Dashi Takes Center Stage: Tsuruhan’s Recommended Meat Udon and the Secret of Its Broth

The single biggest factor in a great bowl of udon is, without question, the dashi. A broth that brings out the firmness of the noodles and the umami of the toppings to the fullest, one you want to drink to the very last drop — finding a dashi like that is a special joy.

This time we introduce the dashi philosophy of Mendokoro Tsuruhan in Namba CITY, Osaka, and the outstanding dishes born from that superb broth and carefully selected meat.

1. You can tell from the first sip: Tsuruhan’s signature dashi

What Tsuruhan values above all is making the aroma and umami of the dashi the star of the bowl.

• Refined umami drawn from select ingredients Carefully drawn from select Japanese ingredients such as kombu and shaved bonito, the dashi is clean, rich and deep. The aroma rising from the bowl alone is enough to whet your appetite.
• A harmony that never tires, to the last sip Never overpowering, yet never overshadowed by the toppings — an exquisite balance. Combined with the noodles and toppings, each brings out the best in the other, leaving a gentle, deep aftertaste that has you finishing the whole bowl before you know it.

2. Where dashi and meat melt together: the ultimate niku udon lineup

Tsuruhan’s other specialty is its menu of meat dishes that pair perfectly with the signature dashi. Here are some recommendations that bring out the best of each ingredient.

■ Wagyu Beef Udon / Wagyu Beef Bukkake

The restaurant’s signature dish, generous with Japanese Black wagyu. In the hot udon, the wagyu’s fine fat and mellow sweetness melt into the warm dashi for a rich flavor that deepens with every bite. In the cold bukkake, you enjoy the firm chew of chilled noodles and the umami of the wagyu straight up.

■ Osaka’s famous Kasu Udon

A bowl topped with aburakasu — slowly deep-fried beef intestine — a traditional Osaka flavor. Crisp and fragrant on the outside, springy and savory inside, the aburakasu slowly releases its rich fat into the dashi. The light dashi and the richness of the aburakasu combine into an addictive taste.

■ Concentrated umami: Nikusui Udon & Niku Tsuke-Udon

Nikusui, an Osaka classic, combined with udon: the umami of the meat spreads through the whole broth and warms you to the core. The generously portioned niku tsuke-udon, where you dip the noodles into a sweet-savory meat broth, is a deeply satisfying choice.

3. When you crave truly great udon in Namba

Mendokoro Tsuruhan Namba CITY is directly connected to Nankai Namba Station (Namba CITY Main Bldg. B2F), so you can enjoy authentic udon whenever the mood strikes.

Savoring a carefully crafted bowl wrapped in the aroma of dashi is a special moment. If you love udon or dashi, come and taste the difference for yourself.

Restaurant information (Mendokoro Tsuruhan Namba CITY)

• Address: Namba CITY Main Bldg. B2F, 5-1-60 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
• Access: Directly connected to Nankai Namba Station / a short walk from Namba Station on the Midosuji subway line
• Hours: 11:00 ～ 22:00（L.O. 21:00）
• Closed: Follows Namba CITY’s closing days