☆流れ星
A ramen shop in Shiraoi Town that has been around for a long time. The large signboard is impressive. The reason I hadn't visited until now is simply because the restaurant had low ratings on Tabelog. I think it's a valid choice to use Tabelog to avoid making a mistake with a precious meal. So why did I visit this time? Well, the soba shop I was aiming for had a full parking lot. Therefore, I had no choice but to visit this ramen shop. Upon entering, there was a message saying "Chinese tour groups, please refrain..." which made me hesitate for a moment, but considering the current situation with the new virus, I think it was an unavoidable choice.
Miso Ramen for 750 yen. The steam rising up was impressive, and the piping hot serving was good. The soup was a traditional light miso flavor based on pork bone. The noodles were surprisingly low hydration and slightly thin. The texture was good, not too soft. The saltiness was just right, not too strong or weak, and the miso flavor was a bit light, but it added to the unique taste of this type of ramen. However, the broth was a bit lacking in depth. If they enhanced the sweetness of the kombu and vegetable broth, the balance would be better. Of course, this would require serving it piping hot. The pickled ginger topping was unbalanced. Some people might not like it, but when it floats in the soup, it interferes with the flavor as the soup turns slightly red. If pickled ginger is a specialty of the shop, it might be better to serve it in a separate dish. It seems like they have upgraded during the change in ownership. The ramen itself tasted better than the ratings. Perhaps it's a nostalgic taste for locals who have been eating it since childhood. The shop is most likely run by a couple in their late 40s and a woman in her 70s, possibly the second generation. At one point, a high school boy, most likely their grandson, appeared and offered to help with dishwashing. His presence was heartwarming and homey. Surprisingly, the menu also includes soba. The shop seems to have been newly built, possibly in preparation for the opening of the multicultural space "Upopoy." With the inbound traffic increasing from spring onwards, the banner outside the shop is a crucial aspect that needs improvement. It is the face of the shop and should be displayed at a more visible height.