つけそば / Tsukesoba / Menba Hamatora —Yokohama, Kanagawa

Chicken based soup is boiled for no more than six hours, with the heat being adjusted during the process to prevent oxidation. Once cooked, the soup is emulsified into a creamy paitan using industrial equipment. Noodles are custom made using a private wheat blend and noodle cutting blades that are unique to this shop. The water content in the noodles is said to change depending on the season. Chicken chashu is a cooked at a low temperature to keep it moist and juicy. Spinach is not cooked but ‘washed’ in 50°C water. Other toppings include thinly sliced pork chashu, radish sprouts and nori seaweed.

Run by Noodle Factory Ltd. and company president Takashi Ito-san, this family style ramen shop claims to have the best sound system of any ramenya in Japan. The flagship near Yokohama station has been beloved by locals for years, with two other branches operating in Kanagawa Prefecture. Open 365 days a year from 8am to 3am. 39 seats. Since July 2002.