つけめん むらさきたくみの (Tsukemen Murasaki Takumi Monzen nakacho)

Recently I have picked up some more part time hours, but more importantly, it was my birthday last week. Though I was working I managed to snag some noodles at a shop close to where I am working. Generally I like to save tsukemen (dipping noodles) for summer, but I noticed that these were curry noodles. Because of my new found lust for noodles combined with curry I decided to check out Tsukemen Murasaki Takumi in Monzen nakacho.

This shop has a well worn atmosphere with counter seating only. On a cold January evening I felt cozy while I waited for my curry tsukemen to be served. The staff member working was very friendly and tried his best to speak English. Of course I wanted the large noodles. Of course I wanted it hot! Because these noodles are super thick it took a little longer than I am used to for me to get my dish, so while I waited I took an inventory of the condiments: bonito, yuzu powder, hot chili pepper, regular pepper, and some kind of special tsukemen topping. Fantastic!

I was not disappointed. A beautiful thick curry was served topped with saffron and loaded with hokusai (napa cabbage) along with a separate bowl of Parmesan. Thick chewy tsukemen noodles complete with chashu, egg, and nori completed this round of a sublime noodle endeavor. I say sublime because no condiments were necessary and everything was cooked to perfection. I mean everything. Chasu practically fell apart in my mouth and check out this amazing egg:

5/5! Go to warm yourself up. I noticed this neighborhood also had a lot of cool looking places to drink, so it might be the perfect spot for a drunk noodle binge.

Map and link!

Curry Festival @UNU

Long time, no noodle. I was on holiday during the end of December and the beginning of January. When on Holiday I find it hard to blog. I was also in the US, and my main culinary conquests were pizza, Jewish deli food, and Mexican. All three things are difficult to locate in Japan, and I was into satisfying my homesick palate. On my return I really wanted ramen. I stopped at a favorite local shop. But what to do about a new review? Every weekend the Aoyama area has a farmer's market. If you like trying samples of fresh vegetables and other treats I suggest you go! They often have special food based events and this past weekend was the curry festival. I scoped it out and after sharing some cheesy nan and curry with my friends I landed at the "curry ramen" stall:

This was offered by Ikiba, a very cute and cozy cafe nestled in the hustle and bustle of Harajuku. Generally Ikiba does not have ramen, but I have been there before and their food is quite delicious. Being the only ramen offered at the curry festival I went for it. It was a cook your own adventure, meaning you put the noodles into the steaming hot water yourself and then with the aid of their chef finished a lovely bowl of ramen.

The noodles were a flat wavy type I associate with Chinese dishes. Cilantro and a little chili oil was added to round out the flavor of a robust pork curry. Amazing! I am sad that this was a one time offer during a special event and now I might be in search of more curry ramen dishes. If you haven't been to Ikiba and you need a break while in the Harajuku area I highly recommend it! 5/5

Here are maps to both the farmer's market and Ikiba!

Farmer's market



Ikiba