Time for some reviews and write ups from our trip to Tokyo. Both Gio and I happened to be heading to Tokyo at the same time (vacation for me, work for him) so we had to grab all the ramen we could! One of my absolute favorite places is Kohmen Ramen. They have several chains around Tokyo of which we usually go to the one in Harajuku or Akihabara (top floor of Yodobashi Camera). Hands down one of my all time favorite ramens is Kohmen’s Tantanmen. I have to have it every time we are in Japan and can’t leave without it.

A szechuan style dish, the standout here is the amazing spicy sesame broth and roasted pork. I choose to order the “deluxe” version which comes with extra toppings on the side that you add to the bowl. The toppings include green onion, roasted garlic, bamboo shoots, seaweed, 1/2 a seasoned egg, seaweed, cayenne pepper strings, and bok choy.

Let’s start with the broth. If I could survive just by eating this broth I think I would. It’s thick and creamy with an awesome fatty-porky-sesame flavor that makes the dish. The addition of chili oil and garlic in the broth rounds out what is easily one of my top 2 ramen broths ever. (More on that in a later review)

The cubed roast pork and thinly sliced chasu compliments everything well and the toppings were fresh and crunchy.  The noodles were cooked perfectly and soaked up the spicy chili oil which each loud slurp.

If you are ever in Tokyo I highly recommend making a trip to any of Kohmen’s locations. The open kitchen adds an awesome atmosphere to the fantastic food. The price also makes this a no-brainer at just shy of $11 for a “deluxe” size ramen.

-Matt

• Dish: Tantanmen Deluxe
• Price: 1,100 Yen = ~$11.00
• Extras: Seasoned Boiled Egg (free during lunch “happy hour”)
• Rating: