Ramen @ Marutama Ramen, Empire Shopping Gallery, SS16

Just because I have left Tokyo does not mean the eating has stop. Barely. In fact, it might just invoked a more voracious appetite for Japanese food. And once again, ramen is at the focal point.

One of Japan's most popular comfort dishes, it has gone global and has surpassed its original Chinese ancestors, the noodle soup.  Just like noodle dishes here, ramen has many varieties and easy to customise. One such element is the soup. Ramen is commonly associated with pork based broths, the white and pale tonkotsu being the first to come into mind. Chicken is an element that is included in making ramen broths. But its usually has taken a back seat to its porky colleague. There are some places that do put the flavour of fowl as its star, and that is how tori paitan is born.

An urban retro feel...

Directly translated as white chicken soup, this is the main flavour base for Marutama Ramen, a menya located in Empire Shopping Gallery. Located in Subang, it is close to home literally and figuratively.  The place has a simple no frills menu, which places, you guess it, chicken ramen as their main dish, along side the usual side dishes like eggs and charshu. 

Golden, literally. 

Being the first time there, I just ordered their basic bowl. Like having a long black in a new cafe, always get their most basic bowl if you are in a new ramen place. This is because if their no frills order is good, then the rest will not be any problem. And boy it was good. The soup of course, is a bit different that your normal ramen fare. At first glance you can see its chicken soup, with the hues of yellow that is usually from chicken skin. From an angle it does look like chicken soup from a can.

A close up of that liquid gold. 

 However, what you get is far superior and much more satisfying. It has a more clean taste, compared to the porky  It was yet, similar in texture and akin to a silky tonkotsu. It has a sweeter taste, due to it being chicken. To the uninitiated, tori paiten does not have to be a full on chicken broth. Some shops do include a portion of pork stock to add more substance, and I think there is some pork broth in between.

Close up of the charshu

The noodles were alright. Egg and flour noodles similar to wan tan mee. Its good but nothing to shout about. The charshu slice given was fatty and well seasoned. A good side compliment to the soup. The scallions also gave it a fragrant bite to the whole bowl, thus completing the dish. 

Crushed!

As you can tell, the main reason that you are here is for that liquid gold. And how could you not? It was expertly done and goes down so easily. So easily in fact, I crushed the whole bowl. It was a satisfying meal. The basic bowl cost about RM23, and the price will add up depending on which sides you fancy or a top up of noodles. 

Men at work

This is a very simple and authentic Japanese meal worth taking a detour for. How authentic? Lets say the staff speak to each other in Japanese. So if you are up for some noodles, but would want an alternative to the standard pork fare, do drop by this great establishment. The address is as follows:

26, Lower Ground Level, Empire Shopping Gallery, 
Jalan SS 16/1, SS 16, Subang Jaya, Selangor 

Front of the house. You cannot miss this sign.