Hyperlocal Tokyo

I recently had the pleasure of trying the 'Special Duck Chuka-soba (Salt)' at 'Mankeiken,' a renowned ramen shop in Kinshicho, Tokyo. This dish is a testament to their unwavering dedication to duck, showcasing its exquisite flavors in every aspect. The ramen's defining characteristic is its 100% domestic duck broth. A generous amount of duck is meticulously simmered in water alone, extracting its essence to the fullest. The broth is then seasoned solely with duck oil, foie gras oil, and salt, culminating in a truly exceptional duck-centric experience. The depth of flavor is truly remarkable, and one bite will undoubtedly captivate you with its refined taste. The noodles are a medium-thin straight variety, prioritizing a satisfying chewiness. This texture complements the rich duck broth, enhancing the overall enjoyment. The duck meat, prepared using sous vide techniques, maximizes its texture and brings out its profound umami, further elevating the exquisite nature of the duck chuka-soba. This ramen is a celebration of duck, showcasing their meticulous attention to detail in every element. One taste will leave you captivated by its unique flavor and depth. It was a truly delightful experience!

【Kinshicho】 Located about a 5-minute walk from Kinshicho Station's south exit, across from the Men-Udon restaurant. This place is known for its rich duck broth, simmered for hours, and its smoked duck chashu. I went there on a Sunday at 4 pm, and while there was no wait, the counter was about 80% full. The atmosphere inside was a bit gloomy and not very lively. I ordered the special duck ramen with salt broth. They offer a few condiments, so I asked for mountain wasabi and ginger. It's best to ask for them upfront, as they might be busy and you might not get them if you ask later. The noodles were a bit too soft for my liking.

This restaurant offers ramen made with meticulous attention to the quality of ingredients. I had the salt ramen, and the combination of the broth and chicken was simply divine. This collaboration is truly exceptional. I believe the best way to enjoy the ramen is to order a regular portion, as the large size might not be as well-balanced with the broth. However, there were a few things that bothered me. My biggest concern was the lack of attention to hygiene. The way they handled food that fell on the floor was unacceptable for a restaurant. It really comes down to the staff's awareness. While the ramen was delicious, the staff's unacceptable behavior has made me hesitant to return.

Instagram▶︎@wakuwaku_saaan This is the second brand of "Mentai Ramen Men-Uo." • Special Duck Chuka Soba (Soy Sauce): ¥1350 • Special Duck Chuka Soba (Salt): ¥1290 If you order a beer, you get a piece of char siu as an appetizer, so if you combine it with the special, you get a lot of char siu, which is super luxurious. I shouldn't have ordered it since I don't like duck, but I ordered it with hope because I can enjoy it depending on the dish. The soup made from duck and water had a strong duck flavor, which I personally didn't like, neither the soy sauce nor the salt. (←This is completely my problem.) My husband was eating it saying "Delicious! Delicious!" The char siu was smoky and had a strong black pepper flavor, which was delicious.

Duck Chinese-style Ramen with Soy Sauce (¥1,050) + Smoked Egg (¥150) First visit. On a Sunday in September 2024, I arrived 5 minutes before opening and was at the front of the line. There were 3 people waiting when they opened on time. I purchased a ticket from the vending machine on the left side of the entrance and was guided to my seat. The aroma of roasted onions wafted through the air. With a team of 3, the cooking was quick, and the ramen arrived in just 3 minutes. The soup was made with only duck and water, but the sweet soy sauce was quite strong, yet the duck broth didn't lose out. The flavor of the roasted onions blended in, making it a truly enjoyable taste. The temperature was also perfect. The noodles were thin, straight, and slightly firm, reminiscent of duck nanban. The length was appropriate. The portion size was about 150g before cooking. The char siu consisted of two slices of low-temperature cooked pork and two small, well-cooked blocks with a firm texture. The meat flavor was decent. The onions were two roasted cylindrical slices and some raw diced onions. The roasted ones were, as expected, incredibly delicious. The komatsuna was fresh. The egg had almost no smoked aroma. It was lightly seasoned with salt and was pretty good. The yuzu paste seemed to lose its flavor when dissolved, so it would be best to enjoy it on the meat or noodles. Flavor-changing condiments are provided upon request. I asked for ginger, which completely transformed the soup. The sweetness disappeared, leaving a sharp, refreshing taste. I finished the meal leisurely in about 10 minutes. For duck ramen, this is a great deal for the quality. When I left at 11:15, the restaurant was almost full.