【Ramen】Discovered in Hiyoshi! A Filling Challenge with Ramen Don's Rich Tonkotsu Shoyu

Ramen Don, located just near Hiyoshi Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, features rich and punchy tonkotsu shoyu soup, topped with a mountain of boiled vegetables and a large amount of noodles characteristic of Jiro-style ramen shops. If you go for the veggie boost, you’ll end up with a towering bowl that looks fantastic in photos.

A hidden gem of Jiro-style ramen right by the station

Just a 1-minute walk from Hiyoshi Station through the lively Sun Road shopping arcade. Ramen Don is conveniently located, making it easy to reach without getting lost after exiting the ticket gate, and it’s a great go-to spot for when you feel like having a hearty meal during lunch breaks or after work.

The yellow sign catches your eye, creating an atmosphere that naturally draws you in as you walk by. The interior is compact, with 7 counter seats and 2 tables with 6 seats. Although it's a space focused on ramen, it’s not cramped, making it surprisingly comfortable. When I visited at 4 PM on a weekday, there were only two other customers, and the sound of noodles boiling from the kitchen mixed with the aroma of the broth created a pleasantly calming atmosphere.

Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a student town, settling into this space feels like stepping into a different world. It’s enjoyable to eat quietly alone, and there’s a comfortable distance when sharing a table with colleagues or friends. Truly, the phrase "a small hideaway amidst the clamor" fits perfectly, and my anticipation grew the moment I entered.

Ramen Don operates on a ticket system. This time, I chose the classic "ramen" (900 yen). While the menu covers the basics, I appreciate that there are free toppings to choose from in Jiro-style ramen. I opted for extra vegetables and added garlic, while selecting the normal options for noodle firmness, oil amount, and flavor strength. Even on my first visit, it was easy to adjust to my preferences, providing a sense of reassurance.

A vegetable tower where the sweetness of cabbage takes center stage.

The moment the bowl is brought to the table, what first astonishes you is indeed this impact.

The vegetables towering over the bowl are impressive. A notable feature is the generous use of cabbage, which adds a crunchy texture and a natural sweetness. While bean sprouts alone can become monotonous, the cabbage adds depth to the flavor.

Next to the mountain of piled-up vegetables, there is a quantity of minced garlic that could be as large as a golf ball, which stimulates the appetite just by looking at it. Even before I dip the spoon in, the aroma of the soup and garlic rises, creating a moment where my heart races with the thought, "This is going to hit hard."

When you thoroughly soak the vegetables in the soup before bringing them to your mouth, the richness of the pork bone soy sauce melds with the sweetness, creating a satisfying yet somewhat light experience. Despite the impressive appearance, the reason you surprisingly keep reaching for your chopsticks until the very end lies here. The towering presentation is full of impact, but it shines through its cleverness rather than just being a volume competition.

200g of medium-thick noodles with rich pork bone soy sauce soup

The noodles are a regular thickness at 200g. The medium-thick, slightly curly noodles are well coated with the richness of the soup, spreading the flavor of the wheat as you chew. They are thick yet not too firm, and the exquisite cooking level that takes into account the compatibility with the soup is impressive.

Adding to the presence in the bowl is the thick chaashuu. When combined with the soup and taken in big bites, the umami of the meat and the richness of the back fat spread out instantly. Even when paired with vegetables and noodles, there’s no heaviness felt, making it balanced and easy to eat until the very end.

The soup is a pork bone soy sauce with melted back fat. It is rich yet does not have sharp saltiness, coming together with a mellow umami. With every bite of noodles, they absorb the soup well, and with each chew, the flavor expands.

However, around this point, the feeling of fullness starts to wash over me, and I once again felt the power of the bowl.

Even so, it doesn't get boring until the end. When a spoonful of the "sauce to enhance the flavor" on the table is added midway, the creamy soup transforms into a sharp taste.

My stomach, which was starting to feel heavy, naturally moved the chopsticks for just one more bite.

At first, the sweetness of the cabbage and bean sprouts harmonizes well with the richness of the soup, giving a lighter impression than expected. As I continue eating, the garlic melts away, adding depth and sharpness to the flavor.

The process of transitioning to a punchy Jiro-style in the second half brought new discoveries with each bite. It never became monotonous until the end, making each next bite something to look forward to, which is the charm of this ramen.

A Jiro-style place where you can feel at ease even on your first visit

When it comes to Jiro-style ramen, some might imagine a unique tension. However, the staff at Ramen Don warmly welcomes you with attentive service, allowing even first-time visitors to order with confidence. Amidst the roughness, there's a consideration, and not just the ramen, but the atmosphere of the restaurant itself enhances the satisfaction.

Ramen Don is a restaurant that offers a hearty and impressive bowl of Jiro-style ramen with surprisingly easy-to-eat features. The sweetness of the cabbage, the mellow soup, and the free toppings that allow you to enjoy variations make this place outstanding. Including its proximity to the station and the calm interior, it’s a place where you can casually take on the challenge, yet the sense of accomplishment remains strong after finishing your meal. It was a shop where you could encounter such a bowl.

Ramen Don
Location: 2-1-8 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Written by / SYURI

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