Tonkotsu-Shoyu Ramen at Torakichiya, near Yokohama

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1. Torakichiya near Higashi-Hakuraku-station in Kanagawa serves super funky and addicting iekei style ramen, a real paradise for all tonkotsu ramen lovers out there. It is a ramen shop that should be on every list of tonkotsu ramen fans who want to explore and experience iekei ramen.

   As soon as you get close to Torakichiya, you can almost taste the air, which is filled with an, in all fairness, porky stench that permeates the air. But if that does not deter you from trying some truly great tonkotsu-shoyu ramen, you are in the right place. Once you enter, it is hard to miss the two steaming grimey cauldrons filled with pork liquid, bubbling away in front of the customers.

   The soup is, as well expected, super rich and funky in a good way. It gives off a similar vibe like aged foods do, a hard to describe depth in flavor and aroma. The noodles are short and medium thick, typical for this type of ramen. The standard bowl comes topped with a relatively lean slice of chashu, a bunch of very good boiled spinach and some toasted sheets of nori. On the counter, you find a wide array of condiments, including raw garlic, black pepper, chili paste, vinegar and much more. Really easy to adapt the flavor to your liking and make the ramen your own. I personally only added garlic after I was half into the bowl and it really revitalized the bowl and gave it an extra dimension.

   If you would like to see a bit more about Torakichiya and this bowl of ramen, check out this short video: [https://youtu.be/XIRnGQRtGnA](https://youtu.be/XIRnGQRtGnA)