さかっと
We were wandering around the area near Oyasukodo Street looking for a light dinner when my wife spotted a sign for a restaurant called "Menya Saigo no Hitoshizuku." It seems they opened in November 2022, and my wife had been wanting to try it for a while. The location is a bit hidden on the first floor of the Tenjin Bacchus Building, off the main street, so we might have missed it if not for the sign. Their specialty is a non-tonkotsu ramen, particularly their "Katsuo Ramen." In addition to this unique option, they also offer shrimp, orange, and orange with shellfish soy sauce ramen, as well as abura soba. The soup is made without any chemical seasonings, focusing on bringing out the natural flavors of each ingredient. While they have side dishes like rice, gyoza is not on the menu. As it was our first visit, we decided to go with the recommended "Katsuo Ramen." By following them on Instagram, we were able to get an extra two slices of chashu as a topping. After a short wait, the "Katsuo Ramen" arrived, looking vibrant with the additional chashu. The chashu was cooked at a low temperature, ensuring it was tender and not dry. The ramen, true to its name, was topped generously with bonito flakes and nori. The soup, made with a combination of chicken, kombu, and bonito, had a complex umami flavor with the bonito taking the lead. The noodles were not the typical thin straight noodles found in Fukuoka, but a medium-thick, high-hydration noodle that had a chewy texture and coated the soup well. The extra chashu added a nice touch of richness. The soup was not overly salty, so I was able to finish it all. Although we didn't order it, the restaurant recommended eating the ramen with rice, which sounds like a good idea. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.