Gogyo 五行: Ramen on Fire

Ramen in a round black wok 
Burning like a silver flame
The summit of beauty and love.
And Gogyo was the name.

They've got it
Yeah Baby, they've got it. Wohoa~yeah
I'm your ramen, I'm your fire
At your desire.

Your eyes are not kidding you. 
This dramatic fire scene happens regularly in this ramen shop, Gogyo. This place is famous for Kogashi miso ramen (焦がし味噌麺), which literally means "burnt" ramen. The special broth is poured with lard and flambeed (set on fire),  resulting in a spectacular billowing flame.  As the broth is raised to temperatures above 100 degrees, it not only warms the noodles but the belly as the heat is trapped within the bowl. The aftermath of the fire a pool of ugly oil slick and burnt black remnants that floated everywhere but it was extremely tasty and surprisingly not too greasy. 
For lighter and cleaner palates, go for the Kogashi Shoyu Ramen 焦がし醤油麺 850yen, though I thought it lacked the garlicky, smoky depth of the miso version. Though the pork is slightly tough, it was delightful to find thin al dente noodles  instead of thick burly ones. I added 100 yen for cabbage. 

There are some side dishes during lunch such as steamed gyoza, though there are more choices during dinner. We had the deep fried chicken, karaage (380 yen) in the daily special sauce was far better than the oil drenched version at Keisuke-crunchy coating and super tender flesh. 

There is also tonkotsu ramen, Shio ramen and Tsukemen but it makes no sense to miss the Kogashi ramen on your first visit. It only has two outlets in Japan; one in Tokyo Nishi-Azabu, the other in Kyoto.Kogashi Ramen, ramen of my desire.

Gogyo 五行
Mon-Sun 11.30am-4pm 5pm-3am (till 12am for Sundays/Holidays)
Nishiazabu 1-4-36, Minato Ku Tokyo
Nearest Station: Roppongi
Click here for website

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