Noodle Journey Episode 135: Marutai Seiyoken Tonkotsu Ramen

Marutai Seiyoken Tonkotsu Ramen is the first of three restaurant collaboration products I’m reviewing in a row from Marutai, supervised by Seiyoken in Kurume City, the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen. Unlike the Local Series packs I’ve reviewed before, these are part of Marutai’s “Famous Store Ramen” line, meant to replicate specific restaurant recipes. This one promises a light yet rich tonkotsu broth made with a liquid soup packet instead of the usual powder for a more authentic experience.

I paid $5.49 for a single pack at Yamibuy. Unlike other Marutai packs, this one contains just one serving, which makes it one of the most expensive instant ramen servings I’ve bought. Sodium comes in at 2320mg, about 101% of your daily intake. Inside are Marutai’s thinnest noodles yet, cooking in just 90 seconds, along with a liquid broth packet and a flake packet. The broth base includes pork and chicken extract, gelatin, pork fat, soy sauce, and other seasonings. The flakes are dehydrated green onions, with a surprisingly strong fresh aroma once opened.

When prepared, the broth appeared light in consistency but rich with visible oil, giving it the look of restaurant-style tonkotsu.

Noodles:
Extremely thin but firm with a pleasant chew. They cling to the broth nicely and don’t go soggy. Excellent texture and quality.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
None.
• 0/10

Overall:
The flavor is exactly what Marutai describes: light yet rich. The broth balances pork and chicken almost evenly, delivering a savory depth without being heavily gamey. Soy sauce saltiness and a punch of green onion carry through every sip, giving the bowl some great contrasting flavor alongside the richness of oil and fat. It’s a straightforward tonkotsu without added garlic or sesame complexity, but it’s executed so well that it doesn’t need embellishment. The only drawback is the steep price per serving, but the taste is restaurant quality, and the combination of liquid broth and ultra-thin noodles makes it feel special. I debated whether the cost should knock the score down, but the flavor, texture, and overall presentation convinced me otherwise. This earns a perfect rating.
• 10/10