Local Eats Japan

Bazoku focuses on mainly Japanese renditions of Chinese food, but they make it way more approachable in the approach, and they also make their own noodles as well as dumpling dough. 

You can actually see them on the side of the restaurant making it as they have a window there, but these were definitely some of the best noodles I have had in Japan. 

Their elasticity was incredible, and it felt like they would break no matter how hard I tried to cut through it with my chopsticks (not in an overcooked way, but rather a perfectly done al dente kind of way). 

I saw that a lot of people around me were ordering just plain ramen, and while I am sure it is good, I knew that I could get it anywhere else. 

This is why I opted for something that isn’t super common, which is “Mabo-men” or Mabo-tofu noodles. 
I mentioned rendition earlier because I don’t think that this is a Chinese dish, but they instead combined the two by placing mabo-tofu on top of their handmade noodles. 

They mabo-tofu were the perfect spice level, and this is coming from someone who thinks too much sriracha on something gives me the sudden urge to drink something to wash it out, so do not worry. 

Even though it was a tofu dish, they also put a generous amount of ground beef in there which I also enjoyed and once you mixed everything together in this dish it went in perfect harmony together. 

It really goes to show you how much the quality of the noodles can make a difference. 

The gyoza as well, being made from the same dough they made the noodles out of, were amazing. 

It reminded me of good bread. You almost feel like putting something on it is a sin and will take away from the taste, and I almost felt the same way here except they did an excellent job of making sure that their dough was the star, and the filling was just a backup component supporting it (though still delicious). 

Since here I have yet to had anything similar, and though I am sure it is out there, I question if they are making it as mild, and or/using their own noodles. 

The good thing about Japan is that the noodle production companies are very solid, and oftentimes supply a lot of restaurants (especially in the case of ramen). But, because of this, it is very rare to see a restaurant still making their own, and this is why they often-times will have a window or something where you can see them doing it because it is a marketing point. 

The inside of the restaurant was basic with both small tables and counter seats, and the staff were very accommodating. I am sure that if you had a few too many people the staff would gladly combine tables for you. 

The restaurant is right in front of Nippori station so you can’t miss it, and I think it is the perfect warm taste of how Japan turns literally any dish into perfection. They also have a location in Asakusa too!

If you are a fan of noodles, and want a place where they are the star of the show, then Bazoku is the perfect spot.

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