Marukin Ramen
{{Short description|Japan-based chain of ramen restaurants}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
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Marukin Ramen is a Tokyo-based chain of ramen restaurants.{{Cite web |title=Portland's New Best Ramen Place Is Straight From Japan |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/04/13/portlands-new-best-ramen-place-is-straight-from-japan/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701203520/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/04/13/portlands-new-best-ramen-place-is-straight-from-japan/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, two Marukin locations in Portland, Oregon, became known as Kinboshi Ramen.
Description
Marukin Ramen is a ramen shop based in Tokyo. There were nine locations in the Greater Tokyo Area, as of 2016.{{Cite web |last=Bakall |first=Samantha |date=2016-03-04 |title=First look: Japanese ramen chain Marukin's first U.S. restaurant in Southeast Portland |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/03/first_look_tokyo_ramen_shop_ma.html |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423042130/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/03/first_look_tokyo_ramen_shop_ma.html |url-status=live }}
= Portland, Oregon =
Marukin operated two locations in Portland, Oregon, in Old Town Chinatown's Pine Street Market (housed in the United Carriage and Baggage Transfer Building) and in southeast Portland's Buckman neighborhood. Willamette Week{{'s}} Elise Herron described the Buckman location as "sleek, packing dark-stained family-style tables along the length of the building, which it splits with Thai chicken-and-rice phenom" Nong's Khao Man Gai.{{Cite web |title=Noodles |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2019/11/05/noodles/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704022725/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2019/11/05/noodles/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=So |first=Adrienne |date=2016-05-13 |title=Noshin' on Noodles at Portland's Marukin Ramen |url=https://sipmagazine.com/noshin-on-noodles-at-portlands-marukin-ramen/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Sip Magazine |language=en-US}}
The menu had vegetarian, vegan, and curry options.{{Cite web |title=A ramen restaurant in each state |url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/experience/food-and-wine/2017/12/26/a-ramen-restaurant-in-each-state/108928002/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=USA Today |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401161024/https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/experience/food-and-wine/2017/12/26/a-ramen-restaurant-in-each-state/108928002/ |url-status=live }} The vegan Shoyu red ramen has tofu, vegetables, and mushrooms.{{Cite web |title=7 spots in Portland that serve up slurp-worthy ramen {{!}} Dished |url=https://dailyhive.com/portland/best-ramen-portland-oregon |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Daily Hive |language=en |archive-date=2021-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817161420/https://dailyhive.com/portland/best-ramen-portland-oregon |url-status=live }} Marukin also served dumplings, fried chicken and karaage,{{Cite web |date=2022-08-23 |title=Marukin Ramen - Downtown - Portland, OR |url=https://www.theinfatuation.com/portland/reviews/marukin-ramen |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=The Infatuation |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206001646/https://www.theinfatuation.com/portland/reviews/marukin-ramen |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Marukin Ramen |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/restaurants/marukin-ramen |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706113201/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/restaurants/marukin-ramen |url-status=live }} onigiri rice balls with Japanese pickles,{{Cite web |title=Unbeatable Bowls at Marukin Ramen |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2016/04/unbeatable-bowls-at-marukin-ramen |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US}} tonkotsu pork broth, beer, sake, and wine.{{Cite web |title=Two New Portland Ramen Shops Take the Noodle Soup Beyond Japan |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/02/12/two-new-portland-ramen-shops-take-the-noodle-soup-beyond-japan/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922013102/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/02/12/two-new-portland-ramen-shops-take-the-noodle-soup-beyond-japan/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2016-05-11 |title=Huge Food Hall Pine Street Market Opens in Downtown Portland |url=https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/pine-street-market-opens-downtown-portland |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=The Daily Meal |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525165719/https://www.thedailymeal.com/eat/pine-street-market-opens-downtown-portland |url-status=live }} In 2016, Matthew Korfhage of Willamette Week wrote, "Marukin keeps it simple—counter-service ramen with a few sides—and unlike almost every other shop in town, it make its constantly improving, firm-textured noodles by hand at its own shop."{{Cite web |title=Why Are Tokyo Ramen Shops Suddenly Taking Over Portland? |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/13/why-are-tokyo-ramen-shops-suddenly-taking-over-portland/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208142933/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/13/why-are-tokyo-ramen-shops-suddenly-taking-over-portland/ |url-status=live }}
History
Masa Hayashi and Hiroshi Kusuda are co-owners.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2016-01-19 |title=Japanese ramen chain Marukin opening two Portland shops |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/01/japanese_ramen_chain_marukin_o.html |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224175012/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2016/01/japanese_ramen_chain_marukin_o.html |url-status=live }} David Rademacher is a U.S. partner.{{Cite web |title=Can Ramen Conquer Fast Casual? {{!}} QSR magazine |url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/consumer-trends/can-ramen-conquer-fast-casual |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=www.qsrmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203044359/https://www.qsrmagazine.com/consumer-trends/can-ramen-conquer-fast-casual |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Andrea Damewood |title=Marukin's Miraculous Noodle Machine |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/food-and-drink/2016/04/13/17874383/marukins-miraculous-noodle-machine |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Portland Mercury |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207020300/https://www.portlandmercury.com/food-and-drink/2016/04/13/17874383/marukins-miraculous-noodle-machine |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Tannler |first=Nancy |date=April 1, 2018 |title=Marukin Ramen |work=The Southeast Examiner |url=https://www.southeastexaminer.com/2018/04/marukin-ramen/}}
In Portland, executive chef Masaji Sakai joined head chef Mayumi Hijikata.
= Kinboshi Ramen =
{{Infobox restaurant|embed=|name=Kinboshi Ramen|native_name=|native_name_lang=|title=|logo=Kinboshi Ramen logo.png|logo_width=|logo_alt=|image=Kinboshi Ramen, Portland, Oregon, 2021 - 3.jpg|image_width=|image_alt=|image_caption=Exterior of the Southeast Ankeny restaurant, 2021|mapframe=|pushpin_map=|map_size=|map_alt=|map_caption=|slogan=|established=|closed=|current-owner=|previous-owner=|head-chef=|chef=|pastry-chef=|food-type=Japanese|dress-code=|rating=|street-address=|city=Portland|county=|state=Oregon|postcode=|country=United States|coordinates=|seating-capacity=|reservations=|other_locations=|other-label=|other-information=|website={{URL|kinboshiramen.com}}}}
Marukin opened two shops in Portland in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Bamman |first=Mattie John |date=2016-03-03 |title=Japanese Ramen Restaurant Marukin Softly Opens Tomorrow, Interior Revealed |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2016/3/3/11155412/marukin-ramen-opens-southeast-restaurant-portland-location |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811053837/https://pdx.eater.com/2016/3/3/11155412/marukin-ramen-opens-southeast-restaurant-portland-location |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Bamman |first=Mattie John |date=2016-01-19 |title=Tokyo's Marukin Ramen Chain Announces Second Portland Location |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2016/1/19/10790528/marukin-ramen-new-portland-location-restaurant-tokyo |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703013749/https://pdx.eater.com/2016/1/19/10790528/marukin-ramen-new-portland-location-restaurant-tokyo |url-status=live }} According to the Portland Tribune, the Pine Street location was "sought out to honor Old Town's Japanese heritage".{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jennifer |title=Portland joins food hall revolution |url=https://www.portlandtribune.com/lifestyle/features/portland-joins-food-hall-revolution/article_3a3e74e8-bb87-5d9d-a274-469a93f816e8.html |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Portland Tribune |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423042208/https://www.portlandtribune.com/lifestyle/features/portland-joins-food-hall-revolution/article_3a3e74e8-bb87-5d9d-a274-469a93f816e8.html |url-status=dead }} The two shops became known as Kinboshi Ramen in 2021.{{Cite web|last=Jackson-Glidden|first=Brooke|date=2021-06-08|title=The Portland Outposts of Japanese Ramen Chain Marukin Are Now Known as Kinboshi Ramen|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2021/6/8/22524596/marukin-kinboshi-split-portland-ramen|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627230136/https://pdx.eater.com/2021/6/8/22524596/marukin-kinboshi-split-portland-ramen|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title=Foodie Friday: Kinboshi Ramen |url=https://www.koin.com/am-extra/foodie-friday-kinboshi-ramen/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=KOIN.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901023202/https://www.koin.com/am-extra/foodie-friday-kinboshi-ramen/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
File:Kinboshi Ramen, Portland, Oregon, 2021 - 2.jpg
In 2016, Benjamin Tepler of Portland Monthly said "Marukin Ramen is arguably doling out the best ramen in the city, with rotating broths, magnificent noodles, and solid snacks, karaage to onigiri". He said of the Buckman location: "The long, crimson-hued space has attracted lines out the door since softly opening in March. Luckily, Marukin turns out its food with lightening-fast efficiency—under five minutes from iPad swipe to communal table".
Willamette Week{{'s}} Matthew Korfhage wrote in 2017: {{Blockquote|Marukin's tonkotsu is nonetheless in a class by itself in Portland—slightly light for the form, avoiding both indelicate porky sweetness and the gut bomb afflicting lesser tonkotsus, without sacrificing any depth of flavor. The effect is like an elephant riding a unicycle, terrifying and amazing in the bigness of its balance. If you like spicy, get the red version: Marukin has lately dialed in its chili levels to perfection.{{Cite web |title=We Tried 39 Bowls of Portland Ramen—These Are the Very Best, By Style |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/13/we-tried-39-bowls-of-portland-ramen-these-are-the-very-best-by-style/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208142945/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2016/12/13/we-tried-39-bowls-of-portland-ramen-these-are-the-very-best-by-style/ |url-status=live }}}}
Korfhage included restaurant's tonkotsu in Willamette Week{{'s}} 2018 list of "our favorite noodle bowls and plates in Portland for less than $15" and said, "Every broth served at Marukin is excellent—spicy, miso, shio, whatever... But it's all about that deep, hazy, porky tonkotsu shoyu bone broth... It feels impossible in both its delicacy and its depth, digging deep into the marrow of comfort."{{Cite web |title=Our Favorite Noodle Bowls and Plates in Portland for Less than $15 |url=https://www.wweek.com/culture/2018/03/20/the-five-best-places-to-get-noodles-in-a-bowl-for-under-15/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608025041/https://www.wweek.com/culture/2018/03/20/the-five-best-places-to-get-noodles-in-a-bowl-for-under-15/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Marukin Ramen |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2018/12/04/marukin-ramen/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701112701/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2018/12/04/marukin-ramen/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, the newspaper's Martin Cizmar wrote, "Marukin has wowed us since opening since opening its first stateside shop here. When we ate 39 different bowls around the city last year, Marukin came out on top in tonkotsu and made a strong showing elsewhere."{{Cite web |title=Han Oak, Marukin Take Home Top Honors at Portland’s First Whiskey and Ramen Festival |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/news-restaurants/2017/11/06/han-oak-marukin-take-home-top-honors-at-portlands-first-whiskey-and-ramen-festival/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2020-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923202354/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/news-restaurants/2017/11/06/han-oak-marukin-take-home-top-honors-at-portlands-first-whiskey-and-ramen-festival/ |url-status=live }}
Thrillist has said, "Marukin's simplicity is notable -- the bowl is not overly loaded with meat and veggies, relying on the impeccably seasoned broth and handcrafted noodles to satisfy ramen lovers and convert those poor, sad, lonely ramen skeptics. In short, Portland’s noodle game just got bumped up a notch."{{Cite web |title=Marukin Ramen |url=https://www.thrillist.com/venues/eat/portland/restaurants/marukin-ramen |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Thrillist |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201075458/https://www.thrillist.com/venues/eat/portland/restaurants/marukin-ramen |url-status=live }} The website's Dan Schlegel called Marukin an "essential" restaurant for Buckman in a 2016 list of Portland's 11 "best neighborhoods for eating".{{Cite web |title=The 11 Best Neighborhoods for Eating in Portland, Ranked |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/portland/best-neighborhoods-portland-oregon-dining-eating-out |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Thrillist |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216183809/https://www.thrillist.com/eat/portland/best-neighborhoods-portland-oregon-dining-eating-out |url-status=live }} Alex Frane included Marukin in the website's 2020 list of the "best spots to slurp ramen" in Portland.{{Cite web |title=The Best Spots to Slurp Ramen in Portland |url=https://www.thrillist.com/eat/portland/best-ramen-portland |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Thrillist |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406121614/https://www.thrillist.com/eat/portland/best-ramen-portland |url-status=live }} Marukin was a runner-up in the People's Choice category at the Whiskey and Ramen Festival in 2017. The Daily Hive included Marukin in a 2021 list of 7 "spots in Portland that serve up slurp-worthy ramen".
Seiji Nanbu included Kinboshi in Eater Portland
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Kinboshi Ramen}}
- [https://www.kinboshiramen.com Kinboshi Ramen]
{{Buckman, Portland, Oregon}}
{{Old Town Chinatown, Portland, Oregon}}
{{Restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}
{{Portal bar|Food|Japan|Oregon}}
Category:Restaurants in Buckman, Portland, Oregon
Category:Japanese restaurants in Portland, Oregon
Category:Restaurants in Old Town Chinatown