Sao Paulo 🇧🇷 Japanese ramen | high ratings near Pinheiros

🏠 Tamashii Ramen 🗺️ R. Mourato Coelho, 53 - Pinheiros, São Paulo - SP, 05417-010 🍜 From Health Food Rebellion to Carb Comfort Last Saturday’s plan for a Pinheiros health meal crumbled at the sight of a salad joint’s quinoa-heavy menu. "Too bland," I thought, thumbing maps for backup. A 4.8-star Japanese spot popped up—Tamashii Ramen, tucked between artisanal bakeries and vintage stores. Perfect escape from leafy greens! 🎨 Where Ramen Meets Design Porn The space channels minimalist Tokyo: concrete walls etched with kanji, pendant lights shaped like ramen bowls, and a menu on recycled paper with illustrated noodle diagrams. In the open kitchen, chefs in crisp whites ladle broth from copper vats—no Brazilian-Japanese fusion kitsch here. A wall of sake bottles backlit in blue adds moody drama. 🍥 The "Soulful" Ramen That Plays It Safe Ordered the signature Tonkotsu: Broth: 8-hour pork bone base, creamy but less gelatinous than Kyoto’s best. A Brazilian pimenta dash adds subtle heat, avoiding the "too rich" trap. Noodles: Thick, wavy strands with decent chew, though the menu confesses they’re locally made (not imported). Still, better than most SP ramen. Toppings: Soft-boiled egg with runny yolk, lean chashu slices, and pickled bamboo shoots—textbook perfect, zero surprises. My Brazilian friend’s Shoyu ramen fared similarly: clear soy broth, thin noodles, and a mountain of wood ear mushrooms. "Tastes like Osaka," he said, "but without the street food chaos." 📍 Pinheiros’ Ramen Identity Crisis The dilemma: Tamashii nails Japanese authenticity (no cream cheese in the gyoza, thank god), but its sleek setting raises expectations. In a neighborhood where even burger joints have Instagrammable interiors, "good" isn’t enough. Compare it to Liberdade’s dive ramen spots—those have soul, if not design awards. 💰 Price vs. Pretension ~70 BRL per person (ramen + side). For Pinheiros, reasonable—but don’t expect budget eats. Gyoza cost 28 BRL, though they’re pan-fried to crisp perfection. Pro tip: Skip the overpriced craft beer; stick to cold sake. 🔚 Final Slurp: Worth a Stop, Not a Pilgrimage Come for solid ramen in a chic setting, but manage expectations. It’s not life-changing, but in a city where "Japanese" often means mayo-drenched rolls, Tamashii’s purity is refreshing. Just don’t wear white—those broth splatters show up on everything. #RamenLover #JapaneseCuisine #Pinheiros #FoodieReview