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Japan 11/02/2007 - Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum
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| To get to the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum, you can take the JR Yokohama Line or the Tokaido Shinkansen. Head out the west exit toward the north side of the station. You should be able to find a couple city maps (left) near the station exit and even a sign directing you to the museum (right). |
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Here is a map of the two lower levels which contain the restaurant area. |
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| The musem is pretty nice and new, although the museum portion is small compared to the restaurant portion. There are displays describing the types of ramen found throughout Japan as well as the ingredients and methods for making ramen. Alas, none of it was in English. |
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The museum is decorated according to 1950's era Japan. |
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| This represents the time when Ramen began to diversify from it's Chinese origins into Japanese and regional styles. In the lower level courtyard, they also hold old style games, such as a baseball themed ring toss. |
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| Tonkotsu broth - Slow cooked with pork bones to create gelatin for a smooth thick broth. |
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Modern and impressive looking, this ramen was actually the least tasty. |
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| Kalamiso - Spicy Soy Paste |
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At this point I was extremely full and needed something sweet so I picked up this old style street donuts coated with Kinako (soy bean powder) for ¥150. |
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I also needed something cool to counteract all that hot ramen so I picked up an old style adzuki (red bean) popsicle for ¥100 |
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| Another tonkotsu broth with garlic and even more garlic paste if desired.. |
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Roasted garlic, very tasty. |
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I apologize that I only managed to eat at 6 of the 8 ramen shops. After the first four bowls and desserts, I was so full that I had to take an hour nap in a dark corner of the museum. After that I returned to the ramen but was disappointed that I could only get through 2 more bowls.
After that I went to the souvenir shop where they sell several types of instant, frozen or vacuum packed fresh ramen. I was looking for a chocolate ramen that they had in their brochure but it was no longer there. |
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I did find this fun noodle timer though. When making instant cup ramen, fill the cup with boiling water and place on the timer. In 3 minutes it will make the sound of a tea kettle that is boiling. Silly, but cute. |
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