I went to Menya Nanan in Ibaraki City, Osaka! I had the tonkotsu shoyu ramen The interior has a wood-grain design, clean yet somehow warm, with an atmosphere that makes it easy to enter even alone Mostly counter seats, but there are also 2-person tables, so going with a friend is totally fine! The tonkotsu shoyu ramen's appeal is its exquisite balance—rich but not too overpowering The smooth richness of tonkotsu and the savory aroma of soy sauce combine, making you involuntarily say "delicious" upon sipping the soup More of an "elegant tonkotsu shoyu ramen" impression rather than a heavy one. It feels like it wins with umami rather than relying on fat, a finish that can thoroughly satisfy adults. Recommended for those who like tonkotsu but find heavy ones a bit much! The location has great access, just a few minutes walk from the station! I think you can go without getting lost even on your first time 👍 Overall, a shop that serves elegant and careful ramen. It's not like the punchy Jiro-style, but it's the perfect place when you want to "eat a delicious bowl"! If you are interested, please check it out!

I had the ladies' set mini tonkotsu shoyu ramen and petit torotama fried rice. The taste was very delicious and the portion size was just right. However, for some people, it might feel a little small. Both the owner and the staff provided very polite service, and the atmosphere made it easy even for a woman dining alone. I would like to go eat there again.

Around 11:40 AM before noon, I headed to "Menya Nanan" near Ibaraki City Station. There were no other customers in the shop yet, and a quiet atmosphere drifted by. Since I was alone, I was guided to a counter seat. It's not a meal ticket system, but a style where you place your order directly. Written at the very top of the menu was "Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen". Convinced this must be the signature dish, I ordered the classic first. Water is self-served from a pitcher placed on the counter. The seating consists of 5 counter seats and three 4-person tables. A moderately good size. A man who appeared to be the owner was running the shop single-handedly, and I waited while listening to the sound of boiling noodles echoing from the kitchen after ordering. Just about 5 minutes passed when a solo salaryman and a pair of salarymen entered consecutively. The quiet pre-noon slowly became a bit lively. About 7 minutes after ordering, the tonkotsu shoyu ramen was served. Perhaps because I had Jiro-style ramen the day before, it looked a bit small and simple. However, the aroma that tickled my nose the moment I brought the soup spoon close was unique. The heavy scent or gaminess typical of tonkotsu was almost nonexistent; instead, a sweet, spicy, and savory aroma wafted up. The moment I took a sip, I was enveloped in a strange sensation: "Wait, is this like bulgogi?". The richness of tonkotsu combined with a sweet and spicy flavor like yakiniku sauce, giving it a somewhat Korean-style nuance. The noodles are a medium-thick, slightly wavy type. Not the thin, firm-cored type like Hakata tonkotsu, but with a chewy texture that slips smoothly down the throat. The appearance also has a soft sheen reminiscent of commercially available fresh ramen, and it shines beautifully with the soup clinging to it when lifted with chopsticks. Personally, I prefer a strong "firmness" where the wheat aroma is clearly felt, so this was a bit lacking for me. Before eating, I intended to order kaedama (refill of noodles), but with these noodles, I changed my mind and thought one bowl was enough (by the way, kaedama is 170 yen, a bit pricey). The chashu is bite-sized and easy to eat, with well-absorbed flavors that spread richness the more you chew. The soup, noodles, and chashu harmonized modestly, and I finished it to the end without getting tired of it. By the time I finished eating, the owner was busy with orders from other salarymen, making it a bit difficult to time my departure due to him running it alone. Even so, the polite customer service and calm atmosphere left a good impression. It was an early afternoon where I could enjoy a slightly unconventional bowl that transcended the framework of tonkotsu shoyu.

Tonkotsu shoyu ramen set chahan. This is a ramen shop located a few walks away from Hankyu Ibaraki-shi Station. I used it at a late time on a weekday. Operated by two people, the owner and a beautiful woman, and the woman provides polite and solid customer service. ◎ Tonkotsu shoyu ramen 900 yen ◎ Chahan set 250 yen The soup of the tonkotsu shoyu ramen is delicious no matter what. Not too thick and has a little sweetness. What's floating on the surface is probably mayu (garlic oil). It's piping hot and feels great. The medium-thin noodles and two types of chashu are also delicious. The fried rice cooked firmly using oil was also delicious. The owner saw me off properly, and customer service here was also top-notch ◎. While sharp, edgy bowls tend to be praised, the stable tonkotsu shoyu and polite service make this a shop you'd want to use daily.

+3

I had the tonkotsu shoyu ramen. The soup is light for a tonkotsu. The noodles are medium-thick and thoroughly cooked. I feel like these noodles wouldn't suit being ordered hard (katamen). The chashu is pork belly, melt-in-your-mouth style. I suppose it suits people who like this type. It's not bad by any means, but since there's nothing that strongly appeals to me, I'm giving it a middle-of-the-road 3 stars.