Noodle Journey Episode 58: Marutai Kumamoto Kuromayu Tonkotsu Ramen

This one has me excited. I’m trying Marutai’s Kumamoto Kuromayu Tonkotsu Ramen, a variety centered on one of my all-time favorite ramen additions: black garlic oil. Known as mayu or kuromayu, this oil is made by scorching garlic in sesame or other oil until it develops a nutty, roasted flavor. Google tells me it’s a staple of this Kumamoto-style tonkotsu, a regional variety that blends pork and chicken bones for a milder, less oily broth than its Hakata counterpart. The addition of garlic is a hallmark of this style, and I can’t wait to see how well this instant version captures it.

This pack comes with Marutai’s standard three-minute straight noodles, two soup powder packets, and two oil packets. The ingredient list includes both pork and chicken extracts, which aligns with traditional Kumamoto broth and pretty much all of the other Marutai soup bases I’ve reviewed. And also like the other Marutai varieties, the sodium level is intense at 2,230mg per serving, so drink the broth with caution. Each pack contains two servings and can be found on YamiBuy, Amazon, or at your local Asian market, generally priced between $4 and $8.

Noodles: These are the same excellent noodles used across most of the other Marutai varieties. They’re straight, medium-thick, and perfectly chewy. They’re well suited to the rich tonkotsu broth and are a typical standout.
• 10/10

Spiciness: This isn’t spicy by any stretch, though there is a distinct black pepper presence. If you’re unusually sensitive to black pepper, you might detect a bit of heat. Otherwise, this is a classic mild ramen.
• 0/10

Overall: This is one of the best instant ramen broths I’ve ever had. The black garlic oil adds depth and complexity, with a rich roasted aroma and punchy garlic flavor. The tonkotsu base is mild and balanced, and I noticed the sesame flavor most after the garlic flavor, with some additional soy umami and zesty ginger flavors in there too. Everything comes together into an insanely good broth. If you’re a garlic lover, this one is a must-buy.
• 10/10

Notes since filming:

I’ve been hard-pressed to find something that satisfies my craving for garlic quite like this one. Such a great balance between flavor, quality, and value. There’s a reason this was my favorite variety for a long time.