A guide to the drinks menu at Men-Eiji Ramen
A bowl of ramen can be a complete meal, but the drink beside it changes how the meal feels. At MEN-EIJI RAMEN in Sapporo, the rich gyokai-tonkotsu style combines seafood depth with the body of pork-bone broth, creating flavors that deserve a considered pairing rather than an afterthought.
The restaurant brand is represented by MEN-EIJI Hiragishi BASE and Duck Ramen EIJI, two Sapporo locations with their own menus and service details. Drink availability may vary by branch, season, and current menu listing, so it is sensible to check the relevant restaurant page before visiting.
A useful way to approach the drinks menu is to think about balance. Salty tare, aromatic seafood, rich fats, roasted toppings, and springy noodles can all influence what works in the glass. Some diners will want refreshment, while others may prefer a drink that extends the savory character of the broth.
Start with the broth’s character
Gyokai-tonkotsu ramen has two major flavor foundations. Pork bones contribute richness, roundness, and a lingering mouthfeel, while seafood adds umami, salinity, and a more fragrant finish. The result can be powerful without being heavy in exactly the same way as a purely pork-based broth.
That combination makes a crisp drink particularly useful. Effervescence can lift the palate after each mouthful, while a clean, lightly chilled drink can make the next spoonful of soup taste more defined. When choosing from the drinks list, look for something that refreshes between bites instead of competing with the broth’s aroma.
The toppings matter as well. Chashu, seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, green onions, seaweed, and menma each bring different textures and levels of salt. A drink that seems ideal with the broth alone may feel different once the bowl includes fatty pork or a strongly seasoned garnish.
Beer is a natural ramen companion
Beer is often the easiest choice with ramen because its carbonation and gentle bitterness cut through oil and salt. A light lager or similarly crisp style can reset the palate without adding another dominant flavor to an already layered bowl. This is especially helpful when the broth is served hot and richly seasoned.
If the current drinks menu includes more than one beer style, the lighter option is generally the most versatile. It should complement seafood notes rather than mask them. A fuller or more strongly hopped beer may appeal to guests who enjoy contrast, but its bitterness can become prominent beside delicate seafood aromas.
Serving temperature also affects the pairing. A very cold beer emphasizes refreshment, while a slightly less chilled beer can reveal more malt and grain character. Either approach can work, although a quick ramen meal often favors a bright, uncomplicated pour that keeps the meal moving.
For diners sharing side dishes, beer can be even more practical. Fried items, grilled meat, or salty snacks tend to benefit from bubbles. If the meal is focused entirely on one bowl, however, a smaller serving may be enough because the ramen itself already provides substantial flavor and warmth.
Sake brings out the seafood notes
Sake offers a different direction from beer. Rather than cleansing the palate through bitterness and carbonation, it can echo the savory, fermented, and umami-rich qualities found in seafood-based ramen. A chilled, clean sake may suit diners who want the drink to sit more quietly beside the bowl.
The best choice depends on the broth and the serving temperature. A fragrant sake can highlight the marine character of gyokai stock, while a fuller junmai-style profile may stand up to pork, roasted ingredients, and a stronger tare. If the menu lists only one sake, staff can usually explain whether it is intended to be served chilled or warm.
Sake also rewards slower drinking. Ramen is often eaten promptly while the noodles have their preferred texture, but the drink can be enjoyed between spoonfuls. Take a sip after tasting the broth, then again after a bite of chashu or seaweed. The comparison shows whether the sake is emphasizing freshness, sweetness, dryness, or umami.
Visitors interested in Japanese food culture beyond a single bowl can browse 81 Plus as another point of reference while exploring regional dining and beverage traditions. The most important consideration at MEN-EIJI, though, remains the relationship between the selected drink and the particular ramen ordered.
Highballs and other refreshing choices
A highball-style drink, where available, can be a strong match for rich ramen. Its dilution and sparkling texture make it refreshing, while the spirit base adds a dry edge that can contrast with pork-bone richness. Citrus accents can be especially effective with seafood-forward broth, as acidity gives the palate a sharper reset.
This type of pairing works well for guests who find beer too filling or sake too soft alongside a substantial bowl. The key is restraint. Strong sweetness can make the broth seem saltier, and a heavily flavored mixer may cover the aroma of seafood stock. A dry, lightly citrus-led option is usually more adaptable.
Non-alcoholic drinks deserve equal attention. Water is essential for tasting the broth clearly and is often the best choice for diners who want no flavor interference. Tea, soda, or another soft drink may add contrast, but sweetness should be considered carefully because it can linger over the savory finish.
For a group with different preferences, ordering one alcoholic drink and one neutral beverage can make the meal more comfortable. It also allows diners to compare the same ramen with contrasting palate effects without ordering several full drinks.
Choosing drinks at each Sapporo location
MEN-EIJI Hiragishi BASE and Duck Ramen EIJI are distinct destinations within the MEN-EIJI RAMEN brand. Their food offerings and service environments may differ, and drinks can be affected by location-specific menus, stock, or operating hours. Checking the official menu link for the chosen branch is the most reliable way to confirm what is currently served.
The following guide describes pairing roles rather than promising a fixed selection. Menus change, and a restaurant may offer a limited number of beverages on a particular day.
| Drink style | Best pairing role | What it adds | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisp beer | Cuts through richness | Bubbles and gentle bitterness | With fatty chashu or a full-bodied bowl |
| Chilled sake | Extends umami | Soft texture and savory harmony | With seafood-forward broth and lighter toppings |
| Dry highball | Refreshes with contrast | Sparkle, dryness, and possible citrus | When the ramen feels rich or salty |
| Water | Preserves clarity | No competing flavor | For tasting the broth in detail |
| Tea or soft drink | Offers a non-alcoholic alternative | Clean, sweet, or aromatic contrast | For a relaxed meal without alcohol |
Use the table as a starting point, then adjust for personal taste. Someone who loves bitter drinks may prefer beer even with a delicate bowl, while a guest who avoids carbonation may enjoy sake or tea with the same order.
Match the drink to the ramen order
A lighter ramen preparation generally gives you more freedom. Clearer seafood notes, restrained seasoning, or a bowl with fresh green onions can pair well with chilled sake, water, tea, or a delicate beer. These choices preserve the subtle details that can disappear under an assertive drink.
Richer ramen calls for a more active counterpoint. A crisp lager, sparkling highball, or plain water can prevent the palate from becoming coated by broth and pork fat. If the bowl includes extra chashu, butter, or another substantial topping, refreshing drinks become increasingly valuable.
Spice and acidity change the calculation. If a bowl or side dish brings heat, a very bitter beer may intensify the sensation, while a sweet soft drink can make it feel broader and heavier. A clean, cold beverage usually provides better relief, though diners accustomed to spicy food may enjoy stronger contrast.
Think about pace as well. Noodles are best enjoyed while their texture is at its peak, so a drink should support the meal rather than distract from it. Order the first beverage before the ramen arrives, taste the broth on its own, and then decide whether the initial pairing is working before ordering another.
Practical ordering tips for a better pairing
MEN-EIJI RAMEN is known for a focused ramen experience, and the drink choice should remain simple enough to keep attention on the bowl. You do not need a complicated tasting plan. One well-matched drink can provide all the contrast or harmony the meal needs.
Use these recommendations when reading the current drinks list:
- Choose a crisp, carbonated drink when the broth feels especially rich or oily.
- Select chilled sake when you want to emphasize seafood umami and fermented depth.
- Pick water or tea when tasting the soup’s details is more important than contrast.
- Ask staff about serving temperature, sweetness, and the best match for your specific ramen.
- Check the selected Sapporo location’s current menu and opening information before setting out.
The restaurant’s broader story can also shape the experience. Founder Jun Furukawa’s career, international pop-ups, collaborations, awards, and Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition place MEN-EIJI within a wider conversation about modern ramen. A thoughtfully chosen drink gives that culinary work room to show its detail instead of flattening every flavor into salt, fat, and heat.
Whether you visit MEN-EIJI Hiragishi BASE or Duck Ramen EIJI, begin with the broth, consider the toppings, and let the drink serve the bowl. Check the current branch menu, choose the pairing that suits your appetite, and make your next Sapporo ramen visit a complete food-and-drink experience.