01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
When you want to take your time over a clear, savoury broth that feels light rather than heavy, a bowl at Ramen いいかお in Kameari, Katsushika, makes a satisfying choice. A popular staple, the Shoyu Ramen (醤油ラーメン) combines animal-based stock, including chicken and pork, with a clean finish that avoids feeling heavy. Pleasantly slurpable straight noodles come with tender chashu pork and thick bamboo shoots with a satisfying bite, gently bringing the character of the broth into focus.
For a more direct taste of dried sardines, try the Niboshi Shiro Shoyu Ramen (煮干し白醤油ラーメン). Its slightly cloudy broth keeps bitterness in check while bringing out the aroma and savoury flavour of the dried sardines; a mellow white soy sauce tare gives the bowl a neat finish. For a more concentrated dried-sardine flavour, there is also the Rich Niboshi Ramen (濃厚煮干しラーメン), described as having a pronounced depth while remaining easy to keep drinking.
Other choices make use of distinctive seasonings and broth ingredients, including Haccho Miso Ramen (八丁味噌ラーメン) made with Kakukyu miso, and a salt ramen with mozuku seaweed sent directly from Okinawa. Higashi-san’s sea grapes (東さんちの海ぶどう) arrive on a separate plate. Enjoy their fresh, crisp texture on their own, or add them to the soup for a distinctive contrast.
The calm dining space has just eight counter seats. Payment is in cash, in advance: buy a meal ticket from the vending machine when you enter. From the counter, you can watch each bowl come together with practised efficiency, then settle in with your noodles at your own pace—a comfortable way to dine solo.
