Resisting the Summer Cold Noodles: A Hearty Tantanmen and Fried Rice Set

Yesterday, I had a tantanmen (sesame-based spicy noodles) and fried rice set at a local Chinese restaurant.

​Now that the warmer season is finally arriving, Chinese restaurants and ramen shops in Japan start serving "Reimen"—a type of chilled ramen with ice cubes in the soup. But yesterday, I didn't even glance at the cold option and went straight for the hot tantanmen.

​The rich aroma and flavor of the sesame coated the noodles beautifully, making it absolutely delicious. Tantanmen is usually known for being quite spicy, but the one at this shop isn’t very hot at all, so even people who aren't good with spicy food can thoroughly enjoy it.

​The fried rice was also excellent. It was well-seasoned, and while the texture was perfectly fluffy, each individual grain of rice remained wonderfully chewy and moist!

​The small dish in the center is zhasai (pickled mustard plant). It works great as a palate cleanser between bites, but it’s also delicious when eaten together with the fried rice.

​And the liquid you see in the cup at the top center is Tieguanyin (iron goddess) oolong tea. It was the perfect way to refresh my mouth at the end of the meal!

​Chugoku Ryori Kuretake (Chinese Restaurant Kuretake)
https://share.google/IlGJpYx8tU0nodwow

Comments

Post a Comment

If you enjoyed this glimpse into my daily life, you can buy me a coffee here!

Popular posts from this blog

Today's Lunch: Super Spicy & Rich Chicken Ramen

Image
​I went out for ramen with my friend today! We had this spicy, rich chicken ramen covered in bright red ichimi (cayenne pepper powder). ​The soup is so thick and creamy that it clings to the noodles perfectly. Every bite is packed with the intense flavor of the broth! ​Of course, the toppings—chashu (braised pork), nori (seaweed), and nitamago (soft-boiled seasoned egg)—were the perfect match for the rich soup. It was absolutely delicious! ​As many of you probably know, Japanese people (especially guys!) LOVE ramen. That’s why there are so many different varieties of ramen all over the country. ​I’ll share more whenever I try a new bowl. Stay tuned! ​How spicy do you like your ramen? 
Read more

Today's Budget-Friendly Lunch: Retort Curry and Bean Sprouts! 🍛

Image
Today's lunch is Japanese curry rice and sautéed bean sprouts! ​In Japanese supermarkets, you'll find an incredible variety of "retort" (ready-to-eat) curry pouches. They are very affordable, yet each one tastes amazing. All you have to do is heat the pouch in the microwave for about a minute, pour it over rice, and it's done! ​For the rice, I used some leftover broccoli rice I made yesterday. ​The side dish is bean sprouts, which are probably the cheapest vegetable you can buy in Japan—only about 35 yen (approx. $0.23) per bag! My favorite way to eat them is a simple sauté with sesame oil, salt, and pepper. It’s so simple, yet delicious. ​Today’s meal is a real "budget home-cooked lunch," but I'm totally satisfied!
Read more

McDonald’s Japan: The King of Fast Food and a Friend to the "Ordinary Guy"

Image
Today's lunch was McDonald’s! ​As many of you probably know, McDonald’s is everywhere in Japan. It is truly the king of hamburger chains here. ​I ordered the classic Big Mac meal (we call it a "Big Mac Set" in Japan). ​I’ve heard that the Big Mac in Japan is actually one of the cheapest in the world. For an ordinary Japanese guy like me, it’s a reliable friend that lets me get full without breaking the bank. ​A hearty burger paired with salty French fries—it’s the best! ​However, the concern about nutritional balance is the same in Japan as it is everywhere else in the world, so I have to be careful not to overdo it.
Read more