Hot Pot Udon @ Miura Udon, Hakata, Fukuoka

 

With the weather now getting  a bit on the frosty side, a good bowl of steamy hot noodles would really sort me out pretty good. However, rather that getting ramen, lets head out for some udon for a change. 

Old school!

Miura Udon is a humble udon place that has been around for years in the residential side of Hakata. This is good for me, as it is a 10 minute walk from my apartment. Simple and unassuming, it is located in the basement of a carpark not far from Sanno Park. It provides a nice retro feel especially when you enter into the premises for the first time. It felt like you just entered into a time capsule. However, it is just how it looks on the outside. It is the food that matters. 

Decisions... decisions

The menu has the classic variations with regards to udon bowls, there are the usual soup with meat and fried treats. However, I was told that I should get the nabe tate udon, or udon cooked in a hot pot, due to its size and its serious ability in warming you up. Standing at 850 yen, it was a bit hefty in terms of udon. Having said that I did order it and once my meal was placed before me, the price was totally justified. 

Hefty!

I had a medium size hot pot placed in front of me with steam just bellowing out like an onsen bath. The ingredients were bountiful as well, very inviting and colourful. A cracked egg in the center made it look like a rising sun with various ingredients like shrimp tempura, fish cakes, tofu skin and other vegetables complete the dish. This was a very homely and soothing. It is not fancy and sophisticated. But it gives you a very comforting vibe to it. Simple and unpretentious. But very very tasty. 

Time to slurp.

The soup was clean and clear, with a striking yet gentle taste of anchovies in its broth. The noodles were springy and was tender to the touch. And the other toppings provided some extra flavour and texture which made this satisfying. Its should be noted that I got the prawn tempura version, which of course, meant that the fried batter became mush when it absorbed the soup that came with the pot. However, it was still very enjoyable. One thing I like was the hotpot. It help keep the meal warm throughout the eating process. So much so, I felt pretty fiery in the end, that I had to take a walk in the cold autumnal breeze before I can operate again. This would have been the perfect winter countermeasure. I have to remind myself about that the next time. 

The massive prawn that came with this pot. So big!

If you like no frills dining and you are around this area, I strongly recommend this place. It takes you back to a simpler time where great food does not need to be complex or have various elements into it. Juts good ingredients and care, and maybe a giant hotpot! So if that has caught your attention, the address is as follows: 

4 Chome-2-10 Hakataekiminami, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0016

Front of the house