Today's TokyoLume Food Adventure!
Still wandering around Umeda, as always...
To be honest, Umeda isn't really my favorite place. Coming up from the south on the Midosuji Line, that long transfer between Yodoyabashi and Umeda station always makes it feel like I'm traveling to the far north.
Anyway, the weather in Osaka is getting chilly these days.
And when it gets cold, what comes to mind? Soup and rice, of course!
But since we're in Japan, and people here generally prefer noodles in their soup rather than rice... It's noodle time.
Personally, I've always liked clear, light broth soups in Korea. But most Japanese ramen broths are a bit too heavy and rich for my taste. It took many disappointing bowls, but I finally found a ramen shop that suits me!
Today, we're heading to Kamukura Ramen — not the original Dotonbori branch, but the one in Umeda.
Here's Umeda. I snapped a pic of that relaxed green man in the distance — jealous of his peace.
The Kamukura shop is on the 8th floor of LUCUA. Unlike the Dotonbori location, this one has a different system: you order and pay at the counter near the entrance, then take a seat wherever you like and hand your receipt to the kitchen.
Kamukura, KAMUKURA, 神座, Shinza... So many ways to read the name. Even if you read it phonetically in hiragana, it still sounds like "Shinza." So why is it called Kamukura? What does the name mean?
Naturally, I had to look it up. According to their official site:
"Kamukura" refers to the seat where the most respected person sits. In other words, a sacred, honored place.
http://kamukura.co.jp/en/taste/
It seems the company chose this name to show how much they value creating a space where customers feel honored and respected. What a thoughtful, meaningful name.
Now, let's see what this sacred space looks like.
...Cue dramatic sound effect.
Fixed bar stools, huh? I guess we're not exactly sitting on thrones here. I took a seat in the corner. Not quite my ideal vibe, but let's see how the food holds up.
I ordered the basic ramen and some chicken karaage. Always start with the basics!
Here it is — that familiar aroma!
The setup is simple: spoon placed sideways, chopsticks in the black container above. You grab your own disposable chopsticks.
Ramen + karaage = solid combo. (Originally came with four pieces, but I already ate one before the photo...)
The karaage was excellent: crispy outside, moist and tender inside, with no unpleasant smell. A highly satisfying side dish!
In front of me: minced garlic, chili pepper powder, and a few simple condiments. I usually go for the pure taste, so I didn’t add anything this time. But I do sometimes enjoy it with garlic.
Before the ramen even arrived, I'd already drunk a third of my beer. Then came the soup...
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
That clean, light flavor. That’s the taste that keeps bringing me back to Kamukura.
Unlike most Japanese ramen shops, Kamukura's broth is more like a warm cabbage soup — light, refreshing, and distinctly different.
So, what's their secret?
http://kamukura.co.jp/en/taste/
Kamukura has a unique system: they have official "Soup Sommeliers," and even hold yearly exams to certify them.
Their broth is supposedly a mix of French culinary technique and Japanese ramen tradition. (Yes, really — French!)
It's especially popular among kids and women, likely due to its gentler, cleaner taste.
The main ingredient that stands out? Cabbage.
They use napa cabbage grown in Nara. It adds a refreshing sweetness that balances the soy sauce base.
The result: a broth that feels more like a vegetable soup than a pork-heavy one.
Check out their official explanation here:
They describe it as a delicate soup with Chinese cabbage, thin noodles, hints of onion and soy sauce, and a lot of vegetables.
http://kamukura.co.jp/en/material/soup/
I can confirm — the veggie volume is impressive!
After finishing, I looked back at the menu. Turns out I ordered menu item #8: the most basic option, casually named "Delicious Ramen."
No regrets. Solid choice.
Today’s meal was a satisfying one.
See you next time~~~~~~~~~