Ann Arbor | Ranked 1 Japanese fried chicken ramenš¢š¢š¢
Slurping Turtle (Ann Arbor) ā Classic Duck Fat Ramen Shines, But Prices Hurt Back in Ann Arbor, I had to hit up Slurping Turtle (aka āTurtleā Ramen) again! This time, I tried their iconic Duck Fat Fried Chicken Ramen and Dan Dan Noodlesāplus a spooky Halloween special. While the fan favorite didnāt disappoint, some picks fell flat, and letās be real: Ann Arborās prices here are creeping toward big-city levels⦠Hereās the breakdown š! š Must-Order: Duck Fat Fried Chicken (DFFC) Ramen DFFC Ramen: š¦ The star of the show! The broth is rich and savoryāso flavorful, though itās a tiny bit salty (pair it with a sip of water, and itās fine). The fried chicken, tossed in duck fat, has that unique, fragrant crispiness you canāt get from regular oilājuicy inside, crunchy outside, and it soaks up the broth perfectly. No wonder this is their classicāitās worth the hype. š„¢ Skip: Dan Dan Noodles (Go to Lan City Instead!) Dan Dan Noodles: š· Total letdown. The noodles themselves are okay, but the pork belly on top is way too fattyāgreasy enough to overpower the sauce. If youāre craving Dan Dan Noodles, save your money and head next door to Lan Cityātheir version is way more balanced (and cheaper). š Halloween Special: Spider-Shaped Soft-Shell Crab Roe Buns Soft-Shell Crab Roe Buns: š¦ A fun seasonal pick! Shaped like tiny spiders (complete with ālegsāācute, not creepy), theyāre packed with crispy soft-shell crab and gooey fish roe. As a soft-shell crab lover, I loved thisācrunchy, briny, and full of flavor. The Halloween theme just makes it more fun. š° The Catch: Overpriced for What It Is Letās talk moneyāthis place is expensive. For a bowl of ramen and a small special, the bill adds up fast, and it feels like Ann Arborās prices here are now on par with NYC or LA. Itās tasty, but youāll definitely notice the hit to your wallet. š Logistics & Vibe Location: Right in Ann Arbor (no long drive needed!), making it easy for a quick ramen fix. Vibe: Casual, busy, and cozyātypical of a popular ramen spot, with fast service. š Final Verdict: Go for the DFFC Ramen (and Maybe the Specials) Slurping Turtle is a solid choice if youāre jonesing for duck fat fried chicken ramenājust skip the Dan Dan Noodles and be prepared for sticker shock. Itās not ālife-changing,ā but itās one of the better ramen spots in Ann Arbor. And if youāre there for a holiday special (like the Halloween crab buns), even better! #100RestaurantChallenge #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #MichiganFood #AnnArborFood #JapaneseRamen #JapaneseFood #FriedChickenRamen