Tokyo Ramen Master Moving to San Diego

The spotlight on San Diego’s impressive ramen community should grow even brighter with the arrival of another ramen master straight from Japan. Chef/owner Ryuichiro Shinagawa of Tokyo’s award-winning Basso Drillman will open his first U.S. shop in Oceanside, calling it Ramen Menma Basso Drillman.

Shinagawa, who has connections to another of Japan’s gold standard ramen spots, the legendary Taishoken, is most famous for abura soba, or soup-less ramen, in which the cooked noodles are seasoned with a rich sauce and crowned with pork, bamboo shoots, seaweed, and other toppings. In addition to a signature chicken broth-based version, the shop will also serve a vegetarian option.

The chef makes his own noodles in Japan, and plans to make them here as well though he’ll start by purchasing them from his friend and fellow master ramen chef Takeshi Endo of Menya Ultra Ramen, who is building a central kitchen in Kearny Mesa to expand his noodle production.

The 1,800-square-foot eatery will offer beer and sake as well as other appetizers to round out the menu. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Ramen Menma is expected to open mid-June.