Kagetsu Arashi's Limited Edition Black Monster is back! A heavy-flavored ramen featuring black miso, garlic, and pork back fat. On sale in Japan starting April 8th.

When it comes to Japanese ramen chain restaurants, many travelers might first think of Hakata tonkotsu, Iekei, or affordable brands commonly found near train stations. However, if you're looking for an established chain that has been operating in Japan for over 30 years and is particularly skilled at launching buzzworthy limited-edition flavors, Kagetsu Arashi (らあめん花月嵐) is definitely a name you can't overlook. Starting April 8, 2026, the "Arashi Genkotsu Ramen BLACK MONSTER (嵐げんこつラーメン BLACK MONSTER)," which left a deep impression on many lovers of rich flavors, will make its return. This rich ramen, composed of black miso, garlic, and a generous amount of back fat, will be available for a limited time at all Kagetsu Arashi stores nationwide.

Hana-Arashi is a brand that specializes in ramen.

Kagetsu Arashi is a chain ramen brand with a long history in Japan. Its official website explicitly states that the brand has been honing its product development capabilities for over 30 years and is renowned for its classic ramen offerings supplemented by numerous limited-time promotions. For many Japanese ramen enthusiasts, Kagetsu Arashi's appeal lies not just in its fixed menu, but in the fact that it introduces new flavors with different themes at almost regular intervals, making the question "Which bowl should I eat today?" a source of enjoyment in itself.

This re-emerging BLACK MONSTER is one of the representative works in this limited-edition culture. The official homepage and product page both use "Black Miso x Garlic x Pork Fat, the Black Monster Returns" as their main slogan, clearly indicating the ramen's positioning, targeting those who enjoy rich, heavy, and impactful ramen.

BLACK MONSTER Returns, focusing on black miso, garlic, and pork back fat

The core characteristic of this bowl of "Aran Kenkotsu Ramen BLACK MONSTER" is the layering of three bold elements: black miso, garlic, and pork back fat. It's not a typical mild miso ramen; instead, from the very first bite, you'll distinctly feel its richness and presence. The official description states that this product is part of Aran Kenkotsu Ramen's popular "Monster Series" project. It's been about 7 years since its last appearance, so for regular customers, this return also carries the meaning of a classic revival.

The biggest impact is "200% pork back fat."

The official statement particularly emphasizes that BLACK MONSTER uses twice the amount of pork back fat compared to regular "ramen." This means that the richness of this bowl of ramen is not an abstract description but is directly built upon a clearly increased amount of fatty structure. For those who enjoy back fat-style ramen, the charm of this approach lies in how the broth becomes thicker and more coating, delivering an immediate impact of "heavy, yet satisfying" upon tasting.

Not just rich, it also incorporates blackbean vegetables and raw garlic for layers of flavor.

If it were just back fat, this bowl of noodles might become too monotonous, but BLACK MONSTER doesn't simply increase the amount of grease. The official description states that this bowl of noodles also includes chopped raw garlic, and cabbage and bean sprouts seasoned with a black sauce. One of these elements is responsible for the pungent spiciness, while the other adds a crisp texture from the vegetables, effectively creating a distinct cut within the rich soup base, preventing the entire bowl from being solely about the greasiness.

For Taiwanese travelers, this setup is actually quite easy to understand. This is because truly delicious, rich-flavored ramen isn't simply about being as intense as possible; it's about maintaining a sense of rhythm amidst that thickness. BLACK MONSTER's design direction seems to aim for both "richness" and "excitement" simultaneously, preventing diners from getting tired of it even towards the end. This is a reasonable judgment based on the official ingredient composition.

The black miso broth made with three kinds of miso is the soul of this ramen.

In addition to pork back fat and garlic, the official description also clearly defines the soup base: this is not an ordinary black miso ramen, but a special black miso soup base made from a blend of three types of miso. This means BLACK MONSTER doesn't rely solely on its "black" visual appeal for hype. Instead, it uses the complex layers of miso to bring out both richness and depth. This approach also differentiates it from typical single-miso ramen.

The special thick noodles are responsible for holding up the entire broth.

Underneath this heavy soup base, thin noodles wouldn't stand a chance. The official description clearly states that BLACK MONSTER uses specially made thick noodles that are elastic and chewy, designed to firmly hold onto the rich soup and back fat. This choice of thick noodles is sensible because thinner noodles would easily get overwhelmed by the broth. For those who enjoy large bites of noodles and want to feel their presence, this is a definite plus.

Price and Sales Information

According to the official product page of Kagetsu Arashi, the "Aran Tonkotsu Ramen BLACK MONSTER" will be available as a limited-time product starting April 8, 2026, with a price of 990 yen (tax included) per bowl. The official homepage also lists it as one of the featured limited-time products for the current period. For tourists, this price range is still relatively accessible among Japanese chain ramen brands, and it's not excessively high just because it's a limited-time offer.

Who would you recommend this to?

If you prefer clear broths, salt-based broths, or don't typically eat ramen with heavy garlic and oil, then BLACK MONSTER might not be the safest first choice. However, if you already enjoy miso ramen, garlic ramen, or back fat-based ramen, or if you're looking for a limited-edition dish with a "strong presence" during your travels, then this ramen is worth a try. Its appeal lies in its very distinct style; not everyone will like it, but those who do tend to find it incredibly satisfying. This assessment is based on the product's composition.

Product Information

Product Name: Arashi Genkotsu Ramen BLACK MONSTER
Sales start date: April 8, 2026
Sales type: Limited-time offer
Price: 990 JPY (tax included)
Product pagehttps://www.kagetsu.co.jp/menu/newitem-242/
Official Website:https://www.kagetsu.co.jp/

Conclusion

For those who want to eat more than just "safe bet" chain ramen in Japan, Kagetsu Arashi's returning BLACK MONSTER is quite representative. It combines black miso, double back fat, raw garlic, and thick noodles to create a strongly flavored limited-edition ramen that is quite distinct in both concept and taste. If you happen to visit Japan in the spring of 2026 and already prefer rich, hearty ramen, this Black Monster is worth adding to your list.