Legendary Umami Shangri La

09/03/2024

“Shangri-La” with a good sound, ideal taste

Established in 2013 , Shangri La is Phnom Penh’s first authentic Asahikawa ramen specialty restaurant.The name of the restaurant may be a reference to the utopia of taste. Once upon a time, people in Western Europe compared the Orient to the cradle of civilization as the place where the sun rose, but in the Age of Exploration, when rough men set out on the seas, the coveted destination was El Dorado (the land of gold) . It is a time when ambition and conquest have become one. Eventually, in the early 20th century, people tired of the competitive society of Western Europe dreamed of a utopian Shangria deep in the Himalayas. It is full of oriental healing and calm. In this case, it would be Togenkyo , which has long been considered a utopia in China , and in Japan , it has been a hidden village at the edge of a waterfront or upstream since ancient times . Only the chosen ones could reach such a utopia. The owner probably chose the sonorous name Shangri-La to reflect his long-awaited commitment to umami.

Chinese ramen competes for its individuality due to the unique flavor that each name suggests, but ramen is already Japan’s “ramen” . Japan’s “ramen” is the original flavor that comes from the melding of various umami flavors, giving it a regional flavor and creating unique noodles with a regional flavor. Asahikawa Ramen is one of them, with chewy and slightly curly noodles, not thin noodles that slip in easily, but medium-thin noodles soaked in umami, and a well-balanced soup stock that allows the umami to permeate down your throat. If you live in Phnom Penh, Shangri-La is a Japanese ramen restaurant that has become legendary.

Asahikawa ramen with double soup made with carefully selected pork bones and seafood! Tsukemen is also recommended.

The soup and noodles are custom-made curly medium-thin noodles that originated in Asahikawa, and the soup has the flavor that oozes from the pork bones and seafood. brings out the outstanding taste. The price is just under $6 (about 600 yen), which is surprising.

Tsukemen miso soup stock and gyoza are enough for lunch.

If you want a refreshing taste, we also recommend Tsukemen, and it’s great that you can choose from three types of dipping sauces, including soy sauce and miso, depending on your physical condition and mood. It’s good for filling your lunch, or you can finish it off with ramen on the way home from a drinking party. The unique medium-thin noodles are surprisingly filling.

A wide variety of a la carte dishes and toppings

Extensive menu too

I love heartwarming dishes like this.

Besides, you can leave out the ramen, but there are many types of a la carte dishes and toppings that are perfect for a drinking party with friends, as well as a variety of famous Japanese liquors, including beer, shochu high, on the rocks, and more. There are snacks to enjoy at a drinking party, such as poking at some of the dishes on small plates. “Shangri-La” does not disappoint in this respect either. The prices are reasonable, and both drinking and eating have their own joys. It’s also warm for solo customers who drop by. I’m glad there are counter seats.

Shangria location

As of 2021, Shangri-La has the first store and the second building store. Both restaurants look modest at first glance, but the inside is spacious and deep, just like the flavor of the ramen. The two stores are located in the city center of Phnom Penh, in the business district and downtown area. It’s close enough to fill your lunch break, and it’s a casual place to invite someone to stop by, and it’s also perfect for solo customers who are just casually stopping by while taking a walk.

　It is located across from Hotel Cambodiana, the first Shangri-La store .