There are two kinds of people in this world: the kind whose eyes water from a modest dab of wasabi in their sushi, and the kind who always add extra spice to a dish at every opportunity. It’s hard to be of the latter group in Japan, where being overzealous with wasabi or shichimi chili powder can ruin the delicate flavours of dishes like hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice) or oden. Ramen, however, is one Japanese staple that holds up well to lots and lots of chili.
Most ramen joints will have at least one variation of spicy ramen, where a dollop of spicy miso gives the broth a nice kick of flavour, but not so spicy that you’ll have to put your chopsticks down mid-way in respite.
Afuri isn’t one of those joints.
からの、辛紅つけ麺の通販商品開発へ🍜🍜🍜 pic.twitter.com/rEMshDATtG
— AFURI辛紅 (@AFURI_kurenai) May 5, 2021
On top of its standard chicken dashi-based spicy yuzu ramen, the noodle joint now offers two kinds of karakurenai tsukemen noodles (from ¥980), where you choose from a heat level of zero to eight for the concentrated dipping broth. Spice levels zero through four are free, but there will be an additional charge of ¥50 to ¥110 when ordering levels five through eight. Both types of karakurenai tsukemen are very similar in taste, just that one features Afuri’s signature ingredient: yuzu.
What we love about this tsukemen is that it’s not all just numbing heat – although we have to caution you about the searing, stomach-burning, impossible-to-eat level eight. The dipping broth actually carries a complexity of flavours, which makes it a joy to eat, thanks to a blend of chili powder, fresh chili puree, chili oil and spicy miso, as well as a citrusy burst of yuzu. A fatty chunk of char siu (roast pork) and aji tamago (soft-boiled egg with a rich, gooey yolk) also help mellow out the searing heat of the dish. Trust us, we are addicted to these spicy, zesty noodles.
However, not every Afuri outlet offers the karakurenai tsukemen, so check the menu of individual shops before you go. You can get it at Afuri’s Roppongi Crossing outlet, or just go straight to Afuri Karakurenai in Shinjuku, which serves the fiery noodles exclusively.
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