I visited Kokaibo (or Koukaibou / こうかいぼう) in Monzen-Nakacho after a long absence. The quality of the ramen and their warm hospitality remain unchanged! They are still loved by many people. When I arrived 5 minutes before their dinner opening time, there were already about 10 people waiting in line. Their opening hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for weekday dinners. Please note that they sometimes stop accepting guests after 6 p.m.
The shop has 7 counter seats and 2 tables with 4 seats each. Koukaibou has never used a ticket vending machine since opening. Orders are taken by the staff after you’re seated, and payment is made before leaving.
The restaurant is about a 10-minute walk from Monzen-Nakacho Station. Although I heard it’s only a 6-minute walk, it took me a bit longer because of several traffic signals. It’s located on a large street, so it’s easy to spot.
Here’s the menu. They offer two types of noodles: ramen and tsukemen. Both feature a broth made from a blend of fish and pork bones. They also serve small side dishes and beer.
They serve one draft beer, Carlsberg.
With beer orders, they serve roast pork at no extra charge. The pork is strongly seasoned with soy sauce and pairs perfectly with the beer. It’s a delightful addition, especially as I can’t eat large portions.
I ordered the Seasoned egg ramen, which includes roast pork, menma, laver, green onion, and a seasoned egg.
heir ramen is known as “魚介豚骨ラーメン” (ramen with fish and pork bone broth). However, the soup incorporates a variety of flavors, including pork bones, chicken, dried mackerel, niboshi (dried sardines), dried bonito, and more. The soup is rich and flavorful, with a stronger niboshi taste compared to a few years ago. As a fan of niboshi, I was thrilled!
The noodles, sourced from Sugano Noodles shop, are straight and slightly wide, with a springy texture that holds the soup well.
The soup is mild and not overly salty, so I never feel guilty about finishing it. Its flavor has become sharper over time, making me love their ramen even more!
About
Name Ramen Kokaibo (こうかいぼう)
Open Lunch, Dinner
Reservation Unavailable
Credit card Unavailable
Google Map
