【Daring Bowl】 Nothing beats the garlic craving on a hot day! The punch of "W Garlic Ramen" enjoyed at Tai-gen

On days when your body feels tired or you just can't muster up the energy. There are times when you crave "ramen with a solid hit of garlic" rather than supplements or energy drinks. With that mood in mind, I visited "Tai-gen" located in Isezaki Chojamachi, Yokohama.

Established in 1973, the ramen and curry specialty shop

"Taigen" is about a 5-minute walk from Isezakichojamachi Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line. It is also accessible from Hinodecho Station on the Keikyu Line and Kannai Station on JR.

Upon exiting Isezakichojamachi Station and walking straight, I spotted a red sign. As I approached the store, I noticed the bright red sign and the sliding door that was wide open.

The temperature that day was a sweltering 35 degrees Celsius. Although the air conditioning was on, the open door meant the inside of the shop was still quite hot. It's a small place with only 9 counter seats, and I could see the owner managing the kitchen alone. A nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere flowed through the shop, creating a sense of calm.

I decided to order the "W Garlic Ramen."

The signature menu item, "Ninniku Ramen" (850 yen), comes with an additional 50 yen for a double serving of garlic. Fresh garlic cloves, about 10 pieces, are crushed and added right there, making it a so-called W garlic version. You can hear the sound of garlic being crushed from the kitchen. Knowing that each clove is being smashed increases the expectation.

The ramen features a light tonkotsu broth based on flying fish dashi, topped with 10 pieces of raw garlic.

The served ramen consists of thin noodles in a light tonkotsu soy sauce soup based on flying fish dashi. Generous amounts of crushed garlic have melted into it.

The soup is not too heavy, but the punch from the garlic makes it satisfying. The balance of oiliness and spice is just right, and it doesn't feel greasy as you continue eating.

At one point, the owner suggested adding a small amount of chili bean paste, saying, "It's spicy, but it's delicious." I added some, and it turned out to be spicier than I expected, dramatically changing the impression of the soup.

It seems good for people who are not strong with spice to use it gradually while observing.

On top of the noodles, there are two thick slices of chashu. The fatty parts are tender and melt-in-your-mouth, with flavors gently emerging each time you bite down. Since the soup is light, the meat's flavor does not become overpowering, maintaining a good balance.

The crunchiness of the chopped green onions serves as a nice accent, refreshing the palate along the way. The flavorful menma is sweet, with a nostalgic taste. It provides just the right palate cleanser between the punches of garlic. Although these ingredients are not flashy, they have a sense of stability, contributing to a solid feeling of satisfaction in each bite.

The sense of satisfaction and aftertaste after finishing

With the heat outside, by the time I finished eating, I was completely drenched in sweat. Even so, strangely there was no discomfort, and rather, I was able to leave my seat feeling refreshed. The strong aftertaste of garlic was distinctly noticeable even on the train ride home.

That alone had enough impact, but what surprised me was the following morning. Even after waking up, the essence of garlic still lingered in my mouth, reminding me, "Ah, I had something amazing yesterday." There aren't many ramen dishes that leave such a lingering aftertaste. Including the aftertaste post-meal, it was an experience that made me feel like I had "eaten well."

Sometimes a bold bowl is just what you need

There are various types of ramen, but Tai-gen's W Garlic Ramen is perfect for when you want to get a good dose of garlic. Though the shop has a typical urban Chinese restaurant appearance, it offers a sense of satisfaction that explains why it has endured for so many years.

Whether it's a hot day, a tired day, or a day you want to energize yourself a bit. It might be good to tackle a daring bowl like this once in a while.

Ramen & Curry Specialty Store Tai-gen
Location: 2-81 Isezaki-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

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