An authentic vibe, flexible menu and good service at this Japanese chain restaurant.
The only ramen spot in Seattle with tsukeman in its name caught my eye. Menya Musashi Tsukeman Ramen has 14 restaurants in Japan and others in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, China and even Ukraine. There are two in the US: Los Angeles and Seattle.
Their menu has a variety of ramen choices, all tonkotsu-based, a selection of Mazemen soupless ramen and six choices of tsukeman, the ramen style with separate chilled noodles and a rich dipping broth. There are also rice bowls, appetizers, including takoyaki and gyoza, a few sushi rolls and a nice selection of beers and sake.
On my first visit there, I ordered the basic tsukeman and my usual order of pork gyoza. My friendly waiter informed me that if I ordered the tsukemen with a “combo” add-on, I could choose from a selection of appetizers, including gyoza, and get a drink for only $6 extra. I went for it.
Tsukemen: The noodles were as expected; properly chilled, thick and with an adequate chew. Noodle flavor was pretty good, though here’s when I started making comparisons to the world-class tsukemen I’ve had at Tokyo Station’s Rokurinshura and the originator of this dish, Taishoken (Kyoto location). While not at that level of flavor and richness – probably some of the best noodles I’ve ever eaten – these noodles were nicely done with a mild flavor.
The broth was where the comparison stood out; the flavors were one-note and didn’t have the deep richness I expect from a dipping broth. The chashu was good with a nice sear to it. The egg was good. Note the red chopsticks, rather than disposables. A nice touch.
Tonkotsu: I went back to Menya Mushashi recently. As usual, I ordered the signature tonkotsu with the combo add-on of chashu-don. First let me say – that’s a lot of food! Enjoying this meal with me was my wife and our friend Vassiliki (from Greece – a ramen first-timer). We also ordered gyoza and a shrimp tempura roll.
The tonkotsu ramen mimics what you would expect from Ishiran or Ippudo – a basic, solid Fukuoka tonkotsu. While it didn’t match the quality and depth of flavor of those two iconic ramen chains, it did a very good job. Noodles were fresh and chewy, egg was perfect, chashu had a nice char and good porky flavor, though a bit thick, and veggies and mushrooms added that nice crunch.
The broth could use an upgrade; it was nice and creamy but a bit flat for me. An elevated broth would have made a huge difference. Still it was a solid bowl. Vassiliki really enjoyed her first bowl of ramen, noting the “rich pork broth had a satisfying depth and a lingering aftertaste, complemented by perfectly cooked noodles and balanced ingredients that didn’t overshadow one another. I want more!” I think her ramen journey will continue.
I must comment on the chashu-don and other appetizers: gyoza were near-perfect, with light charred wrapper and delicious filling. The shrimp tempura roll was very good according to my wife, who tends to order these frequently. The chashu-don had small cubes of chopped pork slices over perfectly cooked rice; that alone could have been a light lunch (no photo because we chowed it down immediately).
Seating is comfortable. There are outdoor tables during good weather, though when we went in mid-August patio doors were wide open so even indoor seats got a nice breeze. Waitresses and waiters are friendly and helpful. No cash accepted. Interesting anime-like graphics adorn the walls. I love their logo; almost bought one of their T-shirts.
For a ramen spot serving so many other dishes, Menya Mushashi does a very nice job on the ramen despite the split menu focus. Going with a group offers many things to order and share. I left feeling I’d just visited a Tokyo restaurant.
Ramen Club 5-Star Rating System:
Food: 3.75 stars
Service: 4.00 stars
Atmosphere/Comfort: 3.5 stars
RATINGS LEGEND:
1 star: weak
2 stars: just ok
3 stars: good
4 stars: very good
5 stars: superb or special
