Exploring Takibi Ramen
Located in Snow Peak’s US headquarters, our restaurant Takibi brings our gathering values to the dining room, giving friends a place to reconnect over a meal of quintessential Japanese dishes, each infused with the care, craft and quality that’s representative of the brand’s ethos. In fall of 2024, Takibi expanded its offerings to include ramen, which is made in a specially outfitted cart that functions as an extension of the restaurant’s main kitchen.
The program’s recipes come directly from Michelin Bib-Gourmand awarded Menya Sakamoto 01 of Tokyo’s Oji district. Since its opening, Takibi has remained committed to using local and all-natural ingredients, and its ramen menu is no different. Rich and silky broths combine with carefully selected ingredients and snow-aged noodles, offering a culinary experience that’s rooted in the traditions of Snow Peak’s home prefecture of Niigata.
Snow Aging Process
The noodles used in Takibi’s ramen are made using a special snow-aged flour. Known as "Yukimuro,” the traditional snow-aging method uses natural snow as a refrigerator to enhance the sweetness and flavor of the wheat. The ancient technique originated in Niigata, and we believe it is our responsibility to preserve these traditional methods and pass them on to future generations. Snow-aged wheat offers a variety of benefits including:
Superior Freshness and Lasting Preservation. The process maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year and offers a low-temperature, high-humidity environment, which enhances the freshness of the agricultural products.
Flavor Transformation Through Optimal Aging. Yukimuro storage avoids frequent exposure to light and temperature fluctuations caused by opening and closing doors, resulting in a stress-free environment for optimal aging. For grains like wheat, the cold triggers a "saccharification process," where starches are converted into sugars as a self-protection mechanism against freezing, resulting in sweeter agricultural products.
Eco-Friendly Snow Energy. The electricity-free Yukimuro storage is gaining attention from an ecological and carbon offset perspective. One ton of snow generates the same energy as 10 liters of oil, equivalent to reducing approximately 30 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions.
We’re proud to offer snow-aged wheat noodles in all of our ramen dishes and hope you can enjoy their unique flavor during your next visit to Takibi.
What’s On the Menu
The ramen menu currently features three options: Shoyu, Tori Shio and Vegan Tonkotsu, each with a distinct broth and memorable flavor. Each one features straight, snow-aged noodles crafted from whole wheat flour, with an enhanced umami flavor.
Takibi’s Shoyu Ramen broth is made with the essence of extracted chicken bones and aromatic vegetables. This base is combined with a double-brewed matured soy sauce and beef fat, offering a full rich flavor. Finely chopped onions and the earthy flavor of sansho pepper enhance the taste, complementing the aroma and firm texture of the snow-aged wheat. The Oregonian named the Shoyu Ramen one of their top 10 best bites of 2024, a nod to its distinct and delicious flavor.
Similarly, the Tori Shio also has a chicken bone and vegetable-based broth but is combined with a matured blend of salted soy sauce and chicken oil, for a light yet rich soup with deep flavors. Black pepper offers a sharp accent, tying everything together and highlighting the aroma and firm texture of the snow-aged wheat.
Our vegetarian and vegan friends will enjoy the full flavors of the Vegan Tonkotsu, featuring a broth made from locally-sourced aromatic vegetables, that are balanced with soy milk, soy protein, and plant-based oils. This combination has the same enticing aroma and rich flavor of traditional pork bone broth, without using any animal products. Black pepper and sansho pepper add a sharp accent, bringing balance to the dish while enhancing the aroma and firm texture of the snow-aged wheat.
Takibi’s ramen was recognized by The Oregonian as one of the Top Ramen Restaurants in Portland. We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to experience our ramen, other lunch dishes and dinner menu. Takibi also offers a set Omakase menu, with a five and seven course option. Learn more or make a reservation. Stay updated on special events, seasonal menu updates and delicious new dishes by following Takibi on Instagram at @takibi_pdx.
