【Weekend Drive】A journey to enjoy the ramen and fried bread at the quietly standing "Noodle Workshop Inokuni Aikawa Main Store," established 26 years ago.

I enjoyed the blissful cup at "Noodle Workshop Inokuni Aikawa Main Store," tucked away in a remote location, and to top it off, I indulged in fried bread from Ogino Bakery, making for a delightful journey of indulgence.

The hidden gem of ramen, "Men Koubou Komoriku"

I received a message from a friend who eats ramen three times a week saying, "I found a ramen you absolutely have to try." Since the ramen that friend vouches for is always delicious, I immediately decided to join them.

We coordinated our schedules on a day off and headed to "Men Koubou Komoriku," located in the mountains of Sagamihara. Following the navigation, we left the city and ventured deeper into nature. Is there really a ramen shop out here in such a great wilderness...?

Along the road, I spotted a flag that read "Niboshi Ramen" fluttering! As we continued along the gravel road, a charming building came into view.

The surroundings are filled with factories and lush nature, creating a peaceful space. Of course, there is also a parking lot nearby. After checking this location, it seems to be about a 30-minute bus ride from the nearest train station, JR (Keio) Hashimoto Station, followed by a 15-minute walk.

Men Koubou Komoriku
Address: 768-9 Kakuza, Aikawa Town, Aikou District, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business Hours: Weekdays 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

There are many seats outside the shop, and you can feel the owner's attention to detail in the intricate design of the benches. These benches seem to be for customers waiting to enter, and I stopped by aiming to minimize my waiting time, but even so, about three groups were waiting to be seated.

Glancing over, I discovered the menu. Should I go with soy sauce or salt? Here, I faced the ultimate choice, but today I want to directly experience the umami of the dashi! So, I chose the "Shio Ramen" (800 yen). According to my friend, I should definitely try the "Mori Kaoru Donburi" (400 yen), so I was encouraged by those words and decided to add it to my order.

As we waited for our turn, it was finally our time to enter the shop. Stepping inside, a comfortable space utilizing the texture of wood spread out before us. There were families with small children and groups of customers, filling the place with a bright, lively atmosphere.

Looking up at the wall, I found a small wooden tag indicating that the noodles are homemade. Upon checking the official website, it turns out that they adjust the kneading technique and strength based on the season and humidity.

The "Shio Ramen" and "Mori Kaoru Donburi" satisfy both body and soul.

Perhaps the timing of our visit was fortunate, as the long-awaited Shio Ramen arrived about three minutes after we placed our order. The soup, which had been simmered for over ten hours, was crystal clear.

Right away, when I tried it... I thought the umami of seafood had arrived, only to be quickly chased by the richness of animal flavors. I couldn't hide my surprise, wondering, "What is this profound taste!?" I'm a fan of the punchy ramen from the Jiro style, but I was shocked by this. While it is gently put together, it never leaves you feeling unsatisfied.

What further amazed me was the homemade noodles. They have a pleasantly chewy elasticity, and as I bit into them, the pure sweetness of the wheat spread. With the addition of the toasted green onion's aroma, the flavor of the soup became even more pronounced, and before I knew it, I was completely captivated by its deep flavor.

The "Bowl that Smells of the Forest" also did not betray my expectations. The chashu topping on the rice is grilled to a fragrant crispness, and the rich aroma that wafts through your nose intensely stimulates your appetite. It’s delicious on its own, but when you pour the ramen soup over it, the synergy of flavors explodes. I enjoyed every last grain and every drop of soup, realizing that both my body and soul were completely satisfied.

After seeking out nostalgic fried bread, I headed to Ogino Bread.

After leaving the ramen shop, the next destination was "Ogino Bread Headquarters Direct Sales Store," about a 15-minute drive from the noodle workshop, Kakukoku. This direct sales store, attached to the factory, sells a wide variety of breads, including the specialty Tanazawa Anpan. There are about 70 parking spaces, so even during the busy times on weekends, it's rarely a problem to find a spot.

Ogino Bread Headquarters Direct Sales Store
Location: 2841 Nagatake, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

What I wanted to eat here was fried bread. It had a nostalgic taste reminiscent of something I ate in school lunches, with a crispy and fragrant exterior and a fluffy texture inside. The gentle sweetness of the sugar blended beautifully with the aftertaste of the ramen, filling me with an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.

A moment spent exploring gourmet food, following my instincts, is the essence of a weekend drive. Why not enjoy a trip like this on the weekend?

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