Nagaoka is known for having many options for delicious
Ramen. It is no surprise then that there are fifteen different restaurants to
choose from when it comes to collecting Ramen Rally stamps. The real challenge
is deciding which shop to visit. Having already eaten at two participating
shops, we only had thirteen to choose from for Nagaoka: Round Two. Craving
something a little spicier, Husband was intrigued by a bowl that was pictured
on a page in the magazine that boasted spicy Ramen varieties. While it is handy having the
map of each town with the shops already pinned for one’s convenience, the
detail is not the greatest and sometimes it can take a few swings around the
block before finding the right place. We drove past a large shopping area twice
before finally realizing we were behind the establishment we sought.
武者気 (Muja-ki) Matsuno had a picture of an amazing tsukemen
on the wall which got Husband really excited, but when he tried to order it the
restaurant was out. Back to plan A then,
a spicy bowl of tantan-men. The bowl
that came to the table was relatively large and bright red. The soup was also a beautiful red color which
definitely hinted towards the flavor of spicy chili oil and sesame paste. Average size noodles with a soft texture lay
below the surface in a tangled mess.
Pouring the red broth over the noodles coated them, dying each strand
pale orange.
A hefty amount of cabbage
and bean sprouts also hid in the depths, as well as dark strands of seaweed. On top of the steamy liquid was a pile of
crumbled ground pork and a generous amount of chopped green onion. The flavor was decent, nothing outstanding,
but certainly enjoyable. Like most of
the “spicy” dishes in Japan Husband rated this one at an American low medium,
hot enough to give you a little sweat on your brow, but not enough to cause you
to run for the water pitcher. This bowl
was good for the experience, though I don’t think it will be a repeat order.
Unfortunately, Husband has felt a little let down with his
attempts at spicy Ramen. He loves to feel the burn and in the States it is easy
for the spicy-lover to find a sizzling meal. Japan does not have the same
affinity for heat; many of the dishes that Husband has sampled that claimed to
be spicy were merely warm by his book. After three tries in search of something
that brings tears to his eyes, he feels keen to write off the tantan-men as
simply a peppery, chili flavored soup. On the way out the door, the book was
stamped for the sixteenth time, officially past the halfway mark and on towards
the finish line.
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| 武者気 (Muja-ki) Matsuno |
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| Rich, orange soup piled with various toppings. |
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