Kinryu Ramen Midosuji — Restaurant in Osaka

Kinryu right by the Dotonbori Bridge was my VERY first introduction to ramen. It now has tables for customers but back in the day we all stood around the counter munching on the unlimited Japanese-ized kimchi, feeling proud as we stared at the picture of Harrison Ford eating at the very same location. The gigantic dragon floating on the top of the stall, ramen workers cooling off by directing the flexible aluminium air conditioning duct into their neck was all part of the charm. But can I tell you? I never liked their ramen until now. I guess I changed or may be it was the rainy cold evening that contributed to the entire experience. Whatever it was, I loved it. Eating next to a loud angry drunk young yakuza brought me back to the olden days where they were dime a dozen and Nissan Skylines were rampaging through the streets of Osaka.

BTW, if you want to try this obligatory ramen shop but don't want to wait in line? Come to...

很自助的立食拉麵！stand ramen! There is the machine you can buy the tickets, and just stay in line, won’t waiting too long! People just ate and go! You can see the people cooking and it just right beside the road, it is very cool experience. Can add the kimchi or garlic by yourself but the original ramen taste really good already! Not too salty and soup is drinkable and delicious! The noodle just about right, you can’t choose soft or hard but the noodles is cook in the between! 800¥ ramen also have the meat! If you want more meat you can choose the 1100¥ one. The meat is soft! Taste good, and I just gave you a little bit meat even! Very cool experience definitely...

One of the coolest dining experience I had while visiting Osaka. There are no seats, so you basically stand and eat the ramen right there. There are a few condiments served in communal bowl that you can take. Remember to flip your chopsticks if you're thinking of getting some!

I don't know whether it's because I came during winter, but slurping a warm bowl of ramen in the cold was so comforting. The ramen itself was good, but generally it's pretty hard to get bad food in Japan.

I've been there twice so far, and I think I'll try to stop by again whenever...