Mitsuba

Mitsuba’s ramen is all about the noodles coated in a creamy, white, frothy broth. Shio and soy sauce ramen are each ¥1,100, and both are available as chashu ramen or a special. Diners who tried the shio ramen have remarked on its pale, foamy broth and pronounced flavour; another enjoyed how well it clung to the smooth, easy-to-slurp noodles. One diner who chose the soy sauce version described a rich broth combining chicken paitan and soy sauce that coated the noodles well, along with a satisfying portion of chashu.

For more toppings, consider the chashu ramen or the special. Some diners have found the seasoning on the salty side, so if you would rather focus on the noodles and broth, starting with a basic bowl may suit you. Comments on the shio ramen have also singled out the texture of its long, slender menma, the soft-boiled egg and the black pepper on the chashu. Extra menma, with a 3-fold increase, and an additional egg are available as toppings if you’d like to make the bowl more substantial.

For a different way to enjoy noodles, try the “Dive” tsukemen. One visitor praised the combination of dipping broth that seemed richer than the ramen broth and well-chilled noodles. Rice is ¥290; drinks listed include Heineken and Torys Highball. Whether you want the noodles to take centre stage or would like another item with your meal depends on what you choose.

Mitsuba is in the food court in the basement of Abeno Hoop, where orders are placed using meal tickets. It works for lunch or a solo meal, and is better suited to enjoying a bowl between shopping or travelling than to a long, leisurely sit-down.