especially with her sensitive tongue. She is not used to eating ramen much, so she struggles with slurping the noodles. The miso ramen she ordered has a slightly salty and spicy taste, but the base of the broth, umami, richness, flavor, and fat balance is good. It may have been a bit salty for her taste, but overall, the miso ramen was satisfying. The author also recalls how the taste has evolved over the years. The ramen from this restaurant always makes you want to drink the soup even after finishing the meal. The author looks forward to the next installment of the series.

Asahikawa City, Shijo Station area. 5 minutes walk from Shijo Station ◇ Business hours 11:00-19:30 ◇ Closed on Mondays ◇ Parking available, cash only−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−This is a popular Asahikawa ramen shop, but it is more popular among locals than tourists. It's great that there are many parking spaces available. Among the popular shops, they operate continuously, so 14:00-17:00 is the best time to visit. We were able to enter smoothly without waiting in line! I have never tried it, but the majority of customers around me still order miso. I was thinking of ordering miso this time, but since I wanted to feature Asahikawa ramen, I opted for soy sauce. I ordered ◆ Soy Sauce Ramen (930 yen)【Soup】Hot!! The soup is hot, with no aroma or steam escaping from the lard. The soup has a slightly weak and complex taste, but you can faintly feel the color umami. I wish they would enhance the umami of animal origin, not just the lard. With the richness of lard and soy sauce, my taste buds were overwhelmed, and I couldn't feel the umami. It may be delicious ramen, but unfortunately, it doesn't suit my taste. The hot soup is a popular point. It's a shame that it crushes the spread of the soup's flavor for me. However, since there are many fans, it must be good as it is.【Noodles】Kato's noodles are of the soft type that many people in Asahikawa like. This type tends to stretch if you don't eat it quickly. Even so, I don't like the taste of the powder transferring to the soup. Although boiled soft, there is still a texture to the noodles, which is a relief, showing the quality of Kato's noodles. * I have been a fan of Kato for over 30 years and I am not denying that. I just prefer the crispy texture of Kato's harder noodles.【Chashu】Nostalgic roasted pork. A thick, wild, and crispy slice of chashu that retains a slight old-fashioned animal smell. I don't like the seasoning, which makes me lose my appetite. It's thick and hearty, but I prefer something lighter.【Menma】Sweet. The strange sweetness is a bit off-putting.【Green Onions】It's unfair to expect the taste of green onions in Asahikawa ramen.【Overall】There were four female staff members, but there was too much chatter, making it hard to focus even though it was a slow time. I rated it low, and since many people who didn't comment on the low score, I'll speak for them (laughs). Everyone's ramen preferences vary depending on their upbringing, so please forgive me for that m(__)m Please forgive me for writing so many excuses to avoid angering fans. Thank you for the meal!

Lunchtime is crowded, so locals go at night. I ordered the classic shoyu ramen, which I believe is the best in Asahikawa! The double soup and noodles are perfect. The price is getting higher, but it's worth it for this delicious ramen!

I came back to my favorite restaurant, Tsuruya, after a long time. I arrived on Sunday around 11 o'clock, and it was almost full. Luckily, I managed to get a seat. I ordered the miso vegetable ramen today. I just realized that they only have miso vegetable ramen, not miso ramen, and it's over a thousand yen now. The food took about 20 minutes to be served, but the smell in the restaurant made me even hungrier. When the ramen arrived, it was delicious as always. The hot vegetable stir-fry (bean sprouts) and the light-flavored menma were excellent. And of course, the spicy soup and Asahikawa noodles were nostalgic. I will definitely come back again!

I arrived on Sunday at noon. I got there before the store opened. There were already about five groups waiting in line in front of the store. I was seated in the first group and tried the classic soy sauce ramen. It was an amazing taste. The atmosphere of the restaurant was nostalgic and calming. I would love to go back again.

I visited the recommended ramen shop in Asahikawa. It's located about a 3-minute walk from Shijo Station. The shop has a traditional ramen shop atmosphere with tables, a counter, and tatami seating. The menu offers ramen, vegetable ramen, chashu-men, with flavors like shoyu, miso, and salt. I ordered the regular shoyu ramen (930 yen) this time. The price of 930 yen for a regular bowl of ramen is quite reasonable. It arrived in 4.5 minutes. The slightly cloudy shoyu ramen had the presence of Asahikawa ramen. I took a sip of the soup and it was hot and flavorful, with the rich shoyu flavor. Next, I tried the noodles, which had a nice chewy texture typical of Asahikawa ramen. The noodles also held up the soup well. Asahikawa ramen noodles have a nice snack-like quality to them. The toppings included chashu, menma, and green onions in a simple arrangement. I particularly enjoyed the menma. And the chashu was so flavorful and delicious! I regretted not ordering the chashu-men right away! The regular ramen costs 930 yen with a generous serving of 4.5 slices of chashu, while the chashu-men costs 1200 yen. Considering the price, the chashu-men is definitely the better choice! I finished my meal quickly and it was delicious!

I arrived at a restaurant during a late lunch time to make it within their business hours. When I got there, there were more than 10 people waiting in line outside the restaurant. The parking lot was spacious, so I was able to find a spot easily. After waiting for about 30 minutes, we were seated. I ordered miso chashu ramen with thick slices of chashu. The miso flavor was strong and slightly spicy, and the noodles were medium thickness. The chashu was thick and there was a generous amount of it. The miso ramen was delicious, although the soup was a bit lukewarm, possibly due to the chashu on top. I also tried the soy sauce ramen, but I didn't like it as much as the miso one. I would like to try it again on a cold day next time.

Established in 1972, this long-standing ramen shop in Asahikawa has been in business for over 50 years. The exterior and interior of the shop have a charming old-fashioned atmosphere. With a large parking lot in front of the shop, it is easily accessible by car. Although the closing time is 7:30 pm, they may close early, so it's best to check in advance. I visited around 5:30 pm on a Sunday and there was no line, with available seats inside. By the time I finished eating, around 6 pm, they had already sold out, so be aware. The staff's customer service was pleasant. As for the ramen, while Asahikawa ramen is typically known for its double soup of seafood and animal broth with soy sauce flavor, this shop is popular for its miso ramen as well. The "Shoyu Chashu Ramen" priced at 1,200 yen was not as thick as expected, with a good match with the thin curly noodles. The warm chashu slices were thick, over 1 cm, with a main focus on lean meat, making it not too heavy.

I visited this place again after enjoying the miso vegetable chashu last time. This time, I tried the salt vegetable ramen. I didn't need a lot of chashu, so I opted for no chashu, but still got one slice. The service was good, and the taste was to my liking, although I found the salt flavor to be a bit light due to the abundance of vegetables. My wife ordered the soy sauce flavor, which was a bit strong for her taste. We will definitely go back to eat again.

Visited a popular restaurant in Asahikawa. It was crowded during lunchtime on a weekday, with a few people waiting outside, but I was able to get in quickly. I was torn between miso and soy sauce ramen, but ended up ordering the soy sauce ramen with chashu. The chashu had a satisfying taste and I felt it was great value for money! The warm atmosphere created by the working mothers added to the charm of the place, making it clear why it's so popular!

I visited around 14:00 on a weekday and was seated at the counter without having to wait. There were mostly locals, no tourists. My order of Soy Sauce Chashu Ramen for ¥1100 and a small bowl of rice for ¥100 arrived in about 5 minutes. The soy sauce soup had a rich flavor, and the hot lard covering the soup was excellent. The chashu was tender and not dry, with just the right amount of fat. I finished by soaking the rice in the soup. Even though it's far from Asahikawa Station, this place is a must-visit.

I'm enjoying my summer vacation in Hokkaido with a quick stop at Asahiyama Zoo. After that, I had ramen at Tsuruya. We arrived at 11:30 and there were 2 groups ahead of us, but we only had to wait for about 10 minutes to get in. I ordered the Shoyu Chashu ramen. The chashu was hot and delicious! But what really stood out was the shoyu soup - it was incredibly tasty! The noodles weren't really to my liking, but the delicious soup made up for it! I enjoyed it very much!

Established in 1972, this popular long-standing ramen shop in Asahikawa has had various rumors in the past. Currently run by the third generation, the shop was about half full with customers when visited at 12:50 on a weekday. The spacious interior of the house features a counter, table seats, and a raised area, creating a nostalgic and homey atmosphere typical of a local Chinese restaurant. Orders are taken verbally, and the "Miso Vegetable Chashu Ramen" (1250 yen) arrived in less than 10 minutes. The soup, which comes with shichimi spice by default, gradually changes from slightly spicy to slightly sweet with a depth of flavor from the vegetables. Delicious! The noodles are slightly thin and firm, with a low water content. The toppings include thick chashu, crunchy stir-fried bean sprouts and onions, green onions, ground meat, and menma. The signature thick chashu provides a satisfying chew and is quite enjoyable! It would be even better if the seasoning was stronger. This shop is reminiscent of Manrai and Horiuchi in Shinjuku. Considering the generous amount and flavor of the chashu, the cost performance is not bad. Overall, it was an excellent bowl of Asahikawa ramen with delicious soup and noodles, complemented by the beloved chashu. I look forward to trying the shoyu ramen next time, of course with extra chashu.

Visited on a Sunday afternoon at 1:45 PM (first visit in a while). Due to a slight timing mix-up, I was seated at the counter with a partition. The waitress brought me water and when I asked for the most popular dish, she recommended the "Miso Vegetable Ramen." It was a generous portion and the taste was comparable to famous miso ramen shops in Sapporo.

I got off the bus on the way back from Asahiyama Zoo and visited this restaurant. The parking lot is spacious, so it's not stressful to visit by car. I decided to try the soy sauce chashu ramen with vegetables for 1250 yen. The chashu was simmering in a pot right in front of me, creating a delicious aroma. They also served ice water when it ran out. The ramen was served in about 7-8 minutes, and the amount of chashu was amazing! I chose the chashu ramen because I was hungry, and it was the right decision. While it's not the melt-in-your-mouth type of chashu, when you chew it with the soup, the flavor of the meat intensifies. The vegetables, mainly bean sprouts, played a good role in between the chashu. Before I knew it, I had finished the whole bowl, including the soup that I usually don't drink. I was satisfied not only with the fullness from eating Asahikawa's local ramen, but also with the sense of fulfillment!

2023.06.11 (Sun) 11:00 Revisiting Asahikawa - Revisiting a nostalgic restaurant. It has been 20 years since I last visited. There were rumors back then that some in the industry, feeling unable to compete with the exceptional taste, spread fake news about the restaurant's cooking skills. This is a well-known story among the residents of Asahikawa. Tsuruya's ramen used to be unbeatable. I have tried to visit a few times since April, but the long lines made me give up twice. Today, I was determined to try it and arrived at 10:30, being the first in line. However, by 10:50, the parking lot was full. About 40 people gathered, so arriving 20 minutes before opening on a holiday might be recommended. I sat at the far left end of the counter and ordered the Miso Vegetable Chashu Ramen (1,250 yen). It arrived in 9 minutes. I will be the first to taste it today! The soup is spicy and packs a punch. Delicious. The noodles are medium-thin, with a lower water content compared to Fushihara Seimen's low-water noodles, giving a subtle flavor. The chashu uses lean meat from the thigh, with a traditional thick cut and seasoning. Overall, it reminds me of Sapporo miso ramen from the first generation. If I had to ask for something more, it would be longer chopsticks (´∀｀). Twenty years ago, it was a casual ramen shop you could easily enjoy, but over time, it has become a place where you have to wait in line to eat. It's both exciting and disappointing. Thank you for the meal~

After shopping at Michi-no-Eki Asahikawa, we arrived at the ramen specialty shop Tsuruya. I ordered the Shoyu Ramen, which has a rich and bold flavor with a double soup base of animal and seafood, and the special Kato Ramen noodles, which are thin with a slight wave and perfect with the soup. The Menma was crunchy and the Chashu was flavorful and tender. Even though my wife, who doesn't like ramen, stayed in the car, I found the No.1 Asahikawa Ramen with a commanding presence on my first visit. After leaving Tsuruya, we headed to Bun-go, the tea house we had reserved.