Dinner at Raa Menya Shima (らぁ麺や 嶋)

Dinner at Raa Menya Shima (らぁ麺や 嶋)

at Raa Menya Shima (らぁ麺や 嶋) on 21 September 2026
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It has been a full 4 years since my last visit.I remember back then, we had to line up before 8 AM to register, and we would eat around 10 AM after waiting. Times have changed, and now it’s a reservation-only system through Table Check. This time, I managed to secure a slot for 10:30 right when reservations opened, allowing me to visit without the early morning wait.Arriving at 10:30, I found about four people already in line, with a sign indicating "Fully Booked Today" at the entrance. It seemed everyone had made reservations.The owner was quite busy, managing ticket purchases, collecting tickets, guiding customers in, and explaining to those who arrived without a reservation.Following the instructions, we entered the restaurant.Once inside, the air was filled with a mouthwatering aroma that heightened my anticipation.**Menu Items Ordered:**◯ Special Shiro Shoyu Ramen - JPY 2,200 ◯ Grilled Chashu Rice - JPY 500 ● Shio Ramen - JPY 1,500 ● Grape Pepper - JPY 500 Before long, our dishes arrived.I started with my Special Shiro Shoyu Ramen.The broth was served hot, which left a good impression.True to its name, the white soy sauce didn’t have the sharpness or strong saltiness typical of regular shoyu ramen; instead, it was smooth and mellow.I could taste the sweetness of the chicken, along with umami notes from dried ingredients like shiitake and kombu.With each sip, I found myself pondering, "What kind of broth is this?" It had a complexity that was beautifully balanced.The soup didn’t aggressively push its flavors but instead created depth with a blend of various umami notes.During my last visit, I had shoyu and shio ramen, but this time, choosing the white soy sauce might have been the right call.The noodles were smooth and reminiscent of somen.These silky noodles held the flavorful broth perfectly.And the special toppings were a treat.The chashu included various cuts, but the standout for me was the braised pork loin.It was well-seasoned and tender, which I really enjoyed.The wontons included one meat and one shrimp wonton.Personally, I preferred the shrimp wonton.The seasoned egg was perfectly runny, hitting the spot.However, since the special comes with a lot of chashu, if you visit with someone and plan to share, it might be better to order something like "Wonton Men + Seasoned Egg Ramen" to enjoy a variety of toppings.Next, my companion had the Shio Ramen.Adding the grape pepper enhanced the umami of the shio ramen broth with a nice kick.The aroma and spice of the pepper complemented the broth without overpowering it.It was a refined flavor, quite different from the plain shio ramen.Then came the grilled chashu rice.We mixed a large egg yolk with the chashu and green onions.The sweet sauce elevated the flavor of the chashu, making it a great accompaniment to the ramen.**Overall Evaluation:**Previously, we had to line up early to register, but now it’s a reservation-only system.After losing out in the reservation scramble for a while, I admit my interest had waned a bit.However, this time, I decided to give it another shot and successfully made a reservation, entering without any stress on the day.Without any preconceived notions or biases from having lined up early, I could purely enjoy the meal.Upon tasting it again, I found the broth, noodles, and toppings to be of very high quality.The white soy sauce, in particular, left a strong impression with its depth, centered around the umami of the chicken and layered with flavors from dried ingredients.Revisiting with a different order than four years ago allowed me to rediscover the charm of Raa Menya Shima.Rating: 5.0/5.0It was a great meal.**Tips for Next Visit:**- Currently, it operates on a reservation system via Table Check.- If you visit according to your reservation time, there’s no need to wait early in the morning as before.- Since the reservation slots are popular, aim to be ready to book right when the reservation opens.- The white soy sauce left a very good impression this time; I might choose it again on a return visit.- If sharing with two people, it could be interesting to order different toppings like "Wonton + Seasoned Egg" instead of the special.- For those who want to fully enjoy the chashu, the special is recommended.- The grape pepper pairs well with the shio ramen, enhancing the broth rather than just changing the flavor.

10 / 10