JPN: Wakashachiya (若鯱家)
Heart-warming Nagoya curry udon!
Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, Wakashachiya is a restaurant chain known mainly for its curry udon (Japanese wheat flour noodle). My first memorable encounter was actually at its outlet inside The Central at Clarke Quay, which closed down many years ago. Naturally, I was thrilled to be reunited with it upon reaching Nagoya.
At the point of writing, there are more than 40 outlets across Japan and overseas, with more than half located in the Aichi Prefecture. My BFF and I ordered two noodle sets, each coming with a choice of mini rice bowl.
Kishimen and Mini Don Set ¥1,340 (~S$11.70)
Kishimen - Taste: 7.5/10
Mini Dote Don - Taste: 7/10
The Japanese writing of the dish on the menu is 鯱風きしめんとミニ丼セット. Firstly, let's talk about kishimen: Nagoya specialty of flat and wide udon served in a light soy sauce-based broth. Offering a more delicate bite than the usual udon, the noodle was topped with fried tofu, fish cakes, dried bonito flakes and spring onions. I also tried dote don, another regional dish featuring pork giblets cooked in fermented soybean paste and sweet rice cooking wine.
Curry Set A ¥1,310 (~S$11.40)
Curry Udon - Taste: 8/10
Mini Shirasu Don - Taste: 6/10
The Japanese writing of the dish on the menu is カレーセットA. The thick and chewy udon was immersed in velvety and mildly spiced curry, delivering a comforting warmth with a slightly sweet and savoury profile. Adding to the texture were fried tofu, fish cakes and onions. On the side, the rice bowl topped with with shirasu (Japanese whitebait), grated radish and a drizzle of ponzu wasn't too shabby, but the fish could be fresher. Pika's advice: Instead of udon, you can opt for kishimen in your curry.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 7/10
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Somehow, the curry udon felt exceptionally good when I first tried it in Singapore. Perhaps it was the novelty of the experience, but it left a lasting impression that stayed with me through the years.
Wakashachiya
(若鯱家)
1-1 Centrair
4/F Chubu Centrair International Airport
Nagoya, Aichi
Japan
(Daily: 6.30am - 10.00pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
Comments