The Noodles That Changed The Culinary World: Tsuta Ramen
A hole-in-the-wall shop packed down in a busy street, collecting hungry passersby with the familiar savory steam of the rich, salty broth and mouthwatering cha shu pork: that’s what ramen is about.
With wonky stools, and a constant flow of people coming in and out the door, clanking their bowls on the counter with a belly full of delight, it’s never the most refined place, nor the most relaxing atmosphere, but, no matter the day, a hearty bowl of this Japanese dish is always reinvigorating.
Ramen has long been considered a street food for hangovers and busy workers, and its instant counterpart (like the revolutionary Cup Noodle) is particularly known to be a staple for broke college students. None of this is exceptionally luxurious, but in 2015, ramen saw its first Michelin star.
Tsuta Ramen was the awardee. Originally located in Sugamo, it was a well-frequented but humble shop serving an array of unique ramen, inspired by traditional Japanese flavors as well as Italian and Sichuanese cuisine. The restaurant was run by Yuki Onishi, a prolific chef, with a talent for combining rare flavors and specifically sourced ingredients. Unfortunately, customers and his team were devastated by the news of his passing in September 2022, at age 43. Though Tsuta Ramen may never be the same again without Onishi, his developments continue to thrive.
He was known to put in months of research before presenting a new item on the menu, exploring different combos through trial and error. A serving at Tsuta costs around 1000 to 2000 JPY, which is a small price for a bowl drizzled with truffle oil, custom-produced soy sauce, and a mountain of shaved truffles on demand.
Tsuta Ramen is now located in the area of Yoyogi-Uehara, as well as other stores overseas, and is always as loved by the locals, as shown by the hours of waiting that people do just for this iconic ramen. Yuki Onishi will forever be celebrated as the genius behind one of the best ramen in the world.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
