Ikareta Noodle Fishtons — Restaurant in Osaka

Wandering Osaka, surrounded by shops where in a country where "delicious" is par for the course, sometimes it's difficult to feel inspired or excited when looking for a place to grab a meal. When almost everything is "good", where are the Outstanding places?

Well. This is one of them.

I'll admit that lately I've been indulging too much in deep fried food when I'm looking for a bit of comfort. Been avoiding ramen because that usual amount of salt and fat and carbs in tasty but unhealthy ratios just doesn't really...

But then, it's been a while since I've had Tsukemen.

This place does Outstanding Tsukemen. Heavy handed with the smoky fish powder, and connoisseurs with their cuts of pork, and bouncy, chewy noodles that look like they're infused with... More fish powder?

I watched as bowl after bowl was meticulously assembled in front of me. Got caught taking a photo before I realized it was not permitted. Sorry. Deleted.

The clientele are serious, the staff are serious. BAM!! FLAVOUR!! 🥰💥💪🏼

It's been a while since something I ate surprised me with directness and presence.

Yes, Japan. Osaka Takoyaki, sushi, beef, cutlets all deep fried. Yes delicious, but typically delicious expected.

This? You're sitting down, prepared for coke, say. Then you take a sip and it's like smooth, savory 20yo Lagavulin trickles down your throat (and you actually like it!).

A regular sat beside me, and he had an inspiring pro move! Despite being a hefty size, he ordered only a small noodle -- and a fully loaded charsiu rice. And at the end, after noodles were done, he poured the remainder of his smoky dipping sauce into house rice.

Most delicious genius thing I've seen in a while. Still get...

Pictured are the 特製濃厚つけ麺 / tokusei noukou tsukemen and the あいもり木桶醤油つけ麺 / aimori wooden barrel shoyu tsukemen.

(ig @wei.oframen for my ramen log 🫡)

I fell in love with the noodles here at Fishtons since my last visit. The master here made them daily in-house and cut them into these thicc rectangular-shaped strands. They are bouncy and slippery while having an addicting chew to them. Pairing them with a rich tonkotsu gyokai dipping broth, what else do you even need? I did order the bowl with this spicy minced meat/paste but I didn't feel like it added much. The broth is already delicious as is I didn't even want to put the diced onion and radish in lol. I really recommend the noukou tsukemen here. However, if you see the two colored noodles gentei(?) available, it's a solid option to try out the different noodles the shop...

Been religiously eating ramen for the past 10 years but this was my first bowl tsukemen ever! Thankfully we were allowed to order despite reaching slightly before closing time.

Wasn't sure what to expect given the lack of my tsukemen experience but the team here did an outstanding job of setting the bar high for my tsukemen adventures to come!

Thickest noodles I've ever encountered, coupled with the most perfect ramen egg! No seriously,I've eaten loads and I mean loads of ajitamas before but this. Was. PERFECT! The melt in your mouth pork caused me to drool as I chewed, slurped and burped,excuse me, through my meal.

I like to sincerely thank the Ikareta team for such an exemplary meal! Will definitely visit the next time...