#017 Tsunocho has about 50 eateries and confectionery shops. This is the fourth installment of our gourmet series! We introduce a beloved ramen shop that could rightly be called the face of Tsunocho. – Falling for a painstakingly perfected flavor – Homemade Noodles En Ramen (En Ramen) En Ramen sits in the Mikazukibaru area of Tsunocho, very close to the previously featured Hidenoya Udon. In Kyushu, where tonkotsu culture runs deep, you can enjoy authentic shoyu ramen here, and these days people come not only from around town but from other prefectures just to eat it. They offer toppings like miso, salt, and a local Tsuno-style tomato ramen, but the signature and most popular dish at En Ramen is shina-soba shoyu. What is shina-soba? I didn’t know at first either. It makes you wonder—why call it soba at a ramen shop? In fact, shina-soba is an old name for ramen. In the Kanto region, people use shina-soba to refer to a light, clear shoyu ramen. When the owner lived in Kanto, he was so surprised by the deliciousness of shina-soba that, when creating his own menu, he deliberately named the dish shina-soba rather than calling it shoyu ramen. I’ve tried their shina-soba myself and all I can say is, “Tege, umai!” — it’s incredibly tasty. That’s no accident: the owner focuses strongly on the aftertaste, and preparation sometimes starts as early as 4 or 5 a.m. It’s astonishing. Also, they use no chemical seasonings at all and take great care with the noodles, broth, toppings, and even the chopsticks, pursuing the natural flavors of their ingredients. If you visit Tsunocho, En Ramen is well worth a stop. You might find yourself hooked on their ramen before you know it. Homemade Noodles En Ramen Hours: 11:30–13:30 ※Because of the limited hours, you may need to wait in line. Closed: Every Sunday and national holidays (occasional temporary closures) Parking: 20 spaces ☎ 0983-25-2788 Instagram ⇒ @enramen.tsuno_yome