Sugakiya’s Zaru Ramen: The Perfect Cold Noodle for a Hot Summer Day
It started with a big cleaning session. The kind where you move furniture, wipe everything down, and end up sweaty before noon. By the time I was done, there was exactly one thing I wanted: something cold.
Enter Sugakiya’s Zaru Ramen — chilled noodles with a wafu soy sauce dipping broth, a Nagoya soul food brand found in the refrigerated section at supermarkets across the Tokai region.
The Solo Cook Confession
Here’s something I’ll admit freely: cooking for yourself is a completely different experience from cooking for your family. When it’s just you? Motivation disappears fast. The packet recommended toppings like green onion, menma, cucumber, and shiso. I did not prepare a single one of them.
Making it is almost embarrassingly simple: boil the noodles for 3 minutes, rinse them under cold water until they’re properly chilled, and pour the tsuyu into a separate bowl. That’s it. Done.
I did end up adding a couple of things — half a boiled egg left over from my son’s bento, and some shredded nori I had on hand. For a solo lunch, that felt like more than enough. Honestly, a little luxurious.
What the Noodles Are Like
The noodles are smooth, springy, and have a satisfying chew — that koshi (コシ) texture that good ramen noodles are known for. One thing to watch: don’t overcook them. A minute too long and you’ll lose that bite entirely.
The wafu soy sauce broth is the star. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and light enough that you keep going back for more dips until the bowl is empty. Refreshing without feeling like diet food.
On Sugakiya’s Reputation
Sugakiya is a beloved Nagoya chain, and their packaged products are known for coming impressively close to the restaurant experience. If this zaru ramen follows that tradition — and based on this bowl, it does — it’s a solid pick for anyone who wants that familiar taste at home.
The Verdict
On a hot summer day when you’ve been on your feet all morning, Sugakiya’s Zaru Ramen delivers exactly what you need. Cool, quick, satisfying. Toppings optional — laziness fully permitted.
