Bettei Takei Namba Ramen Ichiza

“Menya Takei,” a ramen shop with nationwide recognition in Joyo, Kyoto, has opened a new brand branch on the 9th floor of Edion Namba Main Store, directly connected to Namba Station. This branch is located within “Namba Ramen Ichiza,” a restaurant floor featuring multiple ramen shops. While a branch of the original Menya Takei (Honten Takei) at Hankyu Umeda Station consistently draws long queues, this particular Namba branch (Bettei Takei Namba) is relatively easier to enter, making it a well-loved “hidden gem” for Takei fans or an excellent alternative to a trip to Kyoto. The signature Rich Chicken-Pork Tonkotsu Tsukemen (dipping ramen) combines a thick, rich chicken-pork-seafood soup with chewy, medium-thick noodles containing whole wheat flour. The soup, known as “doro-kei” (thick/muddy style) for its consistency, is designed to shed its heaviness with the aroma of seafood, allowing the noodles to “swim” until the very last bite. The noodles offer the savory fragrance of whole wheat and the sweet notes of wheat, expertly crafted to hold their own against the rich dipping soup. The “Tokusei” (Special Tsukemen, 1,460 yen), which includes three types of chashu (roast pork), ajitama (seasoned egg), and nori (seaweed), is a perfect creation unique to this specific branch, allowing diners to enjoy a comparative tasting of meats. The three chashu varieties – fatty, lean, and stewed – each offer a different texture and flavor profile, complementing or cutting through the dipping soup’s richness and keeping the meal engaging until the end. The table is equipped with rayu (chili oil), vinegar, kuro shichimi (black seven-spice blend), and ichimi togarashi (red chili powder), offering a wide range of “ajiben” (flavor changes) to personalize the experience towards the end of the meal, which is another appealing feature of this branch. Soupwari (soup dilution) is also available after finishing the noodles. A particularly noteworthy detail is the jagged tips of the chopsticks. This ingenious design ensures a firm grip on the thick, whole-wheat, medium-thick noodles soaked in the rich soup, demonstrating the shop’s meticulous attention to detail in delivering a perfectly crafted bowl. The menu also features a wide array of options, including Chuka Soba (Chinese-style ramen), rice sets, and seasonal cold tsukemen, making it a place where you can savor the world of Takei beyond just tsukemen.