Finding Culinary Delight at Ramen 37/38 Minamiya

A delicious ramen shop near Nagai Koen station

6/16/20242 min read

A few days back, I had the pleasure of savoring a beautiful bowl of Chashu-miso Ramen at a small restaurant called Ramen 37/38 Minamiya. Situated in the very center of Osaka, this little gem reminded me of all the eateries I visited in Okinawa, which deepened my love for Japanese culture. The ramen menu is focused but not narrow; it's a concise list of five bowls that is both easily navigable and understandable amidst a landscape crowded with ramen shops, that honestly kinda overdo it with the add ons.

the Highlight: The service is attentive but certainly not intrusive, allowing you to relish and enjoy your meal in a relaxed setting.

Moving onto the main event—the ramen. I chose the spicy miso chashu ramen, which was served with good-sized slices of chunky, tender, and flavorful pieces of chashu.I personally am usually a bit apprehensive about chonky (yeah CHONKY say it like Mr. T) chashu, but this one hit the mark. There were also options for noodle thickness, thin and thick. My friend went for the thin noodles, while I had the thick ones. We both decided thick noodles were definitely the way to go, unless you just prefer the thinner kind. These thick noodles have a better mouthfeel and hold onto the soup better, enhancing the meal even more. Regardless, both types were delicious.

Now of course we washed down our meal with a cold beer—always a great choice on a hot day. And maybe it's just me but I think any visit to a ramen shop in Japan is incomplete without ordering gyoza, and those at Ramen 37/38 Minamiya aren't to be forgoten. They are both crispy and juicy, perfectly balanced. The exterior is perfectly balanced be tween soft and crunchy, while the inside is succulent, soft, and oozing with flavors in every bite. The interior meat isn't too heavily seasoned, savory, and not overpowering with garlic. Instead, all the flavors harmonize to elevate the meal, making each bite of these gyoza essential to your order.

Ramen 37/38 Minamiya Location:

2 Chome-12-14 Nagai, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, 558-0003

If you are in Osaka, go check out this great place. It's absolutely worth the drive if you want to find a truly delicious bite to eat.