Japanese cuisine is recognised for its light and healthy style; however, rich and heavy dishes also exist. Iekei ramen (家系ラーメン) is such a filling dish which is one of the well-known ramen in Japan, a ramen utopia. This ramen is so popular among blue-collar workers, so-called salarymen, typical office workers, and students since the flavour and gratification is addictive.
Attractive and Addictive Flavour of Iekei Ramen
There are several features Iekei ramen has. One of them is the soup whose base is tonkotsu (豚骨) and soy sauce. Tonkotsu is a pork bone broth, common soup stock for ramen. An essential feature which makes this ramen very rich is the noodles. It is thick and chewy that makes you full and satisfied. Chicken fat, one of the common ingredients, is also important for richness. Other common ingredients are leeks, spinach, grilled pork and seaweed.
Usually, you can customise your ramen when you order it. Here are the options:
1. The flavour of soup: strong, normal or plain
2. The amount of fat: many, normal or a little
3. The texture of noodles: hard, normal or soft
The popular combination is normal soup, normal fat and hard noodles. If you are not sure which combination is suitable for you, try this popular one first.
There are also several toppings you can add as you wish. Toppings like garlic paste, ginger paste, doubanjiang (Chinese chilli bean sauce), vinegar and sesame seeds are generally on the table.
By the way, rice is a popular side dish. Soaking the seaweed in the soup and eating it with rice is a popular way to enjoy rice. Some restaurants generously serve free rice so please try it if you are not watching your calories.
The Ramen Initiated by a Lorry Driver
Iekei ramen was launched in Yokohama about fifty years ago. A lorry drive Minoru Yoshimura (吉村実) came up with the combined flavour of tonkotsu and soy sauce. After training at a ramen restaurant for half a year, he started his own restaurant, Yoshimuraya (吉村家), in Yokohama. It was in an industrial region; therefore, many blue-collar workers highly evaluated his ramen.
Many restaurants were later established under the same name, or similar. Most of the restaurants have “ya (家)” in their names which imitate Yoshimuraya. Thus, the ramen served by them called “Iekei (家系) ramen”. By the way, the pronunciation of “家” is “ya” in Chinese but “ie” in Japanese, and “kei (系)” means type.
Where should You Go to Have Iekei Ramen?
There seem to be more than 150 restaurants serving Iekei ramen in Yokohama, the origin place of it. The accurate number is uncertain because the ramen industry is so competitive that many restaurants open and close frequently.
Yoshimuraya, where Iekei ramen was originated, is very popular. If you want to eat authentic one, you should go there.
Of course, you can have Iekei ramen at other restaurants. The flavour is a little bit different from each of them so comparing them would be fun. Also, do not forget to customise when you order. Try many combinations and find your best one.
