Do you know? In Kumamoto, the status of ramen is as lofty as Kumamoto Bear! And Kurotei Ramen is the 'big boss' in the Kumamoto ramen world! It’s not just a bowl of ramen; Kurotei's bowl is so black it's shiny and smells explosive—roasted garlic oil pork bone ramen! Oh my god, just thinking about that flavor makes my mouth water; it's really going to make me cry! If Kurotei Ramen has a soul, it's definitely the soup
“Roasted garlic oil pork bone soup” is simply its trademark, and it's the secret weapon that sets it apart in the ramen world
This time we chose 【Kumamoto Shimotori Branch】, which really proved how “wise” our choice was! It's located near the lively Shimotori shopping street, so it's super convenient whether you're coming from Kumamoto Castle, Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, or the tram station! Shop until your legs are tired and your stomach is hungry, wanting to find a place to recharge? Kurotei Shimotori Branch is right there waiting for you, and importantly, you don't have to line up like at the main branch, but you can still smell that porky odor that everyone talks about
From a small stall to now a well-known brand with multiple branches, Kurotei Ramen has always stuck to traditional methods and strict selection of ingredients
This isn’t just selling ramen; it’s selling a “坚持, a tradition, a belief in deliciousness” ah
When coming to Kumamoto Kurotei Ramen, you must order the 『Roasted garlic oil pork bone soup (Kogashi Ninniku Tonkotsu Soup)』 this flavor, even if I go to Kagoshima or Hakata, I can't find it; it's a taste that belongs to Kumamoto, no matter if you choose the version with added egg or added minced meat, you have to go for this roasted pork bone soup ramen!
Besides ramen, they also sell gyoza and rice dishes; I kind of forget if they support Chinese ordering; we used the Japanese menu directly this time, maybe because their menu items have pictures next to them, which makes it quite easy to understand; besides single items, there are also set combinations, like we got the D SET this time, which includes an extra gyoza and a small bowl of minced pork rice bowl
Walking into 【Kumamoto Shimotori Branch】, you’ll immediately feel a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The interior decoration is mainly in wooden tones, paired with bright lighting, creating a clean and relaxing dining space. Although it's a popular spot, the table and chair arrangements don't feel crowded, allowing people to enjoy their food comfortably; there are also counter seats for dine-in, so customers coming alone can dine elegantly, watching the masters skillfully cook noodles and plate dishes up close—this is also a visual treat! There are also tables for four, suitable for family or friends gatherings
If nothing unexpected, this dish includes slices of chashu pork as the basic style; although there are extra ingredients, it still makes for a satisfying meal
Kurotei's pork bone soup is milky white, thick in texture but not overly greasy; when you take a sip, it's that warm and rich gelatinous feel, full of the freshness and collagen essence from pork bones
Although there's an unpleasant porky smell outside the store, its soup doesn't have the heavy porkiness like some tonkotsu ramen; Kurotei's soup is handled very cleanly; take a sip and you'll feel your entire mouth enveloped by that warm freshness—it's simply “straight to the soul” delicious
Pick up a slice of chashu and put it in your mouth, you'll find it almost doesn't need chewing; the meat slice spreads out with a stir of the tongue, plus the salty-sweet braising sauce and the freshness of the pork itself perfectly combine, enjoyed together with the roasted garlic oil pork bone soup, it's super delicious
And what truly sets Kurotei Ramen apart is that layer of “roasted garlic oil” (Kogashi Ninniku Oil) floating on the soup
This isn't ordinary fried garlic crisps; it's fresh garlic slowly fried until caramelized, releasing a unique roasted aroma and sweetness; as soon as it's served, that distinctive roasted garlic scent hits your nose, not pungent at all but with a charming smoky and nutty aroma; when it combines with the rich pork bone soup, it's like injecting new life into the soup
The originally rich soup instantly gains layers; that roasted aroma spreads in your mouth, intertwining with the pork bone's freshness to produce a “chemical reaction”-like deliciousness! This is simply a “divine stroke” invention
The first sip of soup will make you feel the richness of the pork bone; stir it a bit to fully mix in the roasted garlic oil, then take another sip and you'll find the soup's flavor completely different
Garlic aroma + roasted aroma + pork bone's freshness can perfectly blend, with layers so rich it's to the extreme
Compared to the ramen flavor that leaves a strong impression, this pork rice bowl doesn't have much memorable points; I only remember it being slightly sweet; it's still a decent side dish, but compared to the great Kurotei black garlic ramen, it's far inferior; we got this bowl because of the D SET combo; if possible, just order the ramen directly
Personally, after eating Japanese Wangjiang Gyoza, I've completely lost interest in Japanese gyoza; compared to Taiwanese pan-fried gyoza, the pork filling in Japanese gyoza is really hard to get used to... it's also a dish you can eat or not
The soul of Kurotei Ramen is that roasted garlic oil, so the garlic flavor is indeed quite prominent; but if you're the type who “fears garlic,” you might need to think twice, because the garlic flavor here is really strong, BUT, Kurotei's garlic flavor is specially processed roasted garlic flavor; it's not as pungent as regular garlic, but has a charming layered feel; if you're coming for Kurotei, please set aside your reservations and bravely embrace this garlic aroma! It will completely change your perception of garlic flavor; it will really make you “fall in love with this taste”!