Nissin Raoh Tantanmen, Miso & Tonkotsu Ramen, and Matcha Products from TOKYO DIRECT | REVIEW

20% off for your first try!

Today I will be reviewing products I got from "Tokyo Direct," a London-based online store that introduces delicious and trendy Japanese food and products to the world! If you live in Europe and would like a quick taste of Japan, I highly recommend their products!

Shio, Organic (Shoyu), Tori Paitan, & Vegan Tantanmen at Mensho Tokyo, San Francisco USA

Shio Ramen - Clear chicken and pork soup, Shio dare, pork chashu, kale, menma, fried garlic, chives, nori

Vegan Tantanmen - Vegetable soup with kombu and mushroom, premium Japanese soy milk, seven types of nuts, sesame, cilantro, chili oil, green onions, menma, kale sprouts

Tori Paitan - Rich, creamy chicken soup, pork chashu, duck chashu, menma, kale, burdock root, katsubushi sauce

Organic Ramen (Shoyu) - Clear organic chicken and pork soup, shoyu dare, pork chashu, duck chashu, kale, kale sprout, menma chives, menma, nori

There were 4 ramens on the menu tonight, and since I have 2 more people with me, we ordered all 4 to try out all of them at once. Personally, I fell in love with their Shio ramen. The tasty umami from the Rausu kelp and Hongare Katsuobushi Dashi broth really perfected it. Let me tell you more about Mensho Tokyo and their delicious ramen!

Black Sesame Oil & Red Spicy Tantanmen at JTAN, Tokyo JAPAN

Red Spicy Tantanmen  900 yen

Black Sesame Oil Tantanmen 850 yen

Although the chashu (roasted pork slices) are tough, both black & red tantanmens were good overall. They are still better than most ramen I've had in the States, but not better than Oakland's Ramen Shop's Spicy Tantanmen. 

Spicy Shrimp Tantanmen at Ramen Shop, Oakland USA

Spicy Shrimp Tantanmen $17.5

I am not a spicy food-eater, so I was very glad that the spicy shrimp tantanmen is something that I can truly enjoy. I can finally taste the chili oil and the spice that were simmered in the broth. This is one of the few times that I am very happy with a spicy dish.

Mixing with white parts of leeks and other veggies, this spicy tantanmen is something that I would love to come back and try it again and again.

Pumpkin Tantanmen and Tsukemen at Ramen Shop, Oakland USA

Pumpkin Tantanmen

Tsukemen with Heavy Tonkotsu Dipping Broth

Pumpkin Tantanmen is a pretty neat creation from Ramen Shop. Tantanmen is a Japanese version of the Chinese Sichuan's Dandanmian. Tantanmen is usually consisted of stir fried ground pork with sesame paste, chili oil, Tobanjan(Chinese hot bean paste), and chicken stock. Signature toppings are Bok Choy, green onions, ground pork, and sesame seeds. The pumpkin version of Tantanmen tonight at Ramen Shop has a nice taste with the addition of pumpkin. Since an original broth was alreadt very heavy, pumpkin blends in very well. (Just like Pumpkin Curry) Cilantro, white parts of green onions, and a little bit of Chinese Pickled Vegetables really complete the dish. 

Tsukemen appears to be new thing at Ramen Shop, so I decided to try out their version of Tsukemen as well. I personally am a little disappointed with the Tsukemen. The noodle is too thick and because it is al dente and already in room temperature, it is harder to absorb the broth, leaving part of the noodle tasteless.