Slaphappy P.
Yelp
I want to add to my previous review after a second visit.
What I was most impressed with were their hand stretched cut home made wheat noodles. Sloppy, raggedy cutting, but I guess that's to clue you in: "Hey! I'm rustic, dammit". And oh what noodles! Perfect bite, cooked just so to absorb the broth. I am honestly surprised I think so much of them. Other than fresh udon, I never thought there could be such a BIG difference.
Bigguy Hand Stretch Noodle. What? Stretch Armstrong in a broth?
Well I give it up to the Bigguy.
I couldn't get over the broth. The flavors were so well balanced they were hard to separate. Yes, cilantro, maybe a bit of cinnamon or five spice. But there was a slight sour taste that really pulled it all together. Topped with thin slices of wonderful char chiu.
Interrogating our server yielded no clues to the flavor mystery. Nothing sour added, no black vinegar, nothing. Only a miso base.
Ok. Got home, put on my Nancy Drew hat and started searching. Possibilities: One site says yellow miso has a slightly sour taste (it was slight, but using at home I never noticed). A reddit says old over fermented miso can be sour (spoiled). Another says when used with katsuabushi that is over-boiled a sour taste can result.
So fail. No matter what, I hope they keep doing what they are doing and thank you!
Also had to get yaki again. A few kinds available, but went again with "squid feet" as opposed to bodies or "heads". Maybe heads some day when I'm feeling lucky. I like them because of not only the squid taste, but mostly the BBQ slathered on them....and the little bits of dried chilis giving a different crunch. You chew and you chew, and you enjoy and enjoy.
Found out this spot has been around for years. I know why.