Noodle Journey Episode 44: Itsuki Hokkaido Yuzushio Ramen

I’m trying something completely different today: a Yuzu-flavored ramen from Itsuki, specifically their Hokkaido Yuzushio variety. This is the first time I’ve ever had anything with Yuzu, so I’m going in blind but excited. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that falls somewhere between lemon and grapefruit, and while a few ramen varieties use it, this is the first one I’ve come across in person. I picked this up at my local Asian grocery store for $4.79, but it’s also available online from sites like Yami and Asian Food Grocer. This package contains two servings, which makes the price pretty reasonable.

The “shio” in the name refers to the salt-based broth, which usually includes ingredients like chicken, fish, and vegetables. In this case, the packaging notes that it’s animal-free, and the translation of the ingredient list seems to confirm it’s vegan. The chicken flavoring comes from artificial means, likely via MSG and yeast extract.

Sodium content clocks in at 2,430mg, or 106% of the daily value, so definitely be mindful of that. Inside the pack are two bundles of straight, thin noodles and two powdered soup packets. The broth includes salt, sesame oil, garlic, onion, mushroom powder, and of course Yuzu.

Noodles:
Thin, straight noodles with a surprisingly great chewiness. They pair really well with the lighter broth and hold their texture perfectly. Just wheat flour, water, and salt, but they’re excellent.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
There’s absolutely no chili or heat in this, so it’s a perfect option if you’re avoiding spice altogether.
• 0/10

Overall:
The broth is mellow and nicely balanced, with citrus and sesame oil standing out the most. The Yuzu is tart and sour, leaning more toward unsweetened lemon than grapefruit to me. A bit of garlic, onion, and mushroom rounds things out with some background umami, though nothing feels overly dominant. The flavor is cohesive but simple, more of a pleasant, comforting experience than a bold or complex one. While the broth is tasty, it could benefit from some included garnishes like green onion or sesame seeds. It’s a shame there’s nothing like that in the packet, especially considering the price. That said, it’s still a solid bowl of noodles and a great introduction to the Itsuki brand. This is a good feeling-under-the-weather ramen for sure.
• 7/10

The noodles alone make this a strong entry, and now I at least know what Yuzu probably tastes like. If the packaging is to be believed, this would pair well with toppings like egg, pork, green onion, sesame seeds, or even corn.