Walk from the station to the memory.

Passing through the ticket gates of Kintetsu Fuse Station and passing through the shopping street, the sign for “Hosomi Shoten” stands alone.
It is not particularly flashy, nor is it plain, but it blends in so well with the town that it is so naturalistic that you might miss it.
But the moment you open the door, the atmosphere changes.

The kitchen smells of soup. The short conversations over the counter and the steamy air.
It was the lunchtime scene of people living in this town.

The memory of barley miso becomes soup.

Hosomi Shoten’s “Golden Barley Miso Ramen”.
The moment you hear its name, a faint sweetness comes back to your mouth.

The miso used is barley miso made in Ehime, the owner’s hometown.
Combined with the chicken and pork bone broth, it creates a nostalgic yet core dish.

The sweetness of the miso does not end at mere richness, but melts into the soup over time.
The sweetness of the miso does not end with the richness of the soup, but melts over time, and the chopped onions appear midway through the soup, adding a slightly bitter accent.
And the thickly sliced sangen pork chashu pork makes its presence felt like a feast.

Fuse Black, the other side of Fuse Black, as known by those in the know.

Another mainstay of the restaurant, Fuse Black, is hidden in the shadow of Kin no Mugi Miso Ramen.

Looking into the bowl, the soup is deep and dark. However, it is surprisingly clear in the mouth.
The soup is a combination of chicken stock and seafood broth, and it glides smoothly down the throat without being heavy.
Whenever I smell the yuzu peel, I am reminded of the atmosphere of that restaurant.

Black but light” is a bit unfair.

The noodles are from a long-established noodle shop in Kyoto.

Hosomi Shoten uses square straight thick noodles from “Menya Teigaku” in Kyoto.
The noodles are chewy and firm, and have a presence that is as strong as the soup.
The noodles may look rugged, but they are a perfect match for the soup.

The soup and noodles feel comfortable as you slurp down each mouthful.
This “just right” feeling may be what gives you a sense of satisfaction after finishing the meal.

This is what a pleasant restaurant is all about!

The store is staffed mainly by young people.
They are all moving without wasting time, exchanging light banter behind the counter.
Greetings and replies are not overly formal, but convey a sense of genuine feeling.
By the time I finished my meal, I felt that my back was somehow straightened.

It’s not just the taste of the ramen. It’s not just the taste of the ramen, but the atmosphere as well, that makes you fall in love with it.

The Strength of Unchanging

Perhaps the reason this restaurant has been selected as one of the “100 Best Ramen Restaurants in OSAKA” for two consecutive years is not the specifications.
The rich miso, the pitch-black soup, and the Kyoto-style noodles are all great, of course.
But I think the most important reason is the fact that it is still there.

An everyday treat. A reward for a day of hard work.
A place to rest your soul on an ordinary day.
It’s just that it’s there in the form of ramen noodles.

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There are surprisingly few restaurants that I would probably go back to.
Not only because of the taste, but also because of the atmosphere, the temperature, and other memorable things.
Hosomi Shoten is one such restaurant.