Isai Ramen Restaurant, Prague
Ramen is one of my favorite dishes. So when someone recommended Isai Ramen, a Prague restaurant that specializes in this Japanese soup, I didn't think twice about going.
For me, ramen is the most famous Japanese dish of all. At its core are wheat noodles served in a broth - usually chicken, beef or pork - seasoned with soy sauce or with miso, a fermented soybean paste. The noodles come with all sorts of toppings, such as slices of pork (very often slow-braised pork belly chashu), marinated boiled eggs and vegetables. Ramen traces back to China, where a similar dish called "la mian" was served. It reached Japan in the early 20th century and quickly caught on - today almost every Japanese region has its own style, and which one is the best is a matter of passionate debate.
Both the Miso Red Ramen and the Thick Broth Miso Ramen were absolutely perfect. Both bowls are built on a miso broth, and the fermented paste gives it a full, faintly nutty flavor. The broth was strong, the noodles had just the right bite, the meat was tender and the egg wasn't overcooked - everything I want from a proper ramen. One serving came to just under 300 CZK (just under 12 EUR).
With the ramen we ordered calpis, a popular Japanese drink. It's made from fermented milk, tastes mildly sweet and sour and is served chilled. It is the work of Calpis Company, a Japanese food producer founded back in 1919. You mix the concentrate with sparkling or still mineral water, and it works in cocktails and other dishes too. A glass here cost 75 CZK (3 EUR). An ideal match for ramen.
Isai Ramen has other dishes on the menu as well, gyoza dumplings for instance, or various meat dishes with rice. But ramen is where it truly excels. The service was quick, the dining room pleasant, and most of the guests were Japanese - in my book an Asian restaurant can't get a better recommendation than that.
I've had good ramen in Prague at Takumi too, and at the Bon Fresh bistro. If you don't know Isai Ramen, I definitely recommend a visit!
Isai Ramen
