Ramen Genta: quality ramen to the east of Tokyo
July 11th, 2008 by Jasmine Ngan
Located no more than a few minutes on foot from the south exit of Motoyawata Station (Keisei Line) in Ichikawa, Chiba – walk down the small road beside the bookstore, reach a pachinko parlor on the left, and the entrance to Shapo Department Store on the right, turn left at the pachinko parlor, keep on walking and the ramen shop is on the left; Ramen Genta is easily identifiable thanks to its black (left) and blue (right) sign.
With both indoor and outdoor seating options, Ramen Genta, in the humidity of summer offers ‘fresh’ or conditioned air options. Both come with advantages; sitting inside enabling customers to see the food prepared directly in front of them as well as offering the opportunity to interact with staff and other patrons. Outside, on the other hand, serves up an altogether more natural environment enabling the cooling summer breezes to be enjoyed.
Thanks in part to the ticket vending machine system in place, service is highly efficient as visitors wait but a few minutes to see their food appear. In this respect, Ramen Genta really has the best of both worlds: a quality restaurant but with fast food service. Add to this the fact that all offerings are priced below 1000 yen and ramen perfection seems the name of the game.
These points notwithstanding, customers unable to read Japanese will find themselves at a disadvantage as there is no English menu available, and this can make it tricky to know which button to press at the vending machine although it is possible to cope by looking at the pictures that are provided and, of course, by asking the staff who are very helpful and will try their best.
This writer-cum-visitor ordered a ramen dish complete with hot sauce, pork, scallions, egg and a serving of dried seaweed. Depending on personal preference, the dish in question can be served up hot or cold – the hot chili powder served on the side.
Additionally, there are condiments at each table to let customers adjust the potency and / or delicacy of their food to taste.
Order the above ramen dish hot and add a few (small) spoonfuls of chili oil and hot sauce; two ingredients that work in unison to enhance the hot sauce and thus best bring out the taste of the other ingredients, and your taste buds will be tingling with excitement – well worth the journey in and of itself.
[Address]
Minami-Yawata 4-2-10, Ichikawa, Chiba
[Tel]047-370-8508
