The first shop I decided to grab a bowl of Ramen at is one that is just minutes from my apartment in Joetsu. My husband and I have walked past it many times, mentioned how we should go there sometime, and just never have. Though the date of this post will say otherwise, my first stamp came from this small shop called シンポー軒(Shinpo-ken). Being one of only two customers in the place, it wasn't difficult to find a seat. I ordered their chashu-men (Ramen topped with extra slices of pork) and then observed the older couple work together in the kitchen creating the dish from the various large stock pots that house broth, dashi flavoring and noodle water.
The soup was clear with a nice chicken broth and a slight shoyu (soy sauce) flavor. I am usually partial to stronger broth, but this lighter soup was good for a lunch meal. The noodles were a nice texture and not overcooked and the balance of soup to noodles was good. The chashu was a little bit of a let down. Like most people, I enjoy soft, juicy slices of pork that fall apart with little coaxing. The chashu made at this shop is more on the dry side and not as flavorful as others I have experienced. While not terrible, I wish I had just stuck to the standard Ramen bowl with one or two pieces of pork over the chashu-men with extra pork. The cost between the two is usually a couple bucks and it is pretty disappointing when your extra money didn't reward you with anything noteworthy. I finished my lunch and was rewarded with the first stamp in my book.
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| シンポー軒(Shinpo-ken) |
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| Clear soup and slices of chashu pork. |
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