I have been going to Kagari Ramen in Shinjuku San-chome for so many years that I have lost count. I always choose the thick pork noodles. Despite a slight price increase and changes in taste (the soup seems a bit lighter now?), there is something unique about the flavors here that you can't find anywhere else. I recently discovered that the cabbage tastes better when slightly soaked in the soup before eating it raw.

Today's lunch was a visit to Keika Ramen's Shinjuku Suehiro branch. It had been a while since my last visit, and this time I ordered the Char Siu Ramen (1,000 yen) with an additional side of rice (180 yen). The pork bone soup had a unique fragrant aroma and was slightly salty but delicious. Overall, it had a nostalgic Showa-era ramen feel with tasty char siu, bamboo shoots, and boiled eggs. The soup was so good that even after finishing the meal, I wanted to have just one more sip. It was delicious.

During my student days, there was a ramen shop that left a strong impression on me during the ramen boom. However, for some reason, I hadn't visited in about 20 years due to the heavy impression of the food back then. Suddenly, I decided to drop by. I ordered the same classic ramen that was the most popular 20 years ago. As I took the first sip of the soup, I was expecting to relive that memory, but it was different than I remembered. It was more sour than rich. Not bad, but a bit anticlimactic compared to my memory. Next, I tried the meat, which was still as delicious and tender as I remembered. It felt like I was able to resolve the long years of holding onto that memory. I am grateful for the existence of long-standing restaurants that not only provide great food but also help us revisit our memories through meals.

It's been quite a while since I had Katsurika Ramen. Taro is famous and I think many people order it. I, however, went with the regular ramen for some reason. The taste hasn't changed much from before, I believe. Katsurika is a place I sometimes crave.

This is my first visit. Initially, I was heading towards "Kuro Uzu," but since I love Kumamoto ramen, I changed my mind and came here. I ordered the Katsuraka ramen, which is a classic menu item. It was the ramen I was looking for! Although there was no option for extra noodles on the menu, the portion was decent enough, so I didn't feel unsatisfied.

I entered the restaurant around 12:30 on a Saturday in August 2023. Despite some popular places having lines, this one only had three customers ahead of me, so it was quite empty. I ordered the Spicy Tantanmen for 1,000 yen from the ticket machine. I noticed that the kanji on the machine read "坦々麺" instead of "担々麺," which caught my attention. The name "担々麺" comes from carrying noodles and sauce with a pole, so the kanji should represent "carrying" rather than "flat road." The dish was served in about 5 minutes, topped with cabbage, cilantro, and minced meat. The soup had a hint of seasoning, but it wasn't bad. However, it wasn't spicy at all. I even tried drinking the minced meat to see if it was spicy, but it only added a slight kick. The spiciness was from chili peppers, not Sichuan peppercorns. The menu was labeled as "麻辣担々麺," which should have both the spiciness of chili peppers and the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns. Unfortunately, this dish lacked the numbing spiciness. As I ate the noodles, I found them to be dry and chewy, which didn't pair well with the soup. It was a mistake to choose this menu item, especially since the kanji on the ticket machine was incorrect. It wasn't a great experience, but it happens sometimes when dining out.

【Nearest Station】Shinjuku Sanchome Station, 2 minutes walk 【Visit Time】Friday, around 8:00 PM 【Purpose】Dinner 【Closed Days】No holidays 【Reservation】Not required 【Waiting Time (Outside the Store)】None 【Number of People】1 person 【Budget】1,000 yen to 2,000 yen 【Order】Thick Pork Noodle 1,150 yen, Rice 180 yen 【Recommended for People】Looking for a ramen shop around Shinjuku Sanchome Station 【Overview】"Keika Ramen Shinjuku Suehiro Store", a famous Kumamoto ramen shop that has been in business for over 50 years in the fiercely competitive food and beverage area of Shinjuku Sanchome. Founded in 1955, this is a Kumamoto pork bone ramen shop where you can taste the authentic Kumamoto ramen that caused a revolution in Tokyo! The symbol of Kumamoto ramen, "Ma-Yu" (burnt garlic oil), is a must-see as the founder named it "magic oil". 【Review】 Thick Pork Noodle 1,150 yen + Rice 180 yen I had the popular "Original Thick Pork (pork belly stew) on top"! The noodles are slightly firm medium straight noodles. The soup is a blend of Ma-Yu (burnt garlic oil) and pork bone broth. The toppings include a large amount of cabbage and stewed pork. Although it is called "Kumamoto pork bone ramen," it gives a similar impression to "burnt soy sauce ramen" and is not greasy, making it an easy-to-eat bowl! There are side menu options such as "Special Meat Bowl/Kimchi Bowl," but this time I chose "Rice." I poured the leftover soup over it and enjoyed every last bit! Thank you for the meal!

Shinjuku Suehiro-tei July performance finale. Kanda Hakusan's leader, Nakamura Nakazo, brought tears to my eyes. A bloodless actor's remarkable ingenuity! The real deal is always recognized by the real deal. There are many famous shops in Suehirocho, but my body craves thick pork!! The thick pork ramen at Keika Ramen, which started serving in 2020 for 2020 yen, has now increased to 2,500 yen. And for some reason, it was topped with lively seaweed in collaboration with a certain famous store. Soon, the bowl arrived! Oh, it's a magnificent sight. After all, it's a whole piece of thick pork. I like to save the best for last (laughs). I took a sip of the soup... Ah, this taste is typical of Keika Ramen. I want to gulp it all down. The chewy straight noodles go well with the soup. Really. I eat the seaweed, then the noodles, then the soup, then the seaweed, then the noodles, then the soup in one go, leaving behind the thick pork! I eat the thick pork with a satisfying bite! It was so delicious!! I slurped up every last drop! I really love the thick pork! Thank you for the meal! I will visit again!!

This is a shop that I have been coming to occasionally since my student days. I used to go to the store near Shinjuku Station, but now that my workplace is near Shinjuku Sanchome, this is my third visit to this shop. I don't know why, but I sometimes crave it. I really like the feature of Kumamoto ramen, which is the Ma-yu (burnt garlic oil). Ma-yu is a fragrant oil made by frying garlic and aromatic vegetables in lard. The flavor of burnt garlic is addictive. I came here straight from a trip because I couldn't resist. I always hesitate between getting the thick meat noodles (Taro ramen) but I never have the courage. It seems like it would have too much meat, right? So, today I went with the basic Katsura ramen. Katsura ramen has medium-thick straight noodles cooked firm, which makes it a hearty dish. It's really delicious. And the cabbage. Actually, I used to think it was unnecessary, almost like a hindrance, but surprisingly it adds a nice touch. It feels incomplete without it. In the end, even though I always think I should stop, I end up drinking the soup as well. But the tea they always serve, could it possibly be Pu-erh tea? I heard that it helps wash away the oil you consumed, making it essentially low in calories. And if I walk home afterwards, it's basically zero calories. Amazing. Alright, should I take a taxi?

It's been a while since I had it, but I think it's quite delicious. It has a strong Kumamoto-style flavor, and when I first tasted it about 20 years ago, I thought, "What is this?" But that's when I first learned how amazing Ma oil is. The braised pork is still excellent, with a nice balance of fat. The slight sweetness adds a nice touch. Good things never change. Thank you for the meal.

Katsuhana Ramen is no longer just a type of Kumamoto ramen, but rather its own genre of ramen. I first encountered this ramen during my youth and it completely shattered my understanding of what ramen could be. The taste remains almost unchanged after 30 years. The taro noodles are truly delicious. Sometimes I crave them. Also, instead of water, the cold tea served at Katsuhana Ramen feels like it helps cleanse the body of oils, which is wonderful. The Shinjuku Suehiro branch seems cleaner than other locations. The staff there also seem to be attentive.

Once or twice a year, I always crave the nostalgic taste of "Katsura Ramen". Usually, I visit the Shinjuku Fanten location, but this time I went to the Shinjuku Suehiro store near Shinjuku Sanchome after several years. The store may have changed, but the ticket machine, jasmine tea, and thick noodles remain the same. The only thing that feels different is the price of 1,150 yen. It seems a bit higher now compared to before.

This is my first attempt. It was described as "umakara" (spicy and delicious), so I was curious about how spicy it would be. I took a sip of the soup. It wasn't that spicy. Personally, I think it could be a bit spicier. The ramen is the traditional rich Kumamoto style. The consistent goodness remains here.

When I was a college student, there was a shop in Shibuya where I would occasionally eat, and I always ordered the thick pork noodle soup. It wasn't incredibly delicious even back then, but trying it now, the soup lacks depth and the overall taste feels vague. However, it's enough to bring back memories of the past, with the slightly soy-scented pork belly, cabbage topped with lard, unremarkable bamboo shoots and wakame seaweed, and the slightly chewy low-hydration medium-thin noodles that seem unchanged from before. Everyone has that one ramen that transcends the boundaries of good and bad taste.

I searched for a place where I could eat Katsura flower ramen early in the morning, and this was my first visit. I ordered using the touch panel ticket machine, and the staff's responses were not bad. I usually like Katsura flower ramen for its rich soup and crispy noodles, but this time it was a bit light, and the noodles were a little firm. Is it because it's a morning special? It's a bit disappointing.

【Nearest station】Shinjuku Sanchome Station, 1 minute walk 【Visit time】Tuesday, around 10 pm 【Purpose】Closure 【Regular holiday】None 【Reservation】Not required 【Waiting time (outside the store)】None 【Number of users】3 people 【Budget】Within 1,000 yen 【Order content】Keika Ramen 820 yen 【Recommended for people like this】Looking for a ramen shop around Shinjuku Sanchome Station 【Overview】"Keika Ramen Shinjuku Suehiro-ten", a famous Kumamoto ramen shop that has been in business for over 50 years in the fiercely competitive food and beverage district of Shinjuku Sanchome. Founded in 1955, this is a shop where you can taste the authentic Kumamoto pork bone ramen that revolutionized Tokyo! The synonymous "Ma-yu" of Kumamoto ramen, named by the founder as "magic oil," is a must-see. 【Review】☆ Keika Ramen 820 yen It is said to be "Kumamoto pork bone ramen," but it gave me an impression closer to "burnt soy sauce ramen"! The noodles are slightly firm medium-thick straight noodles. The soup is said to be a blend of Ma-yu (burnt garlic oil) and pork bone broth. It wasn't greasy, so it was just the right taste for a finish after drinking. Thank you for the meal!

It has been about 30 years since my last visit. I noticed the advancement of being able to use a credit card at the ticket machine. I ordered the thick pork noodles for ¥1,150. The staff brought me a paper apron. The pork was tender and well-seasoned, and the soft menma with added wakame seaweed was a nice touch. The chopped cabbage provided a refreshing balance. The noodles were straight and had a good chewy texture. The rich tonkotsu flavor was surprisingly refreshing with a clean aftertaste.

- Ramen Culture in Tokyo and Kanagawa compared to other prefectures - Today, I visited three pioneer ramen shops in Tokyo that were the first to introduce tonkotsu ramen and were the pioneers of Tokyo-born ramen. The first review is about "Kumamoto Ramen Keika Shinjuku Suehiro Store," the first shop to bring Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen to Tokyo in 1968. As someone who has soaked in the hot springs of Kumamoto, I couldn't miss this first battle. The shop is located in a quiet building near Shinjuku, just next to Mitsukoshi department store. Since its opening in 1968, it has been a pioneer in popularizing Kumamoto tonkotsu ramen in Tokyo, with a total of six shops in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. The design of the shop doesn't give off a sense of being a long-established shop. Upon entering, I found a small but lively space with a bright and energetic atmosphere. The clientele seemed to be mostly young people and women, perhaps due to the graduation season. I ordered the "Keika Ramen" for 820 yen, the shop's signature dish. The ramen had a brown color with a layer of lard on the surface, unlike the white tonkotsu ramen I was familiar with. The soup was a mix of pork bone and chicken broth, with a rich pork bone and fatty aroma. The noodles were unique, being round and straight, with a firm texture that easily absorbed the soup. The toppings included two slices of juicy pork shoulder char siu, crunchy bamboo shoots, a half-seasoned boiled egg, and fresh green onions. Overall, the ramen was different from the traditional white tonkotsu ramen I was used to, but it was still delicious and worth trying. The shop's attention to detail and unique variations at different branches make me want to visit their other locations. In this visit to three pioneer ramen shops, I could see the regional characteristics of each shop. This shop in Shinjuku has a strong pork bone aroma, richness, and a flavorful bowl of ramen. It perfectly matches the lively and vibrant atmosphere of Shinjuku, a city filled with energy and warmth, making it a fitting place for those from different regions.

After finishing work at 4 pm near Isetan Shinjuku, I decided to visit "Keika Ramen Shinjuku Suehiro Store" for the first time in 20 years. This renowned restaurant has been serving authentic local flavors for 55 years in this area. I was lucky to avoid the usual long lines and quickly got my hands on their signature thick pork ramen. Compared to my previous experience at their Shibuya Center Gai branch three years ago, the difference in quality was astounding. The pork was incredibly tender and the broth had a perfect balance of richness without being too overpowering. It's true what they say, appearances can be deceiving, as the murky broth was absolutely delicious. When I shared my dining experience with my wife later, she expressed interest in visiting the restaurant as well. After enjoying a movie together with a senior discount, we both agreed that we will rely on food review websites like Tabelog for our dining adventures in the next 10 years.

I tried it after many years, and the soup still has that nostalgic taste from 35 years ago for me. Back then, "Kumamoto Ramen" was known for being more famous in Tokyo than in Kumamoto, but as far as I know, there aren't many places in the city that serve it. It's quite a rare find. And the fact that nothing has changed is also a positive thing. Of course, the price has been adjusted, and a bowl of ramen now costs 820 yen.