北海道のふづき
I visited "Noodle Zero" about 4 years ago. I was intrigued by the shop when I passed by, and it was a place I wanted to try even before I started using Tabelog. Finally, I made it! The shop was featured in a TV show with a popular comedian, and the commemorative poster was still displayed when I visited, which was exciting. Although it wasn't completely full, about 80% of the seats were taken, giving the impression that it was quite popular. Initially, I planned to order the soy sauce ramen, but they had a limited edition "Charred Lard Soy Sauce Ramen (¥850)" available, so I decided to try that! I opted for half noodles to suit my appetite. The ramen was ready in about 5 minutes, releasing a blend of bonito aroma and charred lard in the soup. Just a sip of the rich soup revealed the intense seafood flavor and the savory charred aroma. The generous amount of lard left an oily film in the mouth, leading to a strong dryness in the throat afterward, but for those who love rich flavors, this limited edition ramen is truly captivating! The saltiness may be a bit overwhelming, but as a fan of seafood, I found it addictive! Next, let me talk about the ramen itself. Unlike the large rectangular chashu pork slices that come with the regular menu, this one had cubed chashu that was incredibly tender! Just a light bite caused it to crumble, releasing the sweetness of the fatty meat, along with a delightful charred flavor. The surface was not just fatty, but also crispy, offering two different tastes to enjoy! While I am curious about the large chashu slices, I personally found this bite-sized chashu to be a hit! As a branch of the popular Hakata ramen shop "Barikya," the egg noodles here were surprisingly firm, with less of the typical chewiness associated with Hakata-style noodles. However, when viewed as having a satisfying chewiness, it can be appreciated as a different aspect of enjoyment, especially when combined with the soup. The crunchy green onions were delicious, serving as a refreshing side dish. Am I the only one who found the naruto fish cake cute and heartwarming? The firm and sweet marinated bamboo shoots were generously used, which I appreciated! Although I had only eaten half of my rice, having already finished a spicy curry before, I still managed to finish the ramen soup completely, even though I wasn't hungry. Some reviews may describe the taste as average, but I left feeling more than satisfied! I read some comments about the staff's attitude, but I personally found them to be kind and helpful. They exchanged my large bills without showing any signs of annoyance and even gave me a shop card. When I have the chance to visit again, I will go for the regular Oni Spicy Miso or the Oni Spicy Miso Extreme! Thank you for the meal.