Noodle Journey Episode 82: Ramen Talk Tomato Tonkotsu Ramen

Ramen Talk continues to surprise me with their unique and premium lineup, and this Tomato Tonkotsu Ramen is no exception. I’ve never encountered anything quite like it before, a fusion of rich pork bone broth and tomato paste that promises an umami-forward, slightly sweet and acidic twist on a classic tonkotsu. Whether or not this combination is authentic to any region of Japan is unclear, but it certainly caught my attention. Since I found the basic tonkotsu flavor slightly underwhelming, I’m hoping this variation delivers a bit more punch.

As with all of Ramen Talk’s products, you’re getting a full spread of quality ingredients in one package: artisanal sun-dried noodles, a thick tomato tonkotsu soup base, a slice of chashu pork, freeze-dried green onions with sesame seeds, and unfortunately for me… corn. At just under $7 from the official website (plus shipping), the price remains steep, but remember you’re paying for all of the stuff that’s included in this bag, not just noodles and broth.

Noodles:
These are the same noodles used in other Ramen Talk varieties like the Volcano Bolognese and Tom Yum, and they continue to impress. The sun-dried wheat noodles are light, with a satisfying firmness and chew that elevates the overall experience far above standard instant ramen.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
No spice at all in this one. It’s a completely mild bowl with no heat to speak of.
• 0/10

Overall:
The corn remains my least favorite inclusion, both in taste and texture, and it doesn’t really add anything here. It’s just kind of… there. But the rest of the bowl redeems the experience. The broth has a rich porky depth, and the tomato enhances it with a layer of complex umami that you don’t normally get from standard tonkotsu. It doesn’t taste like ketchup or some weird tomato experiment, but rather it’s almost like a deeply savory tomato soup with a backbone of tonkotsu flavor holding it up. The chashu slice, which was a bit bland in the basic tonkotsu variety, takes on a more flavorful profile here thanks to the broth. Even the green onions bounce back nicely. I still think a different topping like bamboo shoots might have taken this to the next level, but as-is, it’s a clever twist on a classic, and I’m glad I tried it.
• 9/10