In the bustling heart of Chiba, Japan, 1976 greeted us with the birth of a culinary maestro, Chef Tomonori Hashimoto. Starting off in the hallowed kitchens of a hotel restaurant, Tomonori didn’t just cook; he embarked on a relentless quest. His obsession? To elevate his dishes using the pure essence of ingredients, sidestepping the easy allure of MSG and artificial flavors.

Fish, in its multifaceted tastes and textures, became his muse. And so began nights drenched in relentless practice, and the aroma of simmering fish broths filling the air.

2016 saw Kinshicho’s streets graced by Mengyo, Tomonori’s brainchild. This wasn’t just any ramen shop. Mengyo brought forth an unheard-of specialty: red snapper ramen, a dish so masterful it clinched Tokyo’s Ramen of the Year right out the gate. And the hits kept coming. From the spotlight of Japanese television competitions to the bustling lanes of Tokyo, where he oversees more than 20 ramen joints, Tomonori’s legend grew.

Yet, when he wasn’t perfecting broth or scooping accolades, Tomonori found solace in the embrace of the waves, surfing his worries away. It was on the Californian shores, amid surfboards and sunsets, that salmon, a beloved American staple, inspired another eureka moments for his ramen in Fountain Valley.

With Munchie-Ken in Fountain Valley, Tomonori didn’t just open a restaurant; he planted a flag, marking his first culinary outpost outside of Japan.

If you are looking for more from Munchie Ken, you may enjoy the following:

• Smoked Salmon Ramen
• Garlic Shrimp Ramen

The post Garlic Shrimp Ramen @ Munchie Ken appeared first on Ramen Directory.

The Costa Mesa location always has a line forming by the time they open and parking is limited. If you’re looking to avoid parking hassles, consider taking an Uber or taxi. It’s recommended that if you do drive, arrive early, before they open, to secure a spot at the front of the line.

If you are interested in ramen options at Kitakata, you my find these of interest.

• Green Chili Shio
• Chashu Ramen

The post Chashu Ramen @ Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are interested in other bowls at Ramen Shack, check out their menu and other posts below.

• Dirty Shoyu
• The Quiet Storm
• The Triple Threat
• Duck Shoyu (Weekend Special)
• Duck Tsukemen (Weekend Special)
• Negi Shoyu
• Ganja Style Tsukemen

The post Duck Tsukemen @ Ramen Shack appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are interested in other bowls at Ramen Shack, check out their menu and other posts below.

• Dirty Shoyu
• The Quiet Storm
• The Triple Threat
• Duck Shoyu (Weekend Special)
• Duck Tsukemen (Weekend Special)
• Negi Shoyu
• Ganja Style Tsukemen

The post Duck Shoyu Ramen @ Ramen Shack appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are interested in trying other bowls at Kin Craft Ramen, check out the following:

• Chashu Tsukemen
• Katsuo Gyu-Tonkotsu

The post Chashu Tsukemen @ Kin Craft Ramen and Izakaya appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are looking for other options at Kashiwa, you may be interested in the following.

• Tori Paitan
• Tsukemen
• Matcha Tsukemen
• Black Garlic
• Kombu
• Mazesoba
• Smokey Miso
• Yuzu Shio
• Basil Chicken

The post Smokey Miso @ Kashiwa Ramen appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are interested in other bowls at Ramen Shack, check out their menu and other posts below.

• Dirty Shoyu
• The Quiet Storm
• The Triple Threat
• Duck Shoyu (Weekend Special)
• Duck Tsukemen (Weekend Special)
• Negi Shoyu
• Ganja Style Tsukemen

The post Dirty Shoyu @ Ramen Shack appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are interested in ramen at Nandomo, you may find these interesting.

• White Ramen
• Black Ramen
• Spicy Resaca Ramen

If you are interested in more traditional ramen that is brought to you by the same chefs as Nandomo, you should check out Hiro Nori.

• Shoyu Ramen
• Tonkotsu Ramen

The post Spicy Resaca Ramen @ Nandomo appeared first on Ramen Directory.

If you are interested in other tsukemen options, check out the following category.

• Tsukemen category

If you are interested in other noodles options from Mendoki, you may like these.

• Abura Soba
• Spicy Tsukemen
• Tsukemen
• Chuka Soba
• Jiro

The post Spicy Tsukemen @ Mendoki Japanese Noodle Shop appeared first on Ramen Directory.

You can choose between light or rich broth for the chuka soba. The rich broth has a strong fish flavor to it. If you are new to ramen, your taste buds may not have acquired a taste for the fish flavor. If this is the case, we would recommend the light broth option.

It’s served with thick and chewy noodles. Topped with healthy portions of pork chashu, green onions, bamboo, and seaweed.

Also available at Mendoki are these other styles of ramen that may be of interest to you.

• Jiro style ramen for a gut busting bowl of ramen stacked high with beansprouts, pork back fat, garlic, and thick cuts of pork chashu.
• Tsukemen for dipping style ramen that is perfect for a hot day or if you are in the mode for 453g of noodles.

If you are looking for noodle options that have a rich fish flavor, the following may be options for you.

• Chashu Tsukemen from the iconic Tsujita brand. Tsujita dominates the local LA ramen scene with several different shops. Each shop focusing on different styles of noodles.
• Josui Ramen serves up their signature ramen that is finished with a little fish stock.
• Jousi Kosoba Ramen is their signature ramen that is amplified a bit more with garlic oil.

If you are looking for other Chuka Soba options, these may be good options to chose from.

• Kirimachi Ramen
• Venice Ramen
• Venice Ramen Spicy version

The post Chuka Soba @ Mendoki Japanese Noodle Shop appeared first on Ramen Directory.