Noodles and soup. Nothing else.
I was in Akihabara over the weekend for an exhibition at 3331 Arts Chiyoda. Usually when I’m out and about I do a quick search to see if there are any highly rated ramen places in the area. My search of Akihabara threw up a few options, but one shop in particular caught my attention as I’d been meaning to try it for a while now.
I first read about Shinosoba Tanaka Second (志奈そば 田なか Second) on the Ramen Adventures blog. I remember reading specifically about the shop’s kakesoba, ramen with nothing but soup and noodles. No toppings. No soft-boiled egg. No chashu. Nothing. What immediately struck me was the balls the chef must have to put such a dish on the menu; to have total confidence that the soup will speak for itself. The bowl is strictly limited to 30 servings a day. What’s more, at ¥1000 (£7.50) it’s at the higher end of the ramen price tag.
So I went. And I tried it. And it was amazing. The soup is made with Japanese abalone and spiny lobster, and tastes like the sea. The flavour is actually almost indescribable; the epitome of umami – a Japanese word which can be translated as “pleasant savory taste.” Seriously, if you are ever in Akihabara give it a try. It’s near perfection in a bowl. Also check out the video from Tokyo Extra below if you aren’t drooling enough. (I tried the rice suggestion at the end of the video too, amazing!)
Ikimasho!
Tanaka Second 東京都千代田区外神田3-4-1
Tokyo, Chioda-ku, Sotokanda 3-4-1
Closest station: Akihabara
Open 11:00-15:30, 17:00-21:00
Closed Mondays
*Go there for opening time if you want the kakesoba like I did.
Also check out :
CAMINO IN SETAGAYA
KONJIKI HOTOTOGISU IN HATAGAYA
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IKIMASHO! 