01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
How should you pair a bowl of tonkotsu shoyu ramen with spinach, nori and rice? At Taigiya, diners can enjoy the classic ie-kei style of eating while choosing a soup to suit their mood. Some diners describe the shoyu tonkotsu as rich with soy-sauce flavour yet easy to eat; others find it robust and full-bodied. Those who enjoy a stronger flavour might pair it with rice, while anyone wanting to focus on the noodles and soup can make those the centre of the meal.
Diners who order rice have their own ways of enjoying it. One reported combination is to top the rice with spinach and char siu, then wrap it in nori dipped in the soup. Some add ground chilli for extra heat, making use of the soup even after the noodles are gone. Reviews also mention chewy noodles that take up the soup well, as well as thicker noodles with a satisfying bite. Toppings include seasoned egg, spinach and nori, so an order can centre on noodles and soup or extend to a full combination with rice.
There are several alternatives to tonkotsu shoyu, including shio tonkotsu, miso tonkotsu, spicy miso tonkotsu and shrimp-and-seafood broth tonkotsu. One diner who often ordered miso said they tried the shio and liked it, while another reported returning to the spicy miso. The menu also lists shrimp-and-seafood broth tonkotsu, described as combining shrimp and seafood flavours. The Special Tantanmen, with a white sesame paste flavour, is available only in the evening, while chilled tantan noodles are listed as a summer-only option. These offer a change of direction from the standard tonkotsu choices.
For a little more to eat, consider the house-made char siu rice bowl, prepared with char siu cooked in a special tamari soy-sauce sauce. It can accompany ramen, or diners can make a meal of rice with soup and nori instead. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with evening service until 22:30. One visitor reported that orders were placed using meal tickets, so first-time diners may want to be ready to choose their order at the vending machine.
