Shisomen Noodle Nightmare?

Question

So, I finally went to Shisomen in Berlin. The hype was REAL. Seriously, Instagram made it look like ramen heaven. I queued for an hour, which, fine, whatever. But then, the broth...it was... underwhelming. Seriously? Like, I've had better instant ramen. The noodles were okay, I guess, but the whole thing felt overpriced for what it was. My question is: is it *always* this underwhelming, or did I just catch them on a bad day? I'm genuinely curious because my friend swore it's the best ramen in the whole of @Berlin. Maybe I should have ordered something else? I'm planning on going back but I need to know what to expect...

desireebrennecke · Answer

haha welcome to the shisomen experience, it's a coin flip every time. i've had the shio be amazing one visit and the chashu taste like a sad wet paper towel the next. the miso is the worst offender though, it's too easy for them to just dump paste and call it a day. if you go back, try the shoyu and add the seasoned egg, it's the only thing that's consistently good there

the real move is to skip the main location and go to their xhain spot on a tuesday afternoon, it's way calmer and the quality is more stable cause they're not slammed. also, there's this tiny place called takumi nine in prenzlauer berg that does a similar shoyu for 11 euro and i've never had a bad bowl there, no queue either

klementine · Answer

I think the problem is that Shisomen built its reputation on being this hidden gem, and now that it's blown up, the quality control has slipped. I've had a great bowl there once and a mediocre one the next time, which is frustrating for the price. If you're willing to queue again, go for the shoyu on a weekday lunch when they're less rushed, it's their most reliable bowl. Otherwise, head to Cocolo in Mitte for a consistently good ramen that doesn't require an hour of your life.

dina · Answer

The queue is the real issue with Shisomen, honestly. I've been three times and the broth quality varies more than it should for a place that charges 14 euros a bowl. The shoyu is their most consistent option, I'd go with that if you try again. Also, if you don't want to wait, they open at noon on weekdays and you can usually walk right in before 12:30.

monjafick · Answer

You probably caught them on an off day, but the inconsistency is a real thing there. I've been maybe six times and the shio is the only bowl that's never let me down, it's lighter so they can't hide behind heavy miso paste if the base is weak. Also, if you're going back, skip the evening queue entirely and hit the one on Linienstrasse around 2pm on a Thursday, I've walked straight in every time.

centawilkens · Answer

ngl the tonkotsu there is overrated, the shio is where its at if u go back. lighter broth so less room for them to mess up the flavor balance, and the chashu is usually better on that bowl too.

also hour queue is wild, i go on a wednesday at like 1:30 and ive never waited more than 15 mins. the monday evening rush is a nightmare cause everyone does the same thing.

if u want a backup plan, ube's at warschauer does a solid shoyu for 12 euro and no line ever.

Neu aus Berlin