Kunimatsu Ramen — Restaurant in Hiroshima

Hands down one of the best ramen I've tasted in my life. A bona fide culinary religious experience!

I had no idea what awaits when I heard of the hiroshima originated style of soupless tantanmen. Turns out the flavour was paradoxically familiar yet a unique dish in itself.

Chuka soba refers to the Chinese style noodles (within the Japanese food lexicon) and tantanmen is a Sichuan dish powered by Sichuan peppercorns typically soup-based. The flavouring here is what many would know as Mala.

This Japanese take on the Chinese dish provides an identical ingredients as far as minced meat, copious spring onions, flavourful tantan sauce drenched in chilli oil. The difference is the recipe which the minced meat was seasoned in, al dente noodles and the sauce itself. The way the sauce has interacted with the noodles once stirred to derive creaminess synergy between texture and flavour reminds me of a fantastic aglio olio. The option for even more creaminess is an egg on top of the noodles.

The service was extremely fast and noodles arrived on my table within minutes. As far as ramen goes, this is probably as good as it gets and provides serves a wide range of diners - the spicy lovers, Chinese or lovers of Mala flavour, ramen fanatics who would like to take a break from soup-based ramen for a change.

I would definitely return to order the Kunimax which is the most spicy option with loads of spring onions sprinkled on top. It doesn't get any...

Strictly on the chukasoba (it's in the restaurant name), not the dandan noodles. Surely it's amazing but I wouldn't know. Decent. Good control when making the noodles. Mild broth taste which is the opposite of the dandan noodle. A piece of chashu, some vege, and some bamboo shoots (?). I would've given a 3-4 stars if it wasn't because I'm thoroughly disappointed at the lack of profile this dish had. Broth has no distinct taste or flavor and is as generic as can be. Having that as your main niche and even having it in the restaurant name, just super disappointed and this is after 2 locals told me about this place (they only focused on the dandan noodle when recommending this place). It's okay if you're sick of dandan noodles but don't get...

No English menu, but it is easy to use a translation app to help with their ordering on their ticket machine. The staff were also kind enough to assist us, and there are English instructions available at the tables to guide you with how to prepare your noodles.

We were a table of 5 and managed to be seated close to the kitchen. Ideal seating would be 1-4 people though.

Food was cheap but delicious, good sized servings as well. Spice level 2 has a hint of numbing heat but not to an uncomfortable level. Highly recommend ordering the...