Light, flavorful, but chintzy chashu

Dashi Kaoru Shio Ramen

Brand: 7-11

Price: 460 yen

Place of purchase: 7-11 convenience store

Rating:

7-11 convenience store's own line of ramen comes out with seasonal and regional dishes. Dashi kaoru shio ramen is a salt ramen in a broth made from chicken and pork bones and seafood stock. The label suggests that you ask the convenience store staff to heat it for you. It's worth it as the broth stays hot and the staff follow the cooking directions faithfully. The flavor is excellent. It's loaded with umami, has richness from the tonkotsu, pork bone broth, and a lightness from the chicken stock. It's garnished with a slice of chashu pork.

For about 500 yen, this shio ramen is pretty good and suitable for a light meal. it's not too calorific. When I got home, I immediately decanted the broth into my plain ramen bowl and it was easy enough to transfer the toppings - menma, onions, some greens, and a slice of chashu. Notice how shallow the broth is in the bowl? For under 500 yen, this is okay food value, but it's more like a half serving of ramen. A look at the 7-11 product site shows a large round slice of chashu, but in my bowl was a slice about half the size. It's good, but when I have time, I think I'll fix my own.