Crab Ramen @ Ramen Toride, Yorozucho, Sasebo, Nagasaki

 

Just when you thought you have seen every version of ramen out there, there will be one special one out there that you have yet discovered. So special, that it just claws you in, literally! As for this time, the ramen that we are looking at comes with claws. 

Classic exterior

Ramen Toride looks like any classic local ramen joint. Unassuming and somewhat basic, you would not know what is behind it until someone steps into the premises. However, the sign was a bit of a giveaway. With "shellfish based soup" (貝白湯) plastered on the front of the shop, my curiosity peaked. 

Oh wow!

Once you enter, you will find the menu plastered on the walls. With amazing classics like chicken and pork-based soups, one thing stuck out, and it was the crab ramen for 1000 yen. So it was a no-brainer for me to have it. And with crab legs trying to escape the bowl, it really did stuck out! It definitely made for an interesting visual. Although looks are not the only thing that should be noted here. 

It glistens! 

The soup itself was very special. Imagine taking down the ocean with each mouthful and you get what I am thinking about. The soup reminded me of a crab bisque or a very clean fisherman's stew. It was creamy but not to the point of a tonkotsu. It has a velvety quality to it. However, it is not as heavy as its porky brothers. The fried onion bits also gave off some smokiness which I really liked. It was surely something really special, and the best way to experience this is to have it in person. 

 

Leggy...

In terms of toppings, instead of the regular charshu and egg, we have here is half a crab! I always loved crab, but they are such a pain to eat. However, do not fret as the shop will provide you nutcrackers to help you with this exercise. The crab was sweet and salty, with a tinge of shellfish savouriness. 

Right tools for the right job.

This was a very unique topping indeed. But it is something I really enjoy. In order to get the most out of it, you would have to break the crustacean by hand and suck the flesh out of the legs. Not the most gentlemen of eating techniques and incredibly messy. But oh boy was this great. 

Slurp!

The noodles were the standard yellow noodles you would get from any good ramen shop. Which I think is fine, as the crab is so flavourful. As such it may not be a good idea for a more pronounced noodle to compete with this seafood galore. 

Gone!

In the end, I have to say this was one of my more interesting ramen outings. I could even say this is probably my most interesting one! And definitely one of my better ones as well. It was unconventional but I demolished my bowl of noodles with ease. This is an easy recommendation for this place to anyone who is willing to make the trip to the ends of Nagasaki. So if you would like to see what the fuss is all about, then the address is as follows:

7-11 Yorozucho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 857-0877

Left very satisfied!