Hey, fellow food explorers! 🌟 Ready to dive into a delicious Japanese dish that’s not as mainstream as ramen but equally mouth-watering? Say hello to tsukemen!
Picture this: you’re in Japan, it’s summer, and the thought of slurping a piping hot bowl of ramen feels like too much. Enter tsukemen, the cool cousin of ramen that’s here to save the day. Tsukemen is essentially a deconstructed ramen where the noodles and broth are served separately. You dip the noodles into a rich, flavorful broth and then slurp them up. Sounds fun, right? It’s interactive, customizable, and oh-so-delicious.
Why not? Sure, ramen gets all the love, but tsukemen is like that hidden gem you’ll want to brag about discovering. Here’s why you should give it a go:
- Cool and Refreshing: Perfect for those sweltering summer days. The noodles can be served cold, offering a refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty broth.
- Flavor Explosion: The dipping sauce is concentrated and bursting with umami. Every dip and slurp is an adventure.
- Customizable: Like it spicy? Add some chili oil. Prefer a milder taste? Go easy on the dipping. It’s your meal, your way.
- Unique Experience: Let’s be honest, how many people back home can say they’ve tried tsukemen? You’ll be the foodie trendsetter among your friends.
For me, there is an amazing place to try it, and it is close to our Hostel!
Welcome to Asakusa Seimenjo (浅草製麵所, in english is a kind of “hand made noodles)
Address: here
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Monday
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Off
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Tuesday
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11AM–10:30PM
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Wednesday
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11AM–10:30PM
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Thursday
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11AM–10:30PM
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Friday
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11AM–10:30PM
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Saturday
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11AM–10:30PM
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Sunday
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11AM–10:30PM
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Located in the heart of Asakusa, this place is a noodle lover’s paradise. Here’s why Asakusa Seimenjo should be on your must-visit list:
- Handmade Noodles: Watch as they craft fresh noodles right before your eyes. It doesn’t get fresher than this!
- User-Friendly Menu: They offer a digital menu with an English option, making it super easy for non-Japanese speakers to order.
- Delicious Tapas: Beyond the noodles, they serve an array of mouth-watering tapas like fried octopus, fried calamari, and fried chicken. Perfect for sharing or for those who love to mix and match flavors.
- Variety of Tsukemen: They offer several types of tsukemen, including miso tsukemen, shoyu tsukemen, and the crown jewel (at least for me) — tantan tsukemen.
Tantan tsukemen at Asakusa Seimenjo is a dish that showcases the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Rich, Creamy Sauce: The dipping sauce is made from a blend of sesame paste, peanut butter, and chili oil. This creates a creamy, nutty base with just the right amount of heat.
- Flavor Explosion: The sauce also includes garlic, ginger, and miso, providing depth and umami that will leave you craving more.
- Handmade Noodles: Thick, chewy, and perfectly suited for dipping, these noodles are the star of the show.
- Toppings Galore: Enjoy the delightful crunch of fresh vegetables like bok choy and the savory goodness of minced pork cooked to perfection.
- Dip, and Dunk: Grab a bundle of noodles with your chopsticks, dip them into the creamy, spicy sauce, and then slurp them up. Each bite will be packed with flavor.
- Mix and Match: Add a bit of extra chili oil if you like it spicier, or throw in some pickled vegetables for an extra zing (for me, don’t need it, already is perfect)
Final Slurp 🥢
So, next time you’re in Japan, skip the ramen (just this once) and go for tantan tsukemen. It’s a cool, interactive, and delicious way to experience Japanese cuisine. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
