Zweiter Laden

A blanket of fine, velvety foam covers the surface of the bowl, concealing a layered soy sauce broth beneath. At Zweiter Laden in Nishi-Waseda, the signature rich foamed shoyu ramen pairs the smoky depth of charred garlic with the savory umami of fermented cheese. The first spoonful delivers an airy, gentle texture that quickly opens into a deep, lingering savouriness.

For a fuller experience, the special topping edition is an appealing choice. Designed to match the rich soup, the pork shoulder collar is coated in koji and slow-cooked at low temperatures, yielding tender, succulent meat that complements the broth without overwhelming it. Those craving heat can opt for the foamed Sichuan shoyu ramen, spiked with house-made spicy minced meat and numbing sansho pepper, or the foamed curry ramen, blending warming spices with the fermented broth base.

The shop features a relaxed counter-focused layout that feels approachable for solo diners. Operating in separate lunch and evening shifts, ordering is handled via a cash-only ticket machine. It offers an inventive twist on traditional shoyu ramen, built with thoughtful layers of depth best savored straight from the counter.