KUROKI

ランチタイムには列が出来ない日など無いというくらいに人気のラーメン店です。但し、店の前の清州橋通りは車の往来が多く、歩道も狭いため、近くにある『青島食堂』ほど列は長くありません。 基本的に昼食時の営業で、夜間に営業する日もありますが、不定期であることが多いです。夜間の営業日は電話等で確認するか、店の前に営業日の掲示があるためそれを確認するといいでしょう。 10席程度のカウンター席のみで、店内もあまり広くありません。入口には段差があるため、車椅子等の障碍を持つ方は利用しづらいと思うかもしれません。昼食時は常時混雑していることから人の流れもスムーズであまり待たされることは無いですが、夜間はスタッフ...と顔なじみの客とで会話を楽しみながら食事をする光景を見かけ、少し客の回転が悪くなります。 一方で給仕されるラーメンは、様々な食材を絶妙な分量で混ぜ合わせたものであり、食べている最中に味の変化を楽しむことが出来ます（勿論その変化も不愉快に感じることはありません）。麺は細麺と手揉み麺を選ぶことが出来ますが、つるつるとした喉越しで、女性にも好まれそうな食感でした。高い人気を誇る理由が分かります。 This ramen restaurant is so popular that there is never a day when there is not a line at lunch time. However, the line is not as long as at the nearby "Aoshima Shokudo" due to the heavy traffic and narrow sidewalks on Kiyosu-bashi Street in front of the restaurant. They are generally open for lunch, and some days they are open at night, but these days are often irregular. It's best to call the restaurant to find out when they are open in the evening, or check the postings in front of the restaurant to see when they are open. The restaurant is not very spacious, with only about 10 counter seats. There are steps at the entrance, so people with disabilities such as wheelchairs may find it difficult to use the restaurant. During lunch time, although the restaurant is always crowded, the flow of people is smooth, so you don't have to wait too long. But at night, the turnover of customers is a little slow, as you can see the staff and familiar customers enjoying conversation while eating. The ramen served is a mixture of various ingredients in just the right amounts, allowing you to enjoy the changes in flavor while eating (and of course, the changes are not unpleasant). The noodles, which you can choose from thin or hand-rolled, are smooth and slippery, and the texture is likely to be liked by women. I can see why it is so popular.

Visited December 2021

Food was outstanding. We had to queue for an hour but it was well worth it. Always a good sign when at the locals are there!

Visited February 2020

I must confess my naivety and ignorance for having gone to Kuroki for the Friday duck-only specials. Well, to my dismay and embarrassment, it’s been years since they have not offered those anymore. Anyway, as it stands among the BEST shio ramens in all of this solar system (and often considered THE ...BEST), I had my first taste of Kuroki. One of those close-to-perfection dishes and that carefully crafted in front of you. The shio ramen comes in a clear chicken & duck soup and one can chose the noodles type - I want with thick curly, as opposed to thin, and I am not regretting one nanogramme of it. For the tokusei (special) version, toppings include an amazing ramen egg (marinated, flavourful, but white, as it matches the lightness of dish, both colour-wise and flavour-wise), sous-vide chicken with a dollop of grated ginger and a couple of fresh peppercorns, a juicy, fatty slice of duck, a wedge of sun-dried tomato, a super soft chicken meatball with sizeable bits of nankotsu, chicken wontons and a good whack of thin spiralled strips of green onions topped with tiny purple radish leaves. The contrast of flavours works amazingly in harmony, a true feat of the maestro Kuroki san. Your server will advise you to bite through those fresh peppercorns throughout your experience, and do not be afraid to do it. I am a non-chili person. I don’t have time for hot, spicy food, but this was just mild, bringing a little explosion of zesty herbal flavours and enriching the taste journey of this masterpiece. Be prepared to wait in line, but it goes fast. I was #15 and waited no longer than 20 minutes. Once you have ensure your place in line, go inside the restaurant and buy your tickets from the machine (Japanese only, but ask a server for help). Once you have your ticket, go back to where you were in line.

Visited February 2020

This place serves the best ramen I ever tasted. Small place, only has around 15 seats. I had to wait around 45 min to get a seat. Waited outside on a cold wheather but, really worth the wait. Best menu is the all topping menu (if not mistaken, called Shio Ramen). The chicken broth is heavenly tasty.... Topped with half boiled egg, roasted chicken, steamed chicken, dumplings, and home made meatball. Must also tried their Shiumai. Cost per person around ¥en 1,300 (approx. US$ 12.

Visited March 2019

It’s a tiny small ramen restaurant with approximately ten chairs at the counter. You will be surprised to see if there are less than dozen people waiting outside. The chef is very creative and knows the taste. We tried several dishes and we liked them all. If you want to try only one then try toksai... sio ramen which means special salt ramen. It looks like the chef made the soup by himself with chicken bones and salt.

Visited September 2018