Visited in early December 2021, this ramen shop is located in the entertainment district of Chitose City. It gives off the impression of having opened quietly, as even Google Street View shows it as a teppanyaki restaurant called "Kita no Tsuribito." After some online searching, I found out that it opened in November 2020, making it around a year since its opening. I first learned about this place around summer, but due to the impact of the pandemic, the curtain was either not up or there was a sign saying they were closed. After a few attempts, I finally managed to visit. Specializing in shrimp ramen, their menu features "Shrimp Miso Ramen" in the rich category and "Shrimp Salt Ramen" in the light category, with the former being the top choice. Visually, the small bowl style that I dislike slightly lowered my expectations. The noticeable elements were a large sheet of roasted seaweed, shredded green onions, and baby sardines on top, along with dried sakura shrimp. Additionally, half a soft-boiled seasoned egg looked appetizing. Digging into the bottom of the bowl revealed medium-thick curly noodles with slightly higher water content, along with bamboo shoot slices and chashu pork. The chashu, although small, came in three slices. What surprised me was the whole head-on shrimp included. While the variety of ingredients was decent, the head-on shrimp was slightly challenging to eat. It would be appreciated if they provided a small dish for shrimp shells or removed the shell from the body and legs, leaving the head and tail intact. The soup, despite being labeled as "rich," wasn't overly heavy. It lacked any strange aftertaste or off-putting flavors, and there was no hint of fishiness, indicating proper preparation. The shrimp flavor didn't overpower the miso soup, creating a well-balanced taste. Unlike other shrimp ramen shops that tend to emphasize the intense shrimp flavor, I personally think this level allows the shrimp's deliciousness to shine through. This restaurant seems to be related to a nearby ramen shop called "Yamako," typical of the entertainment district, and opens around 8 p.m., sometimes even from 7 p.m. Closing time is around 4-6 a.m., which complements the early morning 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. operation of "Yamako." The interior consists of only counter seats for about 6-8 people. If I have the chance to visit again, I would like to try the light option as well. ============================== ◇ Shrimp Miso Ramen 990 yen ◇