Miso Ramen at Santouka, San Jose USA

Miso Ramen with Marinated Egg and Ikura Don (Salmon Roe Rice Bowl)

Santouka is located inside a Japanese market called Mitsuwa Marketplace. Their ramen is based on the Hokkaido type of ramen. Their broth is saucy and thick. Topping includes Nori (Seaweed Sheet), Bamboo Shoots, Pork Slices, naruto (Fish Cake), green onions, and sesame seeds. Their noodle is not handmade, and it is very average.

Tonkotsu Ramen at Izakaya Sozai, San Francisco USA

Tonkotsu ramen, soft pork belly in skewer, fried garlic chips, scallions

Izakaya Sozai is a small Japanese Yakitori bar/restaurant, so a long wait is inevitable. A good way to avoid long line is to go early right before they open or before restaurant is closed.. Other than small Japanese dishes and Yakitori, they only serve one type of ramen: Tonkotsu Ramen.

The broth is very thick and creamy that it already forms a layer of fat on the surface of the ramen. (It was a chilly night) I personally really like the broth; however the noodle is what disappointed me. It is just like the Korean instant noodle, which will get soggy quickly. Pork belly is soft inside, and a little harden on the outside.