“Hokkaido Ramen Okuhara-Ryuu Kura” is a Sapporo-style ramen shop that’s made its way from Hokkaido to Tokyo and Saitama. The ramen comes largely in 5 styles: “White Miso Ramen” that highlights sweetness from Japanese-made miso and mellow richness of its white miso base, “Red Miso Ramen” with its distinct perfume and flavor from Haccho miso (a pungent, coarse variety), and “Awase (Mixed) Miso Ramen” that’s essentially the best of both worlds, as well as soy-based ramen and tsukemen (cold dipping ramen).

We tried the White Miso Ramen, and the slippery noodles were the curly type of medium thickness. With plenty of richness of white miso and hefty umami concentrated into it, the soup is out on the prowl for your heart. Mix in the spicy-miso in the middle for an extra layer of rich flavor.

The three miso base ramen and soy base ramen are a steal during lunch time. Complimentary bowls of rice are served to those who ask, and items like the ginger rice, mountain wasabi rice, and the rice + gyoza combo are available for a small price. Other rice bowls like Katsu-don are popular during the lunch service too.