Since my first visit in 2020, I have been coming to Iida Shoten almost every year. In the past, I used to line up from late at night, but now it has become a reservation-only OMAKASE system, making it one of the most challenging ramen spots in Japan. This season, I decided to give it a try again, and after several attempts, I miraculously secured a reservation this year! I visited during the peak of the holiday season.Reservations start at 12 PM, so I arrived with plenty of time to spare. I secured some souvenirs from the shop while waiting.When the time came, I purchased my ticket. I couldn't miss out on the double order, so I ordered the wonton-filled soy sauce ramen and the salt-flavored tsukemen, which I hadn't had since my first visit! I also ordered the niboshi (dried sardine) broth, which is my personal favorite way to finish a meal.As the time approached, we were called into the restaurant one by one.The owner greeted each of us individually, and the cooking began.As always, the precision of the movements and the coordination with the staff was simply remarkable.Then came the wonton-filled soy sauce ramen!I was captivated by the beauty of the bowl.Scooping up a generous amount of the broth from the front of the bowl, I took my first sip.The exquisite umami of the ingredients, the rich quality of the fat, and the smooth soy sauce harmonized at an incredibly high level. The shocking deliciousness flooded my mouth!The slightly longer noodles, coated with just a hint of broth, had an incredibly smooth texture, providing a delightful slurp! The unique sensation of the noodles never fails to amaze me!I enjoyed a large slice of chashu in one bite, savoring its juiciness, and immediately slurped up the noodles, reveling in the ultimate combination of fat, carbohydrates, and protein.The wontons had a smooth mouthfeel, and the broth wrapped around them burst with delicious meat juices.The vibrant symphony of noodles, broth, and toppings was flawless!Next, the salt-flavored tsukemen was served!The elegant and refined appearance of the noodles and toppings, along with the stunning clarity of the dipping sauce, was breathtaking!The contrasting sweetness of the fresh white noodles and the noble, fragrant brown noodles paired with the salt dipping sauce and various toppings created a full-course noodle experience.At one point, I poured kombu water over the noodles and slurped them with the ultra-thin shabu meat, which was the peak and highlight of this course for me—an exquisite taste!With the flat noodles in the niboshi broth, I felt my heart and body relax, and I finished this year’s visit to Iida Shoten completely satisfied!This restaurant is renowned as the hardest ramen shop to get a reservation at! It has held the top spot in the national ramen category on this site for about five years!The reservation difficulty is extremely high, but the experience is so moving that it’s worth traveling just for this bowl!