Takumi Restaurant, Prague
February, dismal weather outside and a strong urge to bring back at least a few of the flavors I'd found on my travels - if not abroad, then at least at home in Prague. So we settled on the famous ramen restaurant Takumi on Senovážné Square.
When we came by (just before 5 p.m.), the place was half empty and we got a table without a reservation. It isn't big, more of a bistro with a handful of tables - and that kind of simplicity suits ramen. A server was at our table almost right away.
For a starter we went for gyoza, the Japanese stuffed dumplings. They were so good that I never even got a photo - they were off the plate before I could pull out my phone. Six dumplings came to 108 CZK (4.30 EUR).
For the main course I picked the special ramen shoyu for just under 300 CZK (just under 12 EUR). Shoyu is one of the basic ramen styles, with the broth seasoned with soy sauce. The dish was good, the presentation very pretty and the portion enormous. If this had been the only bowl I tried, though, the price would have left me disappointed - the broth tasted flat and pretty forgettable. Some people will like that gentler profile just fine; from a place with this reputation, I expected more.
The karaage tan tan ramen for 350 CZK (14 EUR), on the other hand, was excellent. Tan tan ramen is the Japanese take on fiery Sichuan dan dan noodles - the broth is creamy, full of sesame and pleasantly hot. The pieces of karaage fried chicken were tender inside and crisp outside, the plating again beautiful and the portion generous. I'd love to go back for this ramen.
I've also had good ramen in Prague at Isai Ramen and at the Bon Fresh bistro. Where do you go for a good bowl of ramen?
Takumi
