Ramen vs Udon

Update : Udon Kobo Min Min has closed down.

After having tasted an awesome Ramen, I just could not stop thinking about it. There is no ramen place in my area and though Atria is just within walking distance, it is not so practical to walk there for lunch on a work day.

Then I thought about udon. I have never had udon and though I have walked past Udon Kobo Min Min a thousand times, I was never compelled to go inside.

But that day, I wanted to celebrate something. You know I hate meetings, right? A meeting I was supposed to attend was cancelled. Yesh!!! So. This calls for a mini celebration. Yeah, I am mad.

So. Udon it was. Just like the Malay saying, kalau tidak ada rotan, akar pun berguna - in this context meaning if there is no ramen, udon will do.

I have checked the menu before and found the items a little pricey. But I guess it has to be since their ingredients come from Japan and they claim to be authentic. 

I settled for the Chasu Udon (RM17.90) and since the bowl looked so small in the menu, I thought I had better call in for some reinforcements in the form of Gyoza (RM8.90 for 5 pieces). Looks like I am back to my old habits >.<

So here it is, my Chasu Udon.

The serving size is actually ample and there is no need for extras. But well, since I was there, I wanted to taste the Gyoza as well.

The Gyoza is definitely better than the ones I had at Gantetsu but it was not to my liking. The taste of ginger was too strong.

I have a love hate relationship with ginger. Depending on what dish, sometimes I love ginger and sometimes I don't.

Back to the udon. Seeing that the soup is clear, I expected it to be light in taste and I was right. The chasu was nice and tender but the portion size was rather conservative.

The udon itself was pleasant, springy and chewy just the way I like my noodles. It was served with a fried chili condiment, pretty similar to the ones served with pan mee.

Seeing that the udon was rather light tasting, I simply had to jazz it up with the chili.

This chili is kick ass. I love it! It stole the show for me.

I'm not saying that the udon was bland or unmemorable. I prefer stronger flavors. When you have grown up with stuff like belacan and budu, you tend to favor stronger tasting food. So for me, ramen wins hands down. 

And one more thing. There is one more thing I was curious about. Mizu Mochi. That transparent jiggly dessert. It looked so pretty in pictures. I just had to try it.

It's a tiny thing, this Mizu Mochi (RM6.90). 

That teaspoon will give you an idea about the size of the pretty Mizu Mochi. By itself, the jelly has no taste and it is the brown sugar syrup that gives it a very sweet flavor.

The topping of roasted soy powder added texture and flavor. It was just OK for me, not something I would go out of the way for. Like I said, my tastebud is not delicate enough to appreciate something like this Mizu Mochi.

Well, I was still happy though. Then off I went to run my errands when I spotted these things being erected on the pavement in front of Subway.

Seriously? Do we need this? Is it useful? Those chairs are made of metal. You will not want to sit here because :

1. It is right under the trees and on your lucky day, a bird will poo on you (it happened to me once. Cilaka!)

2. After the rain, these chairs will be wet.

3. On a typically hot day, you will end up with hot hot bums and you will be very cross.

I guess the despatch boys who love to hang out outside the buildings may like this.

So there you have it. My first and last udon experience.