Mentaiko Pasta @ Marugetta, Tojinmachi, Fukuoka

 

Mentaiko has been features from time to time as a delicious side condiment to many things in Kyushu, specifically Fukuoka. However, it is time once again to put this amazing local specialty back to the spotlight. And I think there is no better way than now. 

I know what I am having!

Marugetta is a Japanese style pasta shop which specialises with homemade spaghetti being spiked with this spicy local favourite. Of course, you do not have to get anything that is mentaiko flavoured, but this is what it is famous for so it would just make sense for you to try it. It is so famous in fact, that there is always a line when I visit these parts. As such, I was never given the chance to try some of their food until now. Surprisingly, during a Sunday night running errands around the Tojinmachi area, the door had no one waiting. The only customers were a couple sitting inside the quaint corner of this establishment. 

Beauty in a pan

Seeing that I may never be given this lucky chance ever again, I swiftly got myself a seat and ordered their most famous dish, their mentaiko cream spaghetti.  Standing at 1930 yen, this is definitely one of the most indulgent dishes I have ordered in a long while. But you only live once right? And once my dinner was served, that price made so much sense. There is an entire piece of mentaiko resting on top of a bed of cream covered pasta. And to be accompanied by a dollop of tobiko? Now that is sheer beauty, as the scarlet glow of those seafood treasures contrast strongly behind the faint beige backdrop of the homemade pasta and the cream. 

Look how it shines!

After a good mixing, I then dove into my first slurp. The creamy and indulgent sauce was a perfect carriage for the spicy and slightly pungent mentaiko and tobiko to just attack my senses with insane abandon. However, that creamy concoction alongside the pasta did temper the flavours a bit. As such, the flavours were still pretty good, and definitely not as salty as taking the mentaiko as it is. Speaking of the pasta, the texture was extremely pleasant. 

Not wasting a single drop!

There is a nice chew that only homemade fresh pasta can provide. nothing from a box can compare to this. The rugged texture allowed the pasta sauce to cling onto each strand like some form of tasty glue. Each slurp was just a relentless attach as every time you chew it down and let the bits and pieces linger in your mouth, everything just seem to work in harmony. And after taking all the pasta down, I took my spoon and scooped every drop of sauce without shame and just finished everything. 

A peek inside

This was extremely enjoyable and I had no regret getting it although it is a bit on the steep side when it comes to my usual outdoor dining experience. The only shame is that it is not as convenient as most places that I been to. The quality of this meal however, justifies the effort and the price that followed. Seriously, if you are a fan of mentaiko or great pasta dishes, this is such an easy recommendation to make. So if this has caught your attention, the address is as follows:

〒810-0063 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Tojinmachi, 1 Chome−10−1 カランドパーク 1F

Front of the house.