Tuesday 13 September 2016

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.

35 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I usually like it but this one got too much ginger...

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  2. I just had creamy salmon udon yesterday at Nana but had to share it with my friend because the portion is too big for me. I guess yoy better keep your carb cheat days for ramen and don't waste it on udon. Is the mizu mochi water mochi? I had tokyo ramen last Saturday. It was delicious! Wrote about it on my blog. You should try the dragon ramen instead of tonkotsu next. Mind blowing delicious!

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    1. Oh yes, I read your blog immediately when I saw it on my sidebar! I was very pleased that you enjoyed the ramen at Tokyo Ramen.

      Yes, I think it is water mochi. Not impressive in terms of taste.

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  3. Hey I thought I told you that you can get the signature ramen at Wakon's which is same row as TM office. You want the best broth, have to book one day ahead. You will love it.

    More 'surprises' will be refurbished around your office block by that SHC developer!! They wanna transform it into the most talked about place.

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    Replies
    1. Aiya! I forgot about Wakon. How could I? Yes, I must make it a point to visit Wakon and see if their ramen will be my favorite :)

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  4. Ramen or Udon I also love, hehe!

    The mochi looks very unique!

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    Replies
    1. Only ramen for me hah..hah...The mochi looks pretty but tastewise it is not that great.

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  5. Yes, I'd like to try the water cake too....at least once! Actually, I'd expect it to taste quite bland since it's made with just water, sugar and agar powder (and there's probably very little sugar since a brown sugar syrup is provided). But if I were to eat one, I'd like one prettier than this one....hehe! :D Like this one here....
    http://littlemissbento.com/2016/04/recipe-sakura-mizu-shingen-mochi/

    Hey, don't given up on udon so fast...maybe the broth you had here wasn't as good. Unless, of course, you don't like the texture of udon noodles itself, like some who don't like those fat hokkien noodles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I visited the link and the mizu mochi is so spectacular! But I doubt if the taste would improve with the sakura flower.

      No more udon for me. I will save my carb quota for ramen and more ramen!

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  6. Those chairs are not practical. I think it encourage people to loiter in front of the subway.

    You remind me of a Japanese blogger whose blog I follow. She likes Japanese food but prefers food with a bold flavour. All her recipe calls for big flavour.

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    Replies
    1. I love bold flavors and as such, I even find Taiwanese food a little bland.

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  7. Tsk! You distracted me with your chair talk in the end. We do not need those chairs, but the town council guys who approved this mini project needs them. Each chair they probably get to songlap a few thousand RM, so why not? The more the merrier...

    No disrespect, but... why is a supposedly authentic udon house serving you with pan mee chili? I don't think that chili is Japanese in nature. :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh ya, someone gets richer with these mini projects >.<

      That's what I thought - so strange to have pan mee chili at an udon joint. Maybe their customers (like me) prefer to add some spiciness to the udon.

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  8. we share the same sentiments - i prefer more robust dynamics in my food, so it's ramen over udon all the time. but i understand how people who prefer their flavours purer and simpler will gravitate toward udon ;)

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    Replies
    1. Well, curiosity satisfied, I shall now focus on ramen. Tried soba and also was not crazy over it.

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  9. Hi Phong Hong, Udon or Ramen, any type is okay with me. I like noodles but no too small bowl, lol....

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kimmy! Yes, the bowl must be big or else "chiak boh kau" hee...hee...

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  10. Nama in Malay is name but nama udon in Iban is a question - what is udon? LOL!!! RM17.90!!! *faints*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the prices here are heart stopping. The 5 piece salmon sashimi costs RM18.90. Very hard to swallow. :D

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  11. I like the bouncy texture of the udon~

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    Replies
    1. I like the texture but not the broth. Too mild for me.

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  12. Burn my butt if sit in that chair under hot sun. Wahaha.

    I like udon because chewy but on any day I still prefer ramen in soup. Udon? I like it dry. Hehe.

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    Replies
    1. hah..hah...those chairs just for decoration only I think.

      I have yet to try dry style udon but dunno if I want to hee..hee..

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  13. Metal chairs are not practical. When cold, it chill my butt and when when hot, it burn my butt. Hahahah!

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  14. Hi Phong Hong,
    I have not tried mizu mochi. Oh I like ramen soup and fried udong. Somehow fried udong won't taste so bland.

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    Replies
    1. I have not tried fried udon. Must be nice like fried mee :)

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  15. Looks pricey here. But if you enjoy it, it is worth every cent.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I did not really enjoy my meal. It was passable only, but I satisfied my curiosity.

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  16. Just had Japanese Buffet Mitsuba on Sunday, forgot to order the gyoza

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  17. The udon looks good but would be much better with the chilli sauce... Must have some kick there... By the way, no meeting also call for celebration? Hahaaaa... But I like this kind of celebration .. With food!

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    Replies
    1. The chili got me through so that I can finish the udon hee..hee..

      Ya lah, must celebrate not having to face the stress of the meeting :D

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  18. che bontà ho mangiato il ramen a Londra ed è buonissimo!!!!

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