Noodle Journey Episode 52: Marutai Oita Torigara Shoyu Ramen

I’m continuing my Marutai ramen series with a style that stands apart from their usual tonkotsu offerings: soy sauce broth! This Oita-style shoyu ramen takes its inspiration from Tokyo’s original soy sauce ramen, first introduced in 1910. The broth blends premium soy sauce with chicken bone soup, bonito, yuzu, and kelp to create a complex flavor base. Despite being labeled as chicken broth, it also contains pork oil and sake, adding richness and depth.

The pack includes two servings with separate liquid soup packets and powdered yuzu garnish, an uncommon touch that allows you to control the level of citrus. Expect a strong tartness from the yuzu, especially once it rehydrates. Sodium clocks in at about 2228mg per serving, so it’s on the higher side. This variety is available on YamiBuy, Meccha Japan, and Amazon, usually between $4–$8. I’ve also seen it pop up in HMart and other Asian grocery stores.

Noodles:
These noodles deliver once again. They’re medium-thick, with just the right chew, and they pair perfectly with the broth. This is classic Marutai quality, consistent and outstanding.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
This is not a spicy variety at all.
• 0/10

Overall:
This broth is one of the more interesting soy sauce-based varieties I’ve had. Tasting it before adding the yuzu, it’s already complex and flavorful, combining the salt and umami of soy sauce with a smoky hint from the bonito and a subtle sweetness likely coming from the sake. It reminds me of the high-quality broths in both the Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce and Nissin Raoh Soy Sauce varieties. Once the yuzu garnish is added, it turns into something else entirely: a bright, tart, slightly bitter citrus flavor that cuts through the richness and elevates the entire dish. The dried yuzu bits even add a bit of crunch. While I personally love the effect, I get that the flavor might not be for everyone. Some green onion or sesame would help round out the texture, and the lack of variety in that department is the only thing holding this back from a perfect score.
• 9.5/10

If you enjoy citrus-forward broths or want to try a soy sauce ramen that breaks from the usual mold, this is an easy recommendation. I demolished this once the camera turned off.

Notes since filming:

This one, like the Miyazaki chicken flavor that preceded it in my review order, seems to have been discontinued by Marutai, though at the time of this writing there may still be some old stock floating around.