Takeuchi’s version of thick, flat and chewy Sanuki udon – the signature dish of Shikoku’s Kagawa prefecture – has been attracting a constant stream of noodle-enjoyers to the back streets of Nakatsu since 2006. The small shop’s secret is in its craftsmanship and attention to detail, which encompasses everything from sourcing top-quality wheat and other ingredients from trusted suppliers to pairing the noodles with juicy, mouth-watering bits of tempura.
Their signature dish is the Toriten Bukkake, a bowl of freshly made Sanuki udon and chicken tempura in a rich and flavourful soy sauce-based broth. Other popular offerings range from basics such as wakame udon to the lightly flavoured Toridashi Tsukemen, in which the noodles and chicken-based dipping broth are served separately. The curry udon with chicken tempura is also worth consideration.
At lunchtime, when the shop fills up with office workers from throughout the Umeda area, they offer a selection of reasonably priced set meals with rice-based dishes such as magurodon (tuna sashimi over rice).