sanokuni
Bassanova @ Shindaita ● Green Curry Tsukemen 225g 1350 yen ● Nikumeshi 480 yen
Located a 2-minute walk from Shin-Daita Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, in Setagaya-ku along the Koshu-kaido Avenue, is the popular ramen shop "Bassanova." It is known for its ethnic-style ramen such as Green Curry, Tom Yum Kung, and Laksa, as well as its tsukemen. The shop is recognizable by its vibrant orange walls and is also a favorite spot of actor and singer Masaki Suda, who introduced it as his go-to ramen shop on the TV show "Pittanko Kan-Kan" in 2017.
The shop was opened in 2004 as a second branch of a pork bone ramen shop called "Chikugo Ramen Basaraka" in Harajuku (which has since closed). The owner, who used to run the original shop, added the word "Nuovo" meaning "new" to the name to create "Bassanova" for the rebranding in Shin-Daita. In 2020, a second branch was opened in Harajuku, and in July 2023, a third branch was opened in Kyoto. The shop used to have a branch in New York's Manhattan, which was popular, but has since closed.
The interior of the shop has a cafe-like atmosphere, making it welcoming for solo female customers. There is a ticket machine at the entrance, and the menu includes popular ethnic-style ramen such as "Green Curry Soba" (1200 yen), "Tom Yum Kung Soba" (1200 yen), and "Laksa Soba" (1250 yen), each available in both ramen and tsukemen. Other non-ethnic flavors include "Tonkotsu Soba" (980 yen), "Tonkotsu and Washi Dashi Soba" (980 yen), and "Tsukemen" (1050 yen), as well as various toppings, side dishes like rice dishes and gyoza, and a wide selection of alcoholic beverages.
Nearby is the live house "FEVER," so the concept is to enjoy ramen or tsukemen after a live show while having a drink. The ramen and tsukemen are available in small portions as well. I chose the "Green Curry Tsukemen" (1350 yen), which had a rich and flavorful soup base made with pork bone broth, coconut milk, nam pla, curry spices, and plenty of dried fish. The noodles were slightly wavy, medium-thick, and had a smooth texture. The toppings included chicken chashu, bamboo shoots, baby leaf, shredded red chili, and fried green onions.
Originally a pork bone ramen specialty shop, the owner's experience in Chinese and ethnic cuisine led to the creation of the popular dishes that are now the shop's signature items. I also ordered the "Nikumeshi" (480 yen) from the side menu, which featured grilled pork belly chashu with a savory sauce on rice. It was a delicious accompaniment to the ramen and could also be enjoyed as curry rice by mixing it with the leftover soup.