Ramen restaurant • 4-chōme-25-6 Tsurumichūō, Tsurumi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0051, Japan
Ramen Dojo Tsurumine Mine, located in the downtown area of Yokohama, Tsurumi, is a famous ramen shop run by a former sumo wrestler. As you step inside the shop, you'll be surrounded by a powerful atmosphere with sumo-related background music playing.
The biggest charm of this shop lies in the combination of traditional tsukemen and unique toppings. The straightforward tsukemen broth has a perfect balance of umami and sweetness without the strong taste of bonito flakes. On the other hand, the noodles and toppings are full of unique new creations.
The owner's ingenuity shines through in the texture of the tsukemen noodles, which are thick noodles with whole grain flour, smooth and slippery in texture. With each bite, you can enjoy the chewy elasticity, and when mixed with the broth, the deliciousness is heightened even more.
What's even more eye-catching is the variety of toppings. In addition to the standard toppings such as chicken meatballs, char siu, and spinach with sesame dressing, there are also creative toppings like mochi pouches, powdered cheese, and fried tofu, combining unusual ingredients.
The noodle dishes at this shop have a larger volume than they appear. Even the standard serving (maegashira) is 250g of large serving size. Furthermore, for big eaters, there are also lesser and yokozuna sizes available. The “ojittome-shi” is a rice dish with powdered cheese that further enhances the feeling of fullness.
While feeling a sense of affinity for the tentative Japanese of the foreign staff, you'll be overwhelmed by the owner's dignified customer service. Notable is the unique style of purchasing meal tickets before ordering. When a line forms, it is divided into those who have and have not purchased. If you don't understand this system, you may be asked to line up again, so be careful. Also, during busy times, the entry of children below elementary school age is refused, demonstrating a consideration for preserving the adult atmosphere.
The tradition of taste nurtured by the dignity and intuition of a sumo wrestler, and the marriage of creative toppings born from free thinking. Ramen Dojo Tsurumine Mine, beloved by many regular customers, is undoubtedly a ramen shop worth visiting.