【Ramen】A nostalgic Chinese soba with a hint of ginger! I experienced the "Special Ginger Soy Soba" at Ishin Shoten Main Store

I walked from the west exit of Yokohama Station to visit Yokohama Chinese Soba Ishin Shoten Main Store. The popular "Special Ginger Soy Soba" features a clear soy broth and a fragrant ginger aroma, spreading a light flavor, complemented by abundant ingredients like wonton, chashu, and seasoned egg. Here’s my tasting report.

An 8-minute walk from the west exit of Yokohama Station, I saw the sign for "Ishin Shoten" on a white building

About an 8-minute walk from the five-way street area of the west exit of Yokohama Station. As I was walking towards the "Yokohama Chuka Soba Ishin Shoten Honten," which I was visiting for the first time, I spotted the sign for "Ishin Shoten" on the white building ahead on the street.

I already knew it was a popular restaurant and had been curious every time I saw on social media and in reviews that “the ginger-infused Chuka soba is something you can’t taste anywhere else.”

Even though I do come to Yokohama for work or shopping, it’s been difficult to find the time, and finally, I was able to visit this time. I wanted to confirm for myself the reason it has been loved for so long in Yokohama, which is said to be a ramen hotbed. With that thought in my heart as I walked, the moment I saw the sign, a feeling of excitement welled up naturally, as if I had finally arrived.

A popular restaurant that doesn't lose customers even on rainy days

I visited around 1 PM on a weekday. Since it was drizzling, I thought, “It might be less crowded today,” but when I opened the door, it was already fully seated, just as I had heard.

Orders are made by purchasing a meal ticket and waiting along the wall outside the shop. There was one person in front of me, and soon a few people were lined up behind me as well. In the brief moment spent waiting, my anticipation for the bowl that would be made soon grew.

In front of me was the long-desired colorful special ginger soy sauce ramen

I was guided to my seat in about 5 minutes, and within another 5 minutes, the bowl was brought to me. Emerging through the steam was the "special ginger soy sauce ramen" (1250 yen). In a white bowl, there were a flavored egg, three slices of char siu, and three wontons. Additionally, naruto, green onions, seaweed, and menma were neatly arranged, making me feel luxurious just by looking at it.

The vibrant appearance also gave the impression that "it looks filling, yet curiously light." The beautiful contrast of the light pink of the char siu and the amber color of the soup, along with the glossy semi-soft egg, made me involuntarily reach for my chopsticks. I was at a loss as to where to start eating.

The aroma of ginger and soy sauce mixing with the rising steam stimulated my appetite. Moreover, the scent was not overpowering; it had a refreshing quality that gave me comfort before eating, assuring me that "it definitely won't be heavy." From the moment it was served, it captured my heart, and my hand naturally reached for the Chinese spoon.

The strongly fragrant ginger pleasantly tightened the whole dish.

As I slurp the soup, a refreshing aroma of ginger spreads out from deep within the clear soy sauce broth. It's my first time feeling such a strong presence of ginger, but it's not overpowering at all. Rather, it tightens the overall experience.

There's no greasiness, and it's surprisingly light. It blends seamlessly with my slightly warmed body from the summer rain, providing a level of comfort beyond what I had imagined. One spoonful after another, I found myself unable to stop, and before I knew it, I was drinking it eagerly.

The noodles, broth, and ingredients harmonize, and the flavors change as I continue to eat.

The noodles are flat, thick, and wavy. When lifted with chopsticks, they have a nice bounce and a pleasantly chewy texture. The velvety broth clings well, making me feel a sense of unity as I eat. The presence of these thick noodles and the broth’s lightness harmonize perfectly, ensuring that I never get bored as I continue to eat.

Each ingredient has a high level of perfection; the wontons slide smoothly down my throat, providing a brisk accent. The chashu is thick yet tender, with the rich flavor of the meat spreading gently with each bite. The flavored egg yolk merges with the broth, further deepening the overall cohesion. I felt as though the flavors evolved more and more as I continued to eat.

When I added a bit of garlic from the table halfway through, the impression of the soup transformed dramatically. In addition to the refreshing ginger, the unique punch of the garlic layered in, enhancing the strength and shifting the once-light bowl into something that felt hearty, naturally speeding up my pace of eating.

A bowl that seeps into the heart

After finishing eating, there was no heaviness left in my stomach, just a refreshing feeling. Although I felt satisfied, strangely, my body felt light and balanced. It was a bowl not only seeking richness and volume, but also providing a sense of security after eating. The popular shop I visited for the first time lived up to its reputation. It was a moment when I could honestly think, "It was good that I came."

Yokohama Chinese Soba Ishin Shoten Main Store
Address: 1F Yokohama Taiyo Building, 2-10-21 Kitakou, Nishi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Interview & Text by SYURI

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