Yarumen

«Yarumen» on Nevsky Prospekt is part of the Japanese ramen chain «Menya Masamune». Above the open kitchen hang the family crests of the samurai Date Masamune, and the restaurant itself came about as a gesture of gratitude to St. Petersburg for its support of Japan after the 2011 earthquake. One of the chain's owners, Tanno-san, personally oversaw how the ramen is prepared and how guests are greeted — the entire staff welcomes and sees off visitors in unison, in Japanese. The key ingredients for the ramen are brought directly from Japan: noodles, seaweed, spices, sauces, young menma bamboo shoots, and even the broth, which is cooked on the island of Kyushu and delivered in sealed bags. Only vegetables, eggs, and meat are sourced in Russia, with the meat smoked locally in St. Petersburg. The kitchen is run by Yamamoto-san, a chef who worked at the restaurant "Sakura" from 1997 to 2003 and came from Japan specifically for the opening of «Yarumen». Besides ramen, the menu includes Japanese pork curry, donburi, edamame, tako-kara (battered octopus), and karaage made from chicken thighs. For dessert, there's kohi-zelly — coffee jelly with whipped cream — and green matcha-based ice cream. As for drinks, «Yarumen» offers beer, Japanese green tea, coffee, and juices. The average check is 1,350 rubles, and the easiest way to get here is from Admiralteyskaya metro station.