ばいこうけん東京

Hailing from Asahikawa, Baikoken took up residence in the new Kitte Building near Tokyo Station.

Kitte means postal stamp, and this building houses Tokyo’s head post office.

As well as six floors of fancy shops.

This area of Tokyo, just west of Tokyo Station, is known as Marunouchi. It is very high-end, and walking down the tree-lined cobblestone streets you might think you aren’t in Asia. Until you see the sheer number of zeros at the end of a price tag. I paid 600 yen for a croissant here the other day.

Back to Asahikawa, and ramen. Baikoken is on the famous side up in the far north, and their success over the last 45 years has led to outlets in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Here’s my problem with Asahikawa Ramen. After eating at Hachiya on a long-ago trip to Hokkaido, I was spoiled for all future Asahikawa Ramen.

Not that this was a bad bowl, but it failed to impress the way that Asahikawa ramen does. It was deep, but not deep enough. The soup, shoyu in a thick pork broth, could have been a little more porky.

During their dinner service, the shop swerves up a variety of Hokkaido fare, including some nice local sake. I wouldn’t be adverse to coming here at night someday in the future, but probably won’t be back for the ramen-only lunch.