Kanekichi

Tucked just off a shopping street near Ojima Station, Kanekichi is an inviting ramen shop whose walls are lined with handwritten menu strips. Rather than limiting itself to classic soy sauce and miso, the kitchen prepares a broad repertoire spanning dipping noodles, chilled seasonal preparations, and diverse finishing seasonings.

First-time visitors often begin with the shop's core broths or regular favorites. The shoyu relies on boiled-down sake and mirin blended with three varieties of aged soy sauce for depth, while the signature shiro base combines napa cabbage oil with seafood and salt for a gentle, rounded profile. The miso ramen incorporates multiple varieties stir-fried together to build an aromatic, lightly sweet soup that clings nicely to the noodles.

A standout favorite is the umakara curry tsukemen, featuring chilled noodles dipped into a fragrant, piping-hot spiced curry broth. A touch of chili oil adds pleasant heat without feeling heavy, and the remaining broth can be stretched with soup-wari at the end to savor every drop. For an even deeper bowl, the black sesame miso combines seafood dashi with the nutty aroma of roasted sesame and fermented paste.

Side dishes are plentiful, including seared chashu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots in house-made sauce, and gyoza. With beer, sake, and other alcoholic drinks on hand, guests can comfortably settle at the counter with a drink before their bowl arrives.

Unusually for a ramen shop, Kanekichi also takes its dessert offerings seriously. Silky homemade puddings and gelato make popular palate cleansers after a piping-hot bowl, allowing diners to tailor a satisfying meal from start to finish.