Noodle Journey Episode 182: Marutai Yatai Tonkotsu Ramen

I’m kicking off this year’s Marutai December marathon with a flavor that’s been around for a while but is new to me: Marutai Yatai Tonkotsu Ramen. This is now the third year in a row that I’ve turned December into a bit of a tradition of revisiting my favorite Japanese instant ramen brand, and as long as Marutai keeps releasing new varieties, I’m happy to keep doing it. This particular tonkotsu isn’t part of Marutai’s usual lineup of regional variations. Instead, it’s meant to represent a more straightforward, food-stall-style tonkotsu experience.

Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 182: Marutai Yatai Tonkotsu Ramen

The term “yatai” refers to Japanese food stalls or carts that commonly serve ramen, and Marutai describes this as a rich, full-bodied pork bone broth typical of Hakata yatai. This product is manufactured for sale in Japan, but it’s relatively easy to find through Japanese import websites and Asian markets. I found this one online as part of a multipack with two other varieties on Amazon for around $15, which works out more reasonably than it sounds once you remember that Marutai packs like this contain two full servings per package.

Inside the pack are those two servings of ultra-thin Hakata-style wheat noodles, a powdered soup base, and a seasoning oil. The broth powder includes pork and chicken extract, vegetable powder, soy sauce, green onion, and assorted spices that aren’t individually listed. The seasoning oil smells primarily of sesame oil, with a little additional fat contributing to the broth’s texture. The total sodium content for the full pack is about 1575mg, which comes out to roughly 4g of salt equivalent. The noodles cook quickly, needing only two minutes, and the instructions specify using the cooking water rather than draining and replacing it, for you purists out there who think the cooking water should be discarded.

Noodles:
These are classic Marutai straight noodles, and they’re as good as ever. They’re very thin, with an excellent chew and a slightly air-dried texture that gives them a nice wheaty finish. While they’re not quite restaurant quality, they’re close enough that they remain among the best instant noodles available.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
There’s no heat here at all. While I do pick up a little white pepper in the broth, it doesn’t register as spicy.
• 0/10

Overall:
This is a creamy, mild tonkotsu broth that’s extremely satisfying, especially on a cold day. The consistency is spot-on, with a savory pork-forward base, a light touch of soy sauce, and added richness from the sesame oil. What surprised me most was the presence of white pepper, which adds a subtle extra layer of flavor that I wasn’t expecting but really enjoyed. The green onion flakes are minimal but rehydrate well, even if they don’t add much beyond a bit of visual interest. Compared to some of Marutai’s more distinctive tonkotsu varieties, this one doesn’t stand out dramatically, but that’s not a knock against it. It’s well-executed, comforting, and delivers exactly what it promises.
• 9/10