Thursday, March 12, 2015

麬にかけろ (Fusuma Ni Kakeru in Osaka)

麬にかけろ 中崎壱丁 中崎商店會1-6-18号ラーメン

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Fusumanikakeru? All I can gather is that it means hanging wheat bran. It doesn't matter though, this is a Ramen Adventure, and the ramen at this spot was legit.

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Fusuma is related to Strike-ken, and both have some similarities. Namely, the use of clams to add a lot of umami to their bowls.

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As with most menus, the upper-left button gets you the shop special. In this case, shio. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm not a super big fan of shio ramen. Simple, yes, but the shoyu is always better. Just-salt ramen tends to pale in comparison with most bowls of homemade American chicken soup. But, when in Osaka, do what the locals tell you.

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The first sip, mother's chicken soup. Fine and all, but a flavor I've tasted in hundreds of other ramen shops.

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Then it hits you. Some kind of new flavor. The taste was rustic and powerful and deep. They say that the 5th taste, umami, was first officially recognized in 1985. The scientists behind that study must have eaten this bowl. Instantly one of the best bowls of shio ramen that I've ever had.

Adding a drizzle of the homemade shrimp oil on the counter just makes it even better.

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There was also a limited bowl, with mozzarella cheese and a bunch of other stuff going on. Save that for your second time.

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I was also informed that, on Mondays, they do a limited super-thick shrimp paitan that is even better than the bowl that had just knocked me on my ass.

Amazing.

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Map of 大阪府大阪市北区中崎1丁目6-18

大阪府大阪市北区中崎1丁目6-18
Osaka-shi, Kita-ku, Nakazaki 1-6-18
Closest station: Nakazakicho

Open 11:30-14:30, 18:45-23:00
Weekends 11:30-15:00
Friday and Saturday 18:45-24:00