Just like a tourist, I opened up Yelp (USA version of 食べログ) and started searching for the highest ranking of ramen store. I ended up in....
山頭火！ Santoka Raman. It is located inside the Mitsuwa supermarket in San Jose. If you take high way 280, get off at Saratoga avenue, and it is a blog away from the freeway. I did got lost the first time because I thought the raman ya has a stand along shop (still Japanese Mindset!!). Eating here reminded me of eating in a Raman stadium but not as detailed or high class.
This store serves multiple different base soup, salt-based, soy sause based, pork bone based, everything! Have to admit I was a little bit scared of the quality. lol. Ordered a salt based ramen with a egg.
Waited for 15 min, here it is...
The soup is pork bone based. The complete morrow of the bone did not completely soak into the soup wherefore, it feels a little run down. The noodle is curly yellow egg noodle imported from Japan. It is not he usual Japanese chewiness but it is not completely soft. The cha-syu（チャーシュー）did have the taste of the soup, and I think it is the best part of the raman.
To my surprise, the egg is actually cooked separately and tasted like a pork-stew egg. Something different than in Japan.
After this experience, I believe that the taste of people here and the people in Japan are different!! I know you are laughing. haha. alright. see you next time!!
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Santouka Ramen
Mitsuwa Marketplace
675 Saratoga Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
675 Saratoga Ave
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 446-1101
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