Dogenzaka Mammoth / 道玄坂マンモス - Shibuya

Dogenzaka Mammoth is a tsukemen style ramen specialty shop just 5 minutes from Shibuya station, up on the famous “Love Hotel Hill” called Dogenzaka. Dogenzaka Mammoth serves a thick style of tonkotsu-gyokai tsukemen, although they also have regular ramen on the menu, which uses the same base broth, but thinned out with dashi.

*Menu on vending machine at Dogenzaka Mammoth in Shibuya.*

Nobody really comes here for the ramen though, so maybe stick to the tsukemen for your first visit. They also offer a spicy version, which isn’t overly spicy, but has a nice kick to it.

*Thick and meaty soup of the tsukemen at Dogenzaka Mammoth in Shibuya.*

The soup for the dipping noodles is quite interesting. It uses a very thick tonkotsu pork bone broth as base, which is further thickened up with dried seafood elements. It also seems like some meat is blended into the soup, as you can clearly identify meat fibers in the soup. Overall, the soup is quite hearty and savory with an almost goulash like consistency.

*Tsukemen noodles with clearly visible wheat specks at Dogenzaka Mammoth in Shibuya.*

For the noodles, Dogenzaka Mammoth offers the choice between two different styles of noodles. From what I understand, one is a regular wheat noodle and the other one uses whole wheat flour. Topping wise, you’re getting very tender classic pork chashu and some crunchy menma.

*The main attraction at Dogenzaka Mammoth: Noukou Tsukemen (濃厚つけ麺)*

Overall, I think Dogenzaka Mammoth is probably a bit underrated for what it offers and it’s definitely one of the ramen shops in Shibuya with more character. Shibuya is mainly dominated by ramen chains, so every shop that isn’t a chain is appreciated. For thick tsukemen, Dogenzaka Mammoth (道玄坂マンモス) is one of the best shops in Shibuya besides Nukaji.