支那そば 勝丸 (Katsumaru) Instant 生 Ramen - 東京目黒

Being a taxi driver definitely has its perks. And according to this guy, one of them is knowing where all the best ramen-ya's are. So it was with this amassment of knowledge that eventually led to Chef Goto's own creation called Katsumaru. Initially perfected in a yatai for 13 years, Chef Goto finally opened his own shop in Tokyo's Meguro ward in 1984.


The contents include:

• Katsumaru ramen soup
• Freshly packed noodles
• Menma
  

Crafted in congruence with a local noodle factory, this original noodle is packed fresh directly from the factory. For all I know, it's the only pack of noodles that comes with its own "do not eat" freshener included in the vacuum seal.


The soup was...well let's just say I live for this kind of soup--a wonderfully blended shoyu ramen with a heavenly hint of dried sardine. Need I say more?


The thinly flattened, curly noodles are definitely one-of-a-kind. Chef Goto claims that these noodles and this soup are soul mates meant for each other and ONLY each other. I can't agree more. These noodles are the freshest I've tasted yet! The menma was also outstanding. Crunchy and soaked with flavor, it's hard to believe they came in a box.


After trying this ramen, I'm almost inclined to go to Japan to become a taxi driver...almost.