Bannai is a well-known chain serving Kitakata-style shoyu ramen. Chain or not, it’s mild and easy to eat, so I drop in now and then.
Summer-only cold ramen
The chilled shoyu-based broth, loaded with sesame oil, goes beautifully with the thick, springy noodles. I wondered how they ever came up with something this good. Just like makguksu with perilla oil, a good oil really does add aroma and flavor.
The noodles
Nice and springy. For a while there I stopped craving naengmyeon altogether.
Chashu-don
The side dishes are good too. In both Korea and Japan, chain restaurants just keep getting better.
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