OTSUKA: Men-Tatsu Ramen... friendly grandma - soothing broth

Ramen friend of mine who goes near and far in search for great spots invited me to check out Ramen Men-Tatsu for their light shoyu or shio ramen.

Voted one of the best ramen spots in 2012 by Tabelog... and this place is fairly highly ranked too.

http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1323/A132302/13040552/

Only 9 counter seats.

The friendly friendly grandma... all smiles.

I normally goto Ramen shops with a ordering machine so I know to go for the top left hand corner button but had to ask my friend how to spot the shop recommended item for this type of menu... he said go for the very far right item which was Shio Ramen 630yen.

The Ramen chef was a bit scary... no smiles and perhaps the son or grandchild of the grandma.

And my Shio Ramen arrived!

The soup was light but had a great flavorness to it... hard to explain but it just had a kind taste.  Oh, the pieces of Charsiu were soooo melty soft.  Delicious

Thin noodles had a nice slightly chewy texture.  Oh the bamboo shoots were thinly sliced and very tender compared to most spots that offer larger crunchy chunks that I normally don't eat.

My friends Shoyu Ramen 580yen.  He really raved about this one and mentioned the 580yen price point was simply stunning for how great this dish was.

Grandma's little seat in the corner.

Overall a very simple ramen with a very light rich flavor and how can you not support a little old friendly lady.  I'll definitely be back for the Shoyu ramen!

Shop: Ramen Men-Tatsu

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1323/A132302/13040552/

Address J: 東京都豊島区西巣鴨1-4-4

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Sugamo 1-4-4
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HOYA: Inoshow Ramen... RED RED HOT!

My ramen King friend Kenta was craving Inoshows spicy red ramen... seems the small franchise is known for this particular special.

The different types of Spicy ramen... they also serve regular ramen or tsukemen.

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2012/11/hoya-inoshow-ramen-11212012-grand.html

3 different spice levels: Normal, less spicy and less less spicy.  Ordered the less spicy for myself. 

Kenta went for the Spicy and he was hurting but there seems to be an addictive quality to this soup.  

The noodles were flat and on the very al'dente side.  Not quite what I prefer but very filling.  Char-siu pork a bit on the dry side.

Free water and extra spice!

Very fashionable interior for a Ramen shop

I didn't dare try to drink any of my soup... perhaps next time.

Seasonable white soup ramen.

After being spoiled by the massive 650yen quantities at Ramen Dai and Ramen Jiro its hard to justify paying 850yen for a normal ramen.   If you like spicy then it might be a nice option for you... clean environment and attentive staff.  

Shop: Inoshow Ramen

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1328/A132801/13149754/

Address J: 東京都西東京市東町3-14-5 エミオ保谷 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Nishi Tokyo Shi, Higashi Machi 3-14-5, EMIO Hoya 1F
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EKODA: Nanten for 600yen Special "Gyu-Kotsu Ramen" beef bone soup base.

Was craving some 650yen monstrous Ramen Jiro but closed on Sundays... so my walk took me all the way to Ekoda on a hunt for a new ramen shop and well... this 600yen "Gyu (beef) Kotsu (bones)" ramen stopped me in my tracks.  Plus the threw in an flavored egg too.  I gotta say I've always been curious about the surfing pig painting.

Different Ramen selections.

The Chef must really really like Reggae... playing the whole time on BGM.

Only 1 guy on deck on a slow Sunday night.  The seating is sandwiched between the kitchen and entrance and I just felt this stare the whole time during my ramen.

Toppings

I can say its a pretty ramen but the small bowl really did throw me off.  There was quite a bit in there.

There's a western familiarity to the broth... reminded me of American soup... quite possibly french onion soup but more like Consommé Soup .  Flavor lingered for a while thinking there was an added dose of MSG to the mix.  

Noodles were very al'dente and quite thick... lacked the chewiness that I'm nuts about.

The initial impression was not too bad but as I got half way the saltiness (MSG?) just got me unusually thirsty.  First time ever to have Beef Broth ramen vs Tonkotsu (Pork) or Seafood based broth.  I probably won't ever go back here but with a University facing the shop there is always a nice crowd inside.  Service was friendly but he does like to stare.

Walked past Nanten on 4/11/2013 and the exterior was cluttered with random menu items.  I think this place may have changed owners... hmm....

Restaurant: Nanten

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13111919/

Address J: 東京都練馬区栄町10-3

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Sakaecho 10-3
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