"I visited 'Men-dokoro Aoi' in Ikeda City and tried their 'Shoyu Tsukemen' with a regular serving of 200g (800 yen). The dipping broth is made with bonito flakes and has a low viscosity shoyu base that is well-balanced with a rich and round shoyu flavor. It has a refined umami from the bonito flakes, with a hint of sweetness and acidity that creates a harmonious and refreshing taste. The noodles are medium-thick with a wavy texture, which pairs well with the dipping broth that clings nicely to them, offering a firm and chewy texture. The small and thinly sliced pork in the broth is tender and well-seasoned, allowing you to enjoy the savory flavor of the meat. You can also adjust the flavor with the pepper and shichimi togarashi available on the table."

Spicy mackerel ramen. It's deep, too deep. It's delicious, too delicious. It's quite spicy, but the aroma and umami of the two types of chili peppers are exquisite! Truly, the way they researched and balanced all the ingredients is commendable. It's a manifestation of an insatiable spirit of inquiry. I look forward to both the regular menu items and new additions in the future. Thank you for the meal!!!

It's been a while since my last visit and when I looked at the menu, it seemed like they only had tsukemen now. I was in the mood for ramen, so I decided to try the limited edition "Spicy Mackerel Ramen" for 1,000 yen. The soup had a slight thickness to it, a soy sauce pork bone base. The first bite had a strong mackerel flavor, but then the spiciness kicked in and it was endless. The spiciness was more than I expected, and I was in ecstasy. Plus, there was plenty of floating lard which made the soup scalding hot! The noodles soaked in the hot soup were also scorching. I was lost in the labyrinth of spiciness and heat, and couldn't fully enjoy the deliciousness. The whole wheat curly thick noodles were 200g, a bit on the shorter side. They were well coated in the rich soup. I should have gone for the "Mackerel Pork Bone" instead of going all out on the spiciness and taken my time to savor it. It was around 12:30 on a weekday and the counter seats were almost full. This place seems to have a high reputation in Ikeda City and there were many regular customers. Maybe because of the heat, everyone around me was having tsukemen and the thick noodles looked delicious. If I had seen them before ordering, I might have gone for the tsukemen instead.

- Ordered item: Soy sauce dipping noodles (medium) - The pork provided is a product of the Nippon Ham Group. The pork is similar to shabu-shabu style, but surprisingly goes well with dipping noodles. The dipping sauce this time was soy sauce-based, which had a good umami flavor and satisfying texture. The noodles were of good quality as well. Overall, it was a satisfying dipping noodles experience, but it lacked a bit of seafood flavor.

Foodlog overall rating 3.63 Visit date: Friday, August 25, 2023, 19:50 Ordered: - Shoyu Tsukemen (dipping noodles with soy sauce) medium size for 900 yen - Tonkotsu Seafood Tsukemen (dipping noodles with pork bone and seafood broth) regular size for 900 yen When I arrived at the restaurant, there were exactly 2 empty seats, so I waited a little for preparation before sitting down. The place was always full with customers coming in constantly, so there was a bit of a wait. I originally wanted to try the Mackerel Dashi Shoyu Ramen (black version), but it was sold out from the previous customers. So, I decided to go with the Tsukemen since the soup base would be similar. All other menu items were variations of Tonkotsu broth, so I went with Tsukemen for both. The noodles for both dishes were medium thickness with a smooth and firm texture, and a nice wheat flavor. The Shoyu dipping sauce had a unique soy sauce flavor with a strong bonito flakes taste. Despite its black appearance, it was surprisingly mild and not overly acidic. The Tonkotsu Seafood dipping sauce seemed to have a mix of pork bone and fish powder, giving it a mild and slightly different taste compared to the more common rich Tonkotsu style. It was decent, but the Shoyu Tsukemen stood out with its distinctive and delicious flavor.

A shop located about a 10-minute walk from Ishibashi-Sakaidaigaku-mae. It is always crowded, even though it is along the national highway and does not have a parking lot. This time, I tried their visually appealing mixed noodles. The creamy flavored egg and rich special soy sauce dressing combination is great. The noodles are well coated, and they go well with the chashu, green onions, seaweed, and menma. It was a satisfying meal with a generous portion, and surprisingly, I felt full without rice! #mixednoodles #aoi #aol #dippingnoodles #ramen #chashu #lunch #foodlog #jelly #jellymeal

Saba Dashi Shoyu Ramen (Black) Large Portion 900 yen Saba Dashi Tonkotsu Ramen 1000 yen Extra Rice and Egg 150 yen I had these dishes! The Shoyu ramen has a beautiful black soup with a slightly spicy flavor, not too salty, and very delicious. The thick noodles are also delicious! The Tonkotsu ramen is rich and creamy! It was so good that I drank every drop of the soup. The noodles were thicker than the Shoyu ramen. The large portions were satisfyingly large. You can get a large rice portion for only 100 yen during lunch. The staff was friendly and refreshing. The seating is limited, so there might be a wait during peak times. Overall, I had a very satisfying lunch! I would love to try other menu items as well!

I ordered the Mackerel Dashi Shoyu Ramen (Black) 150g for 750 yen! After sitting down, I waited for 25 minutes. The mackerel aroma subtly infused in the shoyu broth with curly noodles that were well coated was delicious. The chashu was also tender and paired well with the broth. The touch of red chili pepper was nice, but personally, I think black pepper would have been better. Next time, I want to try the seafood pork bone ramen!

I ordered Tonkotsu fish broth tsukemen and Chashu rice bowl. The dipping sauce has a rich flavor of pork bone broth and a hint of seafood taste. The noodles are medium thickness and flat, which pairs well with the broth. The Chashu rice bowl has a sweet and savory sauce that complements the Chashu well. Thank you for the meal.

I went to "Aoi" with a friend, a 15-minute walk from Hankyu Ishibashi Hankaidaigaku-mae Station! We ordered the Seafood Oil Ramen for 900 yen! It had various ingredients, including a whole boiled egg! When I tried it, the flavor of bonito spread throughout my mouth from the first bite. It was full of stamina, but the watercress made it refreshing until the end. Thank you for the meal!

I came to Ikeda's Aoi-san! I have always heard great reviews so I was really excited to go. There were two signs, so I had a tough time deciding between the black ramen and tsukemen, but I ended up choosing the tsukemen! The slightly chewy flat noodles were fragrant and carefully washed, providing a great texture and smoothness. The chashu was also very tender! It was a simple yet delicious dish. I was very satisfied with my meal.

I had soy sauce dipping noodles!!! It's been a while since I had dipping noodles, but it was delicious~~^_^ My friend had tonkotsu seafood dipping noodles and I tried a bit, it was delicious too✌️ Dipping noodles are great, I'll explore more varieties! It was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

I will have dried fish and tonkotsu ramen with soy sauce dipping noodles. The dried fish and tonkotsu ramen has medium-thick noodles, a thick and creamy soup with a strong dried fish flavor rather than tonkotsu. The soy sauce dipping noodles have flat noodles with a light soup that has a citrusy flavor. Both dishes are easy to eat and delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I visited "Aoi" in Ikeda City on a day off. Although the sanma soy sauce ramen caught my eye, I decided to try the "Niboshi Tonkotsu Ramen," which I had never had before. It arrived in about 10 minutes! The soup, with its fragrant dried fish flavor, matched perfectly with the rich yet mild pork bone broth, allowing you to enjoy a deep umami flavor with every bite. The chashu, with its tender texture, was satisfyingly thick and delicious. The homemade medium-thick noodles had a chewy texture that paired well with the rich soup, making it a delightful meal. As expected from a popular spot in Ikeda, there was quite a line forming by the time I left. This was my 326th bowl of ramen this year!

Recently, it seems that the restaurant was only open for lunch, but evening hours have resumed, so I decided to drop by after a long time. When I visited shortly after it opened, there was quite a wait, but this time, being a weekday evening, I was able to be seated right away. However, the seating capacity is quite limited, so it seems like there could be a wait if customers start to gather. Today, I decided to order the soy sauce tsukemen straight up. There was a warning that "ordering a large portion may not do justice to the original flavor," but I went ahead and ordered the large size. After a while, the dish arrived. The noodles were quite dark in color, but the broth was even darker. A small bowl was filled with plenty of pork belly and topped with green onions. I started by stuffing the noodles into the gaps between the pork belly and took a bite! The texture and flavor of the noodles were quite strong, but they were complemented by the flavorful soup, creating a strong sensation of enjoying the noodles with the broth. The noodles were glossy on the surface, but had a strong chewiness, going beyond being chewy and bouncy to having a crunchy texture. The rich wheat flavor, expected from the color, spread throughout the mouth. The pitch-black soup was thin, but the strong umami and richness from the fish flavor (probably from dried mackerel) combined with the acidity of soy sauce provided a strong and rich taste without making it difficult to eat. The subtly added yuzu peel seemed to be doing a good job against the fishy aroma. At the bottom of the soup, there was fried tofu? as an ingredient, which is quite rare. I remember there used to be trefoil or something like that in the past, so maybe they are making minor modifications. The amount of soup was overall on the small side, but it was thin enough not to overpower the noodles, and since the flavor was strong, I didn't feel like the soup was lacking. If there is a slightly concerning aspect, it would be that the bowl of dipping sauce is quite small, but the pieces of pork belly are quite large, making it difficult to soak the noodles (a little spilled) and if the fried tofu absorbs a lot of soup, it can be quite salty. However, the simplicity of the delicious noodles, the tasty soup, and the perfect match between the noodles and the soup make it undeniably delicious in the classic sense. I think it's a bowl worth trying. Thank you for the meal.

Last Sunday, I went to Gogatsuyama Sports Center in Ikeda City for work after a long time. As usual, I forgot my umbrella and left it on a chair. They kindly kept it at the reception, so I went to pick it up on the following day after the typhoon had passed. Since the restaurant I usually go to in Gogatsuyama is closed on Sundays, I decided to visit my favorite restaurant "Aoi" in Ikeda. This restaurant frequently changes its menu, so you never know what to expect. This time, they were serving soy sauce tsukemen and a ramen with a focus on the broth. I arrived just before closing time for lunch. The staff informed me that many items were sold out, and only soy sauce tsukemen and the broth-focused ramen were available. I tried to order a dish that was previously delicious, but it was also sold out. So, I ended up ordering the ramen with just broth. The menu didn't list this option, but a paper posted in the restaurant mentioned it was available for 500 yen. I asked if I could add toppings, but they said it was served with only green onions. The owner and the customer engaged in a serious battle of taste preferences. The bowl that arrived had only green onions on top. The presentation was nice, but the ramen itself looked a bit plain, similar to instant noodles. However, the taste was amazing. The fish-based broth, made with multiple types of fish, was hot and rich with lard. It had a strong Japanese flavor, similar to a restaurant in Hirano called "Honda." The simple yet flavorful broth was made with natural ingredients and was satisfying until the last drop. The noodles, slightly thick and curly, had a smooth texture, possibly due to the lard. The burnt green onions on the surface added a punch to the soup. This small restaurant run by a cheerful lady and a quiet owner always impresses with their attention to detail and high-quality ingredients. Despite the simple presentation, the taste of the noodles alone was exceptional. I noticed burnt green onions floating on the surface, adding depth to the soup. This experience made me realize the skill of the owner, who is a true craftsman. Despite feeling like something was missing from my previous dining experiences, this simple yet delicious meal made me appreciate the efforts of popular restaurants that stick to their traditional menu. The professionalism of these chefs is truly impressive. After enjoying an unexpected meal, I stopped by Gogatsuyama Sports Center, retrieved my forgotten umbrella, and thanked them for keeping it safe.

I arrived at the restaurant at 11:30 AM and there were a few people waiting, but I was seated right away. The ramen was delicious and there was nothing to complain about, but it took a long time. The noodles didn't seem to take that long to cook, but it took 20 minutes. After finishing my meal and taking a sip of water, the staff quickly cleared my dishes from the table, making me feel rushed to leave. The customer service was not very pleasant.

Aoi, a delicious noodle shop located along Route 176 in Ikeda. This shop has been on my radar for a long time because it shares the same name as my son. Finally, I had the chance to visit since I was in the area. The shop is quite small with a coin parking lot across the street, where I parked and walked for about a minute. Inside, there is a two-person table and a counter with four seats. You order directly instead of using tickets. I ordered the soy sauce tsukemen in large size for 900 yen (normally 800 yen). My wife ordered the saury black ramen and a chashu rice bowl. First, the saury black soy sauce ramen! It had a great aroma. The curly noodles had a nice firmness to them. The chashu was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Next came the tsukemen. The noodles were delicious with a firm texture even though they were not thick. The dipping sauce had a generous amount of meat on top. The soup had a rich soy sauce color but wasn't overly salty, making it a fantastic broth. The noodles paired perfectly with it, and I quickly finished the large portion. It was a ramen shop that truly impressed me after a long time. And the chashu rice bowl was unexpectedly amazing. If I had known it would be this delicious, I would have visited sooner! I will definitely be coming back again!

I suddenly had a day off on June 25th, which made me happy, but my body couldn't keep up because of the accumulated chores. After finishing those, I headed to Ikeda for a quick check. I lined up at this place and ordered "large shoyu tsukemen, medium rice." I waited for about 5 minutes before I got a seat. It was an easy win. About 10 minutes later, my order arrived. The portion was generous. The dipping sauce was amazing, and the meat mountain was impressive. I transferred the meat to the noodles and slurped it up. It was delicious just as it is. I thought it would be good, and it was. Next, I dipped it in the sauce and slurped it up. This was also great, with a complex and deep flavor. The meat was also delicious. The broth didn't thin out until the end. I mixed the raw egg into the rice, topped it with the meat, and had a tasty TKG. I will definitely go back. Well then, thank you for the meal. Today's lunch: Large shoyu tsukemen, medium rice - 950 yen Parking fee - 400 yen

Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line Ishibashi-Hankaidaigaku-mae Station "Men-dokoro Aoi" Shoyu Tsukemen 800 yen A shoyu tsukemen with a refreshing taste centered on seafood aromas! The shoyu flavor has a deep taste with a balance of acidity and richness. The noodles are medium-thick and flat, providing a smooth texture and a nice chewiness. Topped with tender pork belly, there is plenty to enjoy with each bite of noodles.

I visited the restaurant right after it opened. I managed to get the last seat at the counter, and more people kept coming in, causing a short wait. I ordered the Sanma Black Ramen (700 yen) and the Char Siu Don (300 yen). Most people in the restaurant seemed to be ordering the soy sauce dipping noodles, which appeared to be the most popular. The dishes arrived after a short wait. The black soup had a strong fish powder aroma, with a rich seafood flavor that was not as heavy as it looked. It was delicious, with a nice hint of spiciness. The curly noodles paired well with it, and I finished both dishes, including the Char Siu Don. Thank you for the meal.