The broth is flown in frozen from Hokkaido, Japan – enjoy the authentic Umekougen ramen even in Taoyuan

▲Umekougen’s Far Eastern Taoyuan branch has officially opened – locals no longer have to go all the way to Taipei for their favorite ramen!(Photo shows the Shoyu Miso Ramen)

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan, Taoyuan

Fromthe Hokkaido-based ramen shop Umekougenwhich launched in Taiwan in 2012, has since opened three branches in Taipei 101, Banqiao Metro Fuzhong Station, and Dream Mall in Tainan. Its fourth location is now in Far Eastern Department Store, Taoyuan. The ramen broth is made in Hokkaido, frozen, and then flown to Taiwan, allowing locals in Taoyuan to savor the authentic taste of Hokkaido ramen without heading to Taipei.

The Umekougen Far Eastern Taoyuan branch is managed byJapanese store manager Suzuki Shinsuke,who ensures top quality. Suzuki started working at Umekougen during his university years and has over ten years of experience. He majored in Chinese and speaks fluent Mandarin. Regarding Umekougen’s specialties, Suzuki explained that the shop’s broth is simmered for 8–10 hours using pork and chicken bones along with vegetables, then combined with dried small sardines and kelp and further simmered for about two hours to create a “double-base” soup. To maintain consistent quality, the broth used in all four Taiwan branches is prepared in Hokkaido, frozen, and then air-freighted to Taiwan.


▲The soy sauce used in the shoyu ramen is also imported from Japan.

Umekougen offers three main ramen flavors: miso, shoyu (soy sauce), and shio (salt). According to Suzuki, all three are based on the simmered broth, then seasoned with miso, soy sauce, or salt. Both the miso and soy sauce are imported from Japan. The miso ramen has a mildly spicy flavor with a rich, savory soybean aroma, paired with plenty of bean sprouts for added texture. The shoyu ramen uses soy sauce that has been lightly infused with char siu pork and then aged, combining with the double-base broth to create a layered taste. For those who enjoy spicy food, there's also a “Spicy Ramen” option, with soup bases available in miso, shoyu, and shio flavors. Currently, aside from the airport location, only these four Taiwan branches offer Spicy Ramen.


▲Vegetable Salt Ramen.

Char siu (roast pork) is another key element in Japanese ramen. At Umekougen, the char siu is first boiled over high heat for one hour, then simmered over low heat for another hour. It is then marinated in soy sauce imported from Japan for 30 minutes before being chilled in the refrigerator for two days. Suzuki noted that the chilling process firms up the meat and allows the soy sauce flavor to fully penetrate.


▲A generous slice of char siu.

To better absorb the broth, Umekougen uses medium-thin curly noodles, made with flour sourced from Japan and Australia but produced locally in Taiwan.

 
▲Umekougen’s medium-thin curly noodles.


▲Broth flown in frozen from Hokkaido, Taiwan.


▲Store-made fried chicken, exclusive to Taiwan.

Umekougen Taoyuan Branch
Address: 9F, No. 20, Zhongzheng Rd., Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City (Far Eastern Department Store)
Phone: 03-33988404
Business Hours: 11:00–22:00