たこやきくん
Nankai F.D. Service Co., Ltd., which operates station-side restaurants and shops within the Nankai Electric Railway Group, opened a franchise in Nankai Namba Station in August 2021. It was a busy Sunday lunchtime, with all the restaurants crowded. The weather in Namba was very hot today, and the underground shopping area was bustling with people. Due to certain circumstances, I had to change my plans and decided to try the restaurant "Roma-ken" right in front of me for lunch. The menu consisted of 8 dishes centered around baked spaghetti. The large bottles of Tabasco and powdered cheese placed on the tables left a strong impression. I had a hard time deciding what to eat, as I didn't particularly plan to eat at this restaurant, but I eventually settled for a classic dish that seemed unique and ordered it. They also offer a self-service all-you-can-drink option for draft beer (Sapporo Black Label) for 660 yen for 30 minutes. Additionally, they have a half-price deal on alcoholic drinks on weekdays from 11:00 to 17:00, which is a great value. I might visit again if I feel like it. I ordered the "Japoneze" spaghetti for 680 yen, which included ingredients such as pork, shrimp, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), shiitake mushrooms, onions, perilla leaves, and tomatoes. The spaghetti was incredibly voluminous, with a standard serving containing 400g, a large serving (additional 250 yen) containing 600g, and a "Berabo" serving (additional 420 yen) containing 850g. The spaghetti at Roma-ken is made by stir-frying the 2.2mm thick noodles in a frying pan after the order is placed, then mixing them with a special sauce to create the baked spaghetti. It's a traditional way of making it, similar to the old-fashioned Napolitan pasta served at coffee shops. The visually appealing dish resembled yakisoba (stir-fried noodles in soy sauce). The crispy aroma of the soy sauce was invigorating. The 2.2mm thick noodles provided a chewy and springy texture. The savory flavor of the soy sauce was delicious. The ingredients also had a satisfying crunch. I added some Tabasco and powdered cheese halfway through for a flavor boost. The acidity and spiciness of the Tabasco combined with the richness of the cheese enhanced the deliciousness even more! The 400g portion of noodles made it a hearty meal, but it made me crave for rice... The "Napolitan" spaghetti, priced at 580 yen, included ingredients such as shrimp, tomatoes, komatsuna, shiitake mushrooms, and onions. I had a taste of it, and it had a rich and thick flavor with plenty of ketchup. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more sweetness by caramelizing the ketchup a bit more. However, considering the price, I can't complain too much... It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.