Ranten, a noodle and salad restaurant, has just opened in Hanadate, Higashi-ku!          Located in a building owned by the fishmonger “Uosei”, it offers salads and many other dishes featuring fresh fish and seafood!  Ranten is committed to using quality ingredients, and this time we had a chance to try their light and flavorful Dan Dan Noodles!

Relocated and Opened in Hanadate, Higashi-ku! “Ranten – House of Dan Dan Noodles & Salads”

 Ranten made its debut in Hanadate,Higashi-ku back in April 2021. This spot used to be a Chinese restaurant nestled in Mashiki Town before it found its new home here. Conveniently located right next to “Uosei,” known for its fresh fish, it’s a place where you can pop in and enjoy a meal on site.

With an interior so stylish you’d be tempted to exclaim, “Is this a cafe?!”, it appears the proprietress intentionally designed it to be welcoming for women dining alone.

 Plus, the availability of both power outlets and Wi-Fi is great. It’s not often you find a place where you can use both. 

Let’s recharge our devices while digging into some Dan Dan Noodles!

 Light and Refreshing Dan Dan Noodles

The signature dish is Dan Dan Noodles, priced at 880 yen (tax included). It features a generous variety of five different vegetables. The amount of noodles and the level of spiciness can be adjusted, so those with smaller appetites or those who aren’t fans of spicy food can feel at ease.

 You can also choose from four different types of salad. The “Uosei Salad,” accompanied by fresh fish sourced from Uosei, is a unique offering given the restaurant’s location.

 This time, I tried out the Dan Dan Noodles with the “Uosei Salad”.

 Here we have the Dan Dan Noodles paired with the “Uosei Salad.”

 The salad boasts a generous mix of eight different vegetables, and it’s even sprinkled with a bit of okara (soy pulp). 

 But what steals the spotlight is the fresh fish – horse mackerel, on this day. The homemade dressing enhances the flavors, ensuring every bite is delightful and satisfying. 

 For the Dan Dan Noodles, they use sesame paste made in-house from toasted sesame seeds. It’s topped with minced meat, and a variety of vegetables including komatsuna, carrots, bean sprouts, red cabbage, and green onions (OR scallions). 

 The soup is seasoned with soy sauce and enhanced with rice vinegar, giving it a tangy flavor. Despite the rich sesame paste, it feels light on the palate. 

Often, the richness of Dan Dan Noodles can make it feel heavy, but this one maintains a sense of lightness and healthiness.

The noodles are thick egg noodles, and they pair perfectly with the soup.

Wrapping these noodles with plenty of minced meat, vegetables, and soup creates an unbeatable flavor. The minced meat tends to settle at the bottom, so don’t hesitate to scoop it up! The dish is so delightful that you’ll find your chopsticks moving non-stop! 

 It tastes so light and healthy that you can even finish off the soup. Finishing all the soup can be quite a challenge with Dan Dan Noodles, but the one at “Ranten” is refreshingly light, making it possible.

Takeout Options

The owner showcases a commitment to quality starting with the ingredients, using not only fresh fish from Uosei, but also high-quality products such as rapeseed oil from Sakamoto Seiyu and tofu from Mushin Foods, all sourced locally whenever possible.

 They have a display fridge where they offer a variety of Chinese ready-to-eat dishes and ingredients used in their recipes. 

 Plus, there’s a convenient arrangement with the neighboring Uosei and Tobu Liquor Store – you can bring items between these places. So, once the evening operations are back, you could bring dishes from Ranten to Tobu Liquor Store, or even bring along your favorite drink from the liquor shop into Ranten! How delightful is that?

 Definitely Try the Healthy and Delicious Dan Dan Noodles!

 The Dan Dan noodles at “Ranten” are truly something special. While you can distinctly taste the rich flavor of sesame, the dish remains light and delightfully palatable! 

 Pair it with the unique fresh fish offerings of the locale, and you’ve got a restaurant well worth recommending!

RantenHouse of Dan Dan Noodles & Salads