Bakabon

A renowned 'two-sword style' establishment located between Nakazakicho and Tenjinbashisuji Rokuchome in Osaka, operating as a ramen shop during the day and an authentic Sichuan restaurant at night. This highly acclaimed restaurant has been selected for Osaka Hyakumeiten (Top 100 Restaurants) from 2023 to 2025, and WEST Hyakumeiten in 2018 and 2022. Their signature dish, the "Doro Tantan Mazesoba" (Thick Tantan Mixed Noodles) for 1,200 yen, is uniquely styled as a soupless tantanmen with a little bit of soup, offering an addictively delicious Chinese-style numbing spiciness from a complex blend of chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, and sesame. This rich bowl features medium-thick chewy noodles topped with diced star anise-flavored chashu, sprouts, green onions, and plenty of shredded chashu, and comes with 'oimeshi' (extra rice) to enjoy until the very end. The ramen menu is extensive, including Shio Paitan (Salt Chicken Broth), Tori Shoyu Soba (Chicken Soy Sauce Noodles), Maze Tantanmen (Mixed Tantan Noodles), Kuro Shoyu Ramen (Black Soy Sauce Ramen), and Tori Shio Ramen (Chicken Salt Ramen), with a thoughtful Chinese-style consideration of asking about coriander preference upon ordering. At night, it transforms into an authentic Sichuan restaurant, serving dishes like Mapo Tofu, whelks and shrimp with Sichuan pepper oil, cumin and Kujo leek stir-fry with lamb, Saliva Chicken, stir-fried water spinach with garlic, and Golden Fried Rice. Courses with Tsingtao Beer and banquet options for 3-4 people are also popular. The restaurant has 9 counter seats and table seating. Its unique operating style, where Tuesdays are only for ramen lunch with Sichuan dinner closed, reflects its serious dedication to both culinary pursuits.