[Yamagata Gourmet] The Day a Red Drop Fell into My Heart [Ryu Shanghai]

The gift that arrived from my best friend was still packed with the secrets of Yamagata.

"Ryu Shanghai"—
a name that echoes even in the distant land of Kumamoto.
Ah, so this is it—.

Founded in 1958, it is a bowl of noodles into which the third generation now pours their soul.

The very same flavor that the girl from "Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles" held in her hands.

The word "Akayu" written on the package brings to mind the scenery along the Flower Nagai Line.
The body of that cute train I saw off with my best friend slowly begins to run through my mind.

I'm not good with spicy food, so I wonder if I'll be able to eat it?

I prepare the ingredients one by one with care.
Though, they are store-bought, I did prepare the seasoned egg myself while tasting it.
As for the naruto... it's not something I see often in Kumamoto, which is a shame.

First, I try eating it without adding the spicy miso.

I see.
This is the taste of a shop that has lines out the door.
It is rich and has a deep umami that you can't experience in Kumamoto.
It's delicious enough on its own, but what would happen if I added this spicy miso—

...It looks spicy.
I got a little intimidated.
However, the shop owner even wrote on the bag that this spicy miso is the key!

A little taste.

Hmm.
It's spicy.
But it has body and a deep umami.
I have to add it—

It wasn't a perfect recreation of Akayu spicy miso ramen, but this is the taste of Akayu that I can recreate in Kumamoto.

I dissolve just a little bit into the soup.
At that moment, the air changed.

The sharpness and sweetness of the spicy miso melted into the rich soup, and it began to take on depth, like music layered upon itself.
The curls of the egg noodles scooped up that sound, and every time I slurped, the aroma drifted through my nose and into my heart.

Facing the bowl, I let out a big sigh.

What is this?

It's so delicious, I'm lost for words.

Even the word 'delicious' cannot keep up.

This is more than just food; it is an experience.
A moving experience.

They say that in Yamagata, these noodles are just normally lined up on the shelves of ordinary supermarkets.
I couldn't believe it.
Why didn't I know about this until now?
The richness and depth of this land.

If I visit Yamagata again, I will definitely line up in front of that shop.
Sharing the steam with my best friend.

After drinking every last drop of the soup, my best friend's smile came to mind.

Hurray for Yamagata.
And, Ryu Shanghai.
Your bowl of noodles made me a little richer today.

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