Last Christmas, I went skiing in Japan. Near the ski resort, there were lots of different types of food — Korean BBQ, French pastries, and Thai curry. But the one that left the strongest impression was a small ramen shop run by an elderly man.

What made it unusual was that all the ramen used instant noodles as the base. At first, I thought it was a bit strange, especially since one bowl cost around 80 RMB. But after trying it, I understood why people lined up for it.

Each bowl was made individually. The broth wasn’t just from a packet. The owner mixed his own seasoning and added real chicken stock. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen. It came steaming hot, topped with slices of wagyu beef （grilled on the spot） and sprinkled with real edible gold leaf.

It was a simple bowl of ramen, but made with real effort and care. Even though it wasn’t fancy or traditional, the balance between basic ingredients and high-quality toppings made it special. It was probably the most unexpected ramen I’ve ever had, not what I imagined before the trip, but definitely something I’ll remember.

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