Monday, January 7, 2013

ももちゃんラーメン (Momochan in Tottori)

ももちゃんラーメン

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Tottori Prefecture is not a major ramen destination. The area is famed for the crabs and for the pears. But this is Japan; there has to be a local ramen style!



The locals (cops and taxi drivers are the people to ask) all pointed to Momochan. It turns out that there is in fact a Tottori-kei ramen; made with beef. Beef soup and beef toppings. The area has a rich wagyu history, though in recent years no one really associates Tottori with choice steaks. Maybe this ramen is a nostalgic reminder of bygone days, and the locals come here after a night of drinking to reminisce about their farming days.

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Maybe not. Judging by the list of celebrities (very respectable for somewhere this far from Tokyo), this must be the most popular ramen for miles.

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Completely satisfying for a non-Tokyo bowl. What do I mean by such an elitist comment? In Tokyo, niche ramen like this one made with gyu-kotsu is taken to a massively gourmet level. Shops like Matador are simply amazing.

The locals, mind you this is at about one in the morning, obviously thought I wouldn't understand their snickers and amazement at the giant foreigner eating ramen of all things in their town. But eat I did. And since this spot is open late, you should too.

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鳥取県鳥取市弥生町351
Tottori-ken, Tottori-shi, Yayoicho 351
Closest station: Tottori

Open 12:00-14:00, 19:00-2:00am
Saturdays 19:00-2:00am
Closed Sundays

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

There was an ostensibly Tottori style bowl in Baba before, might be gone now, that I went to once:

http://www.ramenate.com/2009/08/dogen.html

I don't think it purported to be actual 'Tottori-kei' just used ingredients from there. Pretty decent though.

-Nate

Ramen Adventures said...

I really miss your blog, Nate. I remember Dogen. They were hot during the "beef boom" a few years back.