Men no Youji

Located in the Takatsu area, nestled between Nihonbashi, Tanimachi 9-chome, and Uehommachi, this popular restaurant is a regular on Tabe-log's Top 100 Restaurants in Osaka (食べログ大阪百名店). Despite its location, which is not particularly convenient (a 9-12 minute walk from the nearest station), it gathers enthusiastic support from ramen connoisseurs across Kansai as a "destination shop worth visiting," with queues of over 10 people forming even before opening. The signature "Tori-bushi Kiwami Shio Ramen" (Supreme Salt Ramen with Chicken Flakes) features a clear salt soup made from a base of whole Ise Akadori chicken from Mie Prefecture and chicken bones, with burdock, apple, and ginger added to suppress any unwanted odors. Its most distinctive characteristic is the "tori-bushi" (鶏節 - unique flakes made by processing and shaving chicken, much like katsuobushi (鰹節 - dried bonito flakes)) floated on top as a finishing touch. This rare bowl allows you to enjoy a light and mellow chicken flavor until the very last drop, in place of bonito. The aroma of yuzu and the slight bitterness of daikon sprouts act as flavor-changing elements that refresh the palate, a meticulous design that elevates the perfection of the salt soup. The soup's remarkable lightness, allowing you to drink it all, speaks volumes about why it earned its spot on the Top 100 list. Another signature dish, the "Tori Doro Tsukemen" (Thick Chicken Dipping Noodles), is a rich dipping noodle dish served bubbling hot in a stone pot. The concentrated chicken umami soup is kept piping hot in the stone pot, while the medium-thin noodles are chilled with cold water, a design that highlights their elasticity and chewiness due to the temperature difference. Toppings include large slices of rare chashu, slow-cooked at a low temperature, adding a moist and tender texture that introduces new layers of flavor to the rich soup. The "Homard Ebi Tantan Mazesoba" (Lobster Tantan Mixed Noodles - limited) is also a favorite among regulars, boasting an excellent pairing with the "washiwashi" noodles from Teigaku, a renowned noodle factory in Kyoto. The noodles, ranging from medium-thick to medium-thin straight strands, are characterized by their chewy elasticity and fragrant wheat aroma. When chilled with cold water, their 'koshi' (chewiness/firmness) stands out, making the high quality of the noodles impressive for both tsukemen and ramen. We highly recommend this restaurant to travelers seeking a "famous shop worth visiting as a destination" in the Namba/Nihonbashi area.