ラーメンWalkerキッチン (Ramen Walker Kitchen in Tokorozawa, Saitama)

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ラーメンWalkerキッチン

Here’s something unique and fun in the ramen world. A ramen kitchen produced by Ramen Walker, Japan’s premiere ramen magazine! Simply put, it’s an exhibition space where different ramen shops can serve up some tasty limited bowls each week. The kitchen is located in the new Tokorozawa Sakura Town, a restaurant/museum/hotel/venue space under the Kadokawa umbrella. Kadokawa is the publisher behind Ramen Walker.

I joined for the pre-open press event to see what the hype was about.

Ramen Walker didn’t just build the space, they brought the talent. A dozen of Japan’s top ramen chefs will serve as advisors for the space. In no particular order, Sakai-san (坂井保臣) from Ikaruga, Hayasaka-san (早坂雅晶) from Yufushin, Hasunuma-san (蓮沼司) from Gamushara, Yamamoto-san (山本敦之) from Hototogisu, Sano-san (佐野しおり) from Shinasobaya, Ikuta-san (生田悟志) from Nagi, Miyazaki-san (宮崎千尋) from Soranoiro, Hashimoto-san (橋本友則) from Mengyo, Muta-san (牟田伸吾) from Mutahiro, Iwamoto-san (岩本和人) from Yotsuba, Miyada-san (宮田朋幸) from Hyakumen, Shono-san (庄野智治) from Mensho, Sakata-san (阪田博昭) from Shichisai, Tanabe-san (田邉庸介) from Yosuke, and Kuroki-san (黒木直人) from Motenashi Kuroki. Apologies if I spelled anyone’s names wrong!

Shono-san was absent, with a cardboard cutout replacing the ramen creator, but most of the others were there for the ribbon-cutting event.

Shops will make ramen at the Ramen Walker Kitchen for a set amount of time before being replaced by someone new. It’s completely random so please check their website for a schedule.

Each chef made a little something for us to try. Tiny chashu snacks from some of the top ramen dudes in Japan.

The ramen for the first week was from Shichisai. Homemade noodles in a chicken and deer broth. Yeah, it was wild. Wild dear.

What will the future hold for Ramen Walker Kitchen? Check the schedule on the official site here. I’d like to go on a regular basis, but alas, it’s a solid hour and a half from central Tokyo. Lucky for the Saitama folks out there, this one is fairly convenient for you. Should I make it a point to visit more often?

It wasn’t just the opening of the Ramen Walker Kitchen. It was the grand opening of Tokorozawa Sakura Town.

The museum looks fantastic. Digital art installations. Alas, the ramen press didn’t have as much access as the press press on this day.

Even the walk from the station is fun. The manhole covers are all different, with each one showing something special.

Ummmm, can someone explain?

That one’s more like it.

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