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Humble ramen noodles have once again tickled the taste buds of gourmets, as a shop in Tokyo has earned a star in "Michelin Guide Tokyo 2017," becoming the second such establishment honored.
Nakiryu in the capital’s Toshima Ward was awarded one star in the latest edition, released online on Nov. 29.
Another ramen shop in the same ward was selected for the coveted recognition for the first time in the 2016 edition.
“Last year, a ramen restaurant was awarded one star for the first time in Japan, and we thought we needed to get it too,” said Kazumasa Saito, 40, the owner of Nakiryu. “We cannot believe that it has become a reality. It is like a dream.
“We will pursue a better taste while keeping what we have achieved and revitalize our town.”
Nakiryu boasts a rich-tasting soup made with chicken as its mainstay, as well as beef bones, oysters and other ingredients.
The Tokyo edition of gastronomic guide marked the 10th-year milestone since its first appearance in 2007. The 2017 edition listed 542 restaurants this year, including 12 restaurants with the highest three stars, 54 with two stars, 161 with one star and 315 in the "Bib Gourmand" section.
Restaurants named in Bib Gourmand, a new category without stars that was recently introduced, are a provider of high-quality food costing 5,000 yen ($44.52) or less.
Four restaurants have been bestowed a three-star rating for 10 years in a row. One is the main outlet of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a sushi restaurant in Chuo Ward.
“We have no goal as we are professionals,” said Yoshikazu Ono, 57, of the restaurant. “We aim higher and higher to make our cuisine better than now.”
The other three restaurants are Kanda, Japanese cuisine, in Minato Ward, and Quintessence and Joel Robuchon, both French cuisine, in Shinagawa Ward and Meguro Ward, respectively.
(THE ASAHI SHIMBUN)
