Coin-operated ramen shop from Japan now in Kaohsiung!! Inheriting the authentic flavors of Yokohama's Ichiran-style ramen

Text/Photos byHu Li Xiao Hai Hai

Recently, ramen maniac Xiao Hu actually found this little ramen spot called Xiaolin, which even uses a Japanese-style coin vending machine... Shali admits she was initially drawn in by the vending machine (〃∀〃). For those who don’t have a particular love for ramen, it’s honestly hard to muster the motivation to try something new~~ But the broth enthusiast dragged us there right away for a meal~ An excitable type, right==? Before trying it out, I skimmed through some info, but there didn’t seem to be much available... Anyway, for the sake of “eating,” Xiao Hu went all in without hesitation~ Hahaha!! The original flagship store of Xiaolin Ramen is actually in Changhua (Shali’s alma mater is in Changhua too~ so familiar!), and later they opened a branch in Taipei, followed by one in Kaohsiung^^ Fanpage description: ‘Xiaolin Ramen is committed to inheriting the authentic flavors of Yokohama family-style ramen from Japan, using natural and locally sourced Taiwanese ingredients to create a rich-style ramen.’

The best part is you don’t have to fly to Japan... to experience the atmosphere of eating ramen locally~~~ The texture is quite Japanese-style as well ("g∀"f)0? The broth was rich and flavorful... Because I got burned again while organizing photos, I immediately rushed back to try the signature ramen XDD So you’ll see a more diverse selection of ramen dishes~~~ You can adjust the richness and firmness of the noodles according to your personal taste preferences~

【9 Simple Steps for Ordering】This is for dining in. Takeout service is also available.
Step 1. Decide on the flavor you’d like to eat (there’s a menu you can refer to)
Step 2. If you need to wait for a seat, remember to register your details in the notebook outside the shop first
Step 3. After being seated by the staff, go to the vending machine to place your order
Step 4. Order the meal you want (don’t worry about the richness level yet)
Step 5. Insert your money into the machine → receive change + get your meal ticket
Step 6. Take the pen hanging on the machine and circle the options on the “meal ticket” for “saltiness, firmness, portion size” (if you want normal levels, just tell the staff directly)
Step 7. The meal ticket has a serial number, keep the stub, and hand the other part to the staff
Step 8. When the chef finishes cooking and calls your number, collect your meal based on your ticket number
Step 9. There’s water on the table, pour it yourself, add condiments as you like, and start enjoying your ramen

Xiaolin Ramen is located just a few steps away from Akakichi... Xiao Hu and Shali have queue trauma(;´锭?多) The restaurant was still preparing at 11:20 AM, so we went ahead and waited in line!(We were customer No. 001, yay!)

Previously when I went to Japan to eat at Ichiran, I also used a vending machine, but it was a real test of math skills.... You had to insert money first before choosing your meal~~ Xiaolin Ramen is pretty thoughtful—you can press whatever you feel like eating, and then just stuff the money into the machine and let it give you your change XD Although we had already checked the menu outside and knew what we wanted to order... facing the machine was still a bit overwhelming. ???(つд`?)???

You always learn from the first experience~~~ By the next day when I went again, Shali was already a pro at it!! The best part about this vending machine is..... it accepts thousand-dollar bills (　?∀?) ?&a (No need to exchange for small change, how great!)

Maybe because the machine is a bit fun, it feels like spending money doesn’t hurt as much?!(´σ-`) This machine takes both coins and bills, so dine with peace of mind~~~ ㄎㄎ.

After you’ve placed your order, the chef will start preparing your meal on the cooking counter~~~ Hu Li went early so we didn’t have to wait too long.... But if you go during busy times, be patient!(’*ω’*)

【Hell Ramen】（Small）NT$210(Flavor selected as normal, with a bit of spice)
This is the one Xiao Hu ordered~~ She had a cold but still wanted spicy food, that’s pretty hardcore XDD We originally wanted to test out what our friend meant by super salty and heavy flavors.... so we went with the normal version first!! Xiao Hu could tell right away whether it was any good~ haha！The level of spice was okay, not too harsh on the mouth... but it was indeed a bit oily = = Xiaolin’s normal flavor is on the saltier side!! Saltier side!! Saltier side!! Adjust according to your taste when ordering—don’t assume it’s the normal Taiwanese kind of flavor.... Real Japanese ramen flavors are super intense (p%?p)

The char siu fat content is a bit shocking!! We underestimated the aftertaste of that meat.... We should’ve asked the shop to make it less fatty (~’⊙д-)

The broth of the normal version of Hell Ramen is quite oily~~~~ People who aren’t used to oily food should steer clear!! Xiao Hu rarely couldn’t finish the broth...... (?д?≡?д?)

I forgot to ask them to make the noodles a bit firmer for Xiao Hu.... Fortunately, the normal ones still had a slight firmness^^

Xiaolin Ramen’s ramen comes with plenty of spinach~~~~ Feels quite nutritious!!

The marbled egg is a common basic item in ramen XDD There are also two slices of savory seaweed~~~~ Very likable!!

【Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen)】NT$220(Select the regular version)
I suddenly realized Sally leans toward tsukemen... she wants to try it everywhere she goes!! At Menchū Kobayashi, you can have the tsukemen served hot—just be sure to inform the staff in advance!!!

The tsukemen broth comes with several slices of char siu... cutting them into small pieces makes them less greasy.

There’s also a big slice of char siu in the bowl~~ the fatty part is still quite generous XD

While this is the usual texture, the lack of soaking in the broth... makes it taste more springy than Xiaohu’s bowl. I thought it was a small portion, but turns out there’s actually quite a lot—people with average appetites might end up too full (|||?д?)

If you’re not particularly fond of salty food... it’s better to go for the low-sodium or light version. Or just dip the noodles moderately~~~ otherwise you’ll end up chugging water and getting stuffed (´⊙ω⊙`)

[Milk Oysters] NT$80
I saw others recommending this side dish~~ so Xiaohu basically forced Sally to order it (´⊙ω⊙`) Surprisingly, it tasted pretty good. This is the most recommended side dish~~ the portion is just right, and it’s not greasy even after finishing... crispy outside and soft inside—not bad at all. (Oyster lovers, give it a try.)

[Chicken Karaage] NT$70
For some reason... this chicken karaage has a sesame oil aroma?! Sally found it quite fragrant and rich—she liked it~~ and it’s super addictive XD But due to the saltiness and sesame oil flavor... Xiaohu stopped after one piece....... ??(つд`?)??? Interested folks should try it themselves~~ you might like it.

[Deep-fried Tare Tofu] NT$60
This was ordered on the second visit~~ because we went too early on the first day and the ingredients weren’t ready yet.... couldn’t get the tofu. It has an extremely soft and tender texture.... but the skin isn’t very crispy, though the Japanese-style sauce coating is decent.

[Chicken Shio (Small)] NT$170(Slightly light, slightly firm, slightly small portion)
This flavor is probably the signature dish at Menchū Kobayashi~~ Sally learned her lesson today and picked the lighter option for Xiaohu. Plus, she got her favorite firm noodles XD The chicken bone broth is clearer and more refreshing than the pork bone broth. Soup lovers should go for this..... soup enthusiast Xiaohu was super satisfied with this bowl, kept raving about it = = Try it yourselves?

The noodles were freshly cooked and steaming hot..... perfect for warming up in winter ( a° \?a°)

[Pork Bone Shio (Small)] NT$190(Slightly light, slightly soft, slightly small portion)
Sally, who usually likes soft noodles, regretted her choice a bit after ordering... she should’ve gone with the normal~~ slightly firmer texture. Soft noodles get even softer when soaked in the broth, just a heads-up (1E乇B丞 But overall it’s not bad~~ it’s just that the pork bone flavor is really strong, and the broth is a bit oily and easy to get tired of. If you’re not used to it, go for the Chicken Shio instead.

After finishing the meal at Menchū Kobayashi, I seriously felt.... the flavors really match what they emphasize as “rich”! XD Maybe that’s just their signature style~~ at least Hu-Li would want to come back again (actually, it’s already our second visit). If you’re not used to the heavy flavors of Japanese ramen.... it’s best to start with the lightest option, the Chicken Shio ( ´%? ?%脏) Otherwise, if you impulsively order a richer ramen, you might cry. Don’t ruin your expectations for coin-operated ramen~~ behave yourselves.

Recommended for those who love Japanese coin-operated ramen or absolutely must try it &a(*´∀｀*)人(*´∀｀*)&a

Menchū Kobayashi – Kaohsiung Branch
Phone: 07-5582227
Taipei Branch FB | Changhua Head Store
Address: No. 296, Bo’ai 2nd Rd., Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30–21:30. Walk-in seating available.

Hu-Li laughing happily
Life needs experiences, life needs trying. “Taste” is a very subjective thing—only when expectations are met and emotions stirred can a beloved flavor be created.
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