Ramen Oyster and Shell: Rich Oyster Ramen by Tsukiji Market
Ramen Oyster and Shell (らぁ麺 牡蠣と貝, Kaki to Kai) is the Tsukiji oyster ramen shop I'd point anyone to who's wandering the outer market and wants something other than another round of sushi.
Oyster ramen is harder to come by in Tokyo than you'd expect. You've got the likes of Mukan and Menya Saichi (both amazing). After my bowl here, I'd put Ramen Oyster and Shell right up there with the best of them.
Ramen Oyster and Shell - From the Kamo to Negi Team
Oyster and Shell comes from the same company behind Kamo to Negi, the duck-and-spring onion ramen shop that has spread to branches all over Tokyo. The original Kamo to Negi between Ueno and Okachimachi now pulls some of the longest, most tourist-heavy lines in the city.
You'd expect the same story here, since Tsukiji is about as touristy as Tokyo gets. That hasn't been my experience. You get a seriously high-quality bowl without the marathon wait, and the shop opens early in the morning, which makes it easy to slot in before or after a lap of the outer market. The seafood focus also just makes sense for the neighborhood.
If you've been to Kamo to Negi, the room will look familiar. There's the same tatami mat woven into the counter top, the same clean, Japanese-modern look, and a single counter of 14 seats.
The Rich Oyster Ramen
True to the name, the menu splits two ways. The lighter option is a shellfish ramen built on clams and scallops and seasoned with salt. The other is the rich oyster ramen (nōkō kaki ramen), made mostly with oysters from Hiroshima, which in my book is the best place for oysters in Japan. I went with the oyster.
The soup delivers a big, rounded oyster flavor that tastes like the real thing rather than a hint of it. A bit of lemon gives it a bright accent and keeps all that richness from getting heavy. The noodles are on the thicker side, which is the right call for a soup with this much body, and you get an actual oyster sitting in the bowl too.
What to Order
I ordered mine with the full spread of toppings, and honestly, outside of the oyster, they're fine but nothing you'll miss. The same goes for the side dish of oyster rice. It's okay, but not a must. Just get the regular rich oyster ramen and you're set.
For oyster ramen in Tokyo, Oyster and Shell is one of the best bowls going, and it's a much easier get than most of the big names. If you're anywhere near Tsukiji, it's worth working into the day.
