WHAT WE ATE
- Original Tomato Ramen (No Spicy) – 60/100, Fukuoka
- Original Tomato Ramen (Small Spicy) – 55/100, Fukuoka
Sanmi Ramen 333 in Fukuoka is a notable ramen spot known for its unique offerings, particularly the tomato ramen that went viral in the local SNS scene. The chain prides itself on its Italian chef-created recipe, innovation, and affordability in a city where Tonkotsu is the staple. A student meal costs only 330 yen, making it an extremely affordable choice without scrimping on quality.
Additionally, Sanmi Ramen offers options for various dietary preferences, including vegan and vegetarian variations. It’s advised to confirm specifics with the staff to ensure your dietary needs are met.
The restaurant, however, has received mixed reviews. Just looking at their Google reviews, you’ll see a huge swing in votes, with some patrons praising the innovative flavors and the accommodating nature of the staff, while others note inconsistencies in taste and service. Despite this, Sanmi Ramen 333 remains a popular choice for those looking to experience a different kind of ramen in Fukuoka.
Original Tomato Ramen (Non-Spicy): 60/100
Note: This version is the vanilla version with minimal toppings hence there’s no cheese and chashu.
Noodle: 10/35
The noodles are medium thick and straight with a mellow wheat taste. Despite their resemblance to Hakata style noodles, the texture is off—doughy, marginally clayish, and they stick to the teeth with no real bite. They also turn soggy quickly, making for a disappointing experience.
Soup: 25/35
The soup resembles minestrone but is largely savory with a mellow sweetness. There are tangy tomato undertones, and the subtle sweetness of the tomato comes through nicely. There’s a glistening layer of oil on top, but it doesn’t taste oily and leaves a clean palate. It’s surprising that this soup is made just with vegetables.
Note: According to reviews, a vegetarian version is available, but confirm with staff if you have dietary restrictions.
Meat: 15/20
Thin slices of pork replace the usual chashu. The pork is tender, juicy, and slightly chewy, with minimal marination that highlights the freshness and sweetness of the meat, complemented by the soup’s sourness. Surprisingly, this budget-friendly ramen includes a generous portion of about 7 or 8 slices of pork, which is more than most ramen we’ve tried.
Topping: 10/10
Toppings include a generous serving of spinach, some celery, and a marinated egg.
- Egg: Pleasingly salty with a strong but pleasant mirin taste.
- Spinach: Well-cooked, adding a slightly bitter flavor that enhances the meal.
- Celery: A bold flavor that stands out, acting as a palate cleanser, though it felt out of place to us.
Original Tomato Ramen (Small Spicy) – 55/100
The small spicy version is essentially the same ramen except the additional spicy topping for 100 yen more. The only difference is the soup which we will elaborate below.
Noodle: 10/35
Same score.
Soup: 20/35
The beauty of the soup in the non-spicy version is its subtle and delicate balance of flavors. Adding the spicy topping somewhat tips that balance and loses some of the intricacies of the broth. There’s still the savory body and slightly tangy undertones, but it lost much of its “vegetable-ness” and the fruity sweetness of tomato. The spiciness overshadows the original broth’s nuances, making it less complex and more straightforward in its heat. It actually tasted more Thai than Italian to us.
Meat: 15/20
Same score.
Topping: 10/10
Same score.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
