Monday, June 13, 2011

tsurutontan top chefs

I've already told you that Daimaru Umeda did a total renovation of their department store, bringing in new vendors, shops, cafes.

One area that was totally renovated was their basement or the food hall...B2 to be exact.

Previously, they had groceries and some eating areas here but what they've recently brought in is a huge udon shop...Tsurutontan Top Chefs.

Don't you just love the name? I love saying "tsurutontan".

I don't think it has any relation to the popular television show ("Top Chef") in the States, but Tsurutontan is a Japanese udon chain.

The whole shop is white, giving it a chic look to it and everyone sits at a counter-type seat.

Satoshi started with some aburi sabazushi (browned mackerel sushi)...350 yen (about US$3.50).

He really enjoyed this, he said the flavor was nice and smoky.

The udon is served in these HUGE white bowls.

The food looks like a lot and it is.

Because the weather was humid, I ordered the reishabu (blanched pork) udon with spring vegetables and a ponzu (citrus soy) goma (sesame) dressing...1080 yen (about US$10.80)

This was served cold and was very refreshing. Lots of vegetables and the pork very tender.

Usually whenever you eat reishabu, there are two ways to eat it, with a goma dressing or with some ponzu and grated daikon, though this dish didn't serve grated daikon, it did give the two types of dressings.

Satoshi ordered the seafood curry udon...1180 yen (about US$11.80).

This was served hot and there was lots of seafood in there. If you click on the photo, you may be able to pick out a whole tako leg leg in there (the dark colored item, huge!).

He also ordered 1.5 serving of noodles which didn't add anything to the cost of his dish.

Oh and also with this dish you are given a paper bib, just in case while slurping your noodles, curry somehow splashes it won't dirty your clothing...um, what about the others eating around the curry person?? (ahem!)

We really liked this shop. It isn't traditional udon, but their food is tasty.

There are other items on their menu that we'd like to try here...we'll definitely be back.

Tsurutontan Top Chefs
Daimaru Umeda B2
Umeda, Osaka
Phone: 06.6451.0063

12 comments:

jalna said...

Making me hungry again!

Rowena said...

I love that bowl!!!!

K and S said...

hope you get something to eat Jalna :)

huge but nice, Rowena :)

Take care you two.
Kat

OkiHwn said...

I dunno about the cost of the seafood curry udon for nearly US$15...even if there was an extra half order of noodles.

K and S said...

cannot tell from the photo but had a lot of seafood in there Nate.

Take care.
Kat

Patzie said...

Reishabu looks so good.
I like mine with goma sauce :)

Kirk said...

Hi Kat - It again goes to show how lousy chain food is here in the US!

K and S said...

me too Patzie, I like goma sauce :)

sorry to hear that Kirk, hope something fabulous comes your way!

Take care you two.
Kat

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Delicious.... I need to eat fancy food, not my food... ;-)

K and S said...

we eat out quite often Nami :) I am lucky because I don't have to cook.

Take care.
Kat

K said...

The reishabu looks great! I'm going to have to try to make something like that at home for dinner this week

K and S said...

I think if you prep things the night before it should be easier to throw together K :)

Take care.
Kat