Takumi

Takumi is a one star Michelin restaurant on one of the side streets in Nishiazabu. It is a small restaurant with only six tables with simple yet elegant decor. We had an opportunity to try this place since we had a gift certificate for their Furusato Nozei course using ingredients from Shiranuka Town in Hokkaido prefecture. The food and service here is Michelin quality. Everything we got, both seafood and meat dishes, were delicious and beautifully prepared. We were also surprised at the amount of deserts that we got. In addition to the palate cleanser and the main dessert, we got another tray of petit four and three out of the four were almost as big as a single dessert. We were definitely full after the meal and were glad that we were walking for almost half a hour after we had left the restaurant. What also sets this restaurant apart is that they bring you a card with the descriptions of each dish as they come out and don’t spend a long time providing an explanation about each dish. While this is a great restaurant, this place is not for everyone. For one thing it is very quiet so it may feel a bit awkward for some people. For example, when we got seated at our table, it took about 15 minutes for us to place our drink orders and then get the drinks because there were only two waitstaff, but it felt a little uncomfortable because it was so quiet and we felt like we couldn’t really talk during those first fifteen minutes. The noise level got better as the night progressed and we got our food, but I would say the restaurant is still pretty quiet compared to average.

Michelin 1 star restaurant - better be good, and it was good. For every dish the chef prepares a written explanation together with a sample of real aroma (I.e. a leave of basil) in a small bottle, for every dish, so we can smell before eating. Simply amazing amount of preparation. Wine paring (but expensive, but within expectation of the 1 star) is really well selected, too. My 3rd visit - worth coming back from time to time.

I’ve found when a restaurant is rated #1 it’s flooded with tourists who don’t know what they’re eating but do the most reviews so it stays #1. This was no exception. The ramen was good but I’ve had better in Düsseldorf, particularly at their sister restaurant, Takumi Tonkatsu where I usually go. And especially in Osaka, which this was nothing like. The noodles were excellent and the broth was fine. But there were too many ingredients for the broth. And it was served lukewarm. The egg was still cold. The flavor was fine but not nearly as rich and complex as I’ve had at many others. Luckily the service was great so it didn’t take long. I ordered the Takumi Spezial miso. The clientele seemed to be exclusively tourist. Their sister restaurant seemed to be mostly Japanese. It’s good but hardly #1.

I was surprized, that there was no such range of ramens I saw in pictures here. According that and good reviews I chose it to try. I found a manu on a table only with two soups...red or white and you may chose basic, with extra chicken and with extra somekind ingrediente. So needed chose only one of two. Taste of soup was only average. You may find close to it better place with biger range to choose, better taste and much cheeper. BTW, they forgot my ordered beer, after remind they brought to me.