Marukin Ramen, a new restaurant with headquarters in Tokyo, opened in S.E. Portland a couple of weeks ago. They’re still going through their soft opening with limited menu selection, with Grand Opening on April 1, 2016. Xue and I visited them yesterday for lunch. We arrived at 11:40am, and were about fifth in line to order, with lots of available seating. By the time we left, the line was stretched long, and seating was becoming scarce. All ramen was $10.00 a bowl. Xue ordered the Miso, because it didn’t have shoyu listed in the soup base, and she wanted to skip the extra sodium. Broth: “Miso in chicken and Carlton Farms pork bones base”.
I ordered the Tokyo Shoyu. Broth: “Clear chicken and Carlton Farms pork bone broth base with shoyu”.
Xue was envious of the soft-center egg and two cuts of chashu pork. We sampled each other’s, and both prefer the clear Tokyo Shoyu broth. The spinach and menma (bamboo shoots) were fresh tasting. The egg has nice, runny yolk. The chashu was okay. I also ordered a side of chicken karaage for $8. The nuggets were crunchy on outside, and moist and tender inside with garlic added to the batter for taste.
A view from the entrance, as we left:
I can see how Marukin wold work in Tokyo to get salaryman in and out quickly during a lunch break. No time to linger as efficient staff is there to whisk away your ramen bowl (even though you haven’t slurped the last drop of broth).
Bottom line: Good, but we prefer Mirakutei (around the block). We need to come back to try the Tonkotsu Shoyu (John) and Marukin Red (Xue – Tonkotsu made spicy). Probably after the Grand Opening. That may level the playing field.
