As the good paradoxal thinker that I am I decided, in the very week of the opening of the new Namamen in Basel (the second to date) in the new “event hall” of the Basel Messe, to write a report about the original Basel Namamen Ramenbar. It is located between Barfüsserplatz and Bankverein in the center of Basel. If you have never been there, and also if you’ve been there, it’s definitely a must-go place. A friendly staff of young cooks and waiters will group-great you as soon as you pass the door, a funny habit giving me every time a little warmy feeling in my tummy, and an awkward smile on my face. :-)

Once in, the nice modern, yet japanese influenced lounge-style of this Ramenbar will certainly please you. You may choose to sit at the counter, looking at the cooks at work while enjoying your food, or if you prefer go and sit at a table for a more intimate experience with you partner or friends. Service is usually really fast, as soon as you’ve been seated you can choose your menu and order. The kitchen is really fast too, so within minutes of your ordering you’ll have your big bowl of Ramen noodles in front of you, ready to be enjoyed. Ah yes, I have forgotten to mention this before: Namamen is a Ramenbar (the name says it all, Namamen means fresh noodles), which means that their specialty is Ramen. Ramen are japanese noodles (even though they were first invented in China and then brought to Japan, but as it seems historians have a bit of a debate over the exact facts and also the origin of the name) served dipped in a big bowl of broth. At Namamen you have the choice between three different broths (Soja, Miso oder Shio) and three types of noodles (Ramen, Udon oder Soba). Once you have chosen these two main ingredients you still need to finalize your dish by choosing additional ingredients such as seafood, gyoza, squid, chashu, beef, chicken, vegetables, egg, and more. A series of side dishes are also available to complement your dining experience, such as a few sushi and a few different skewers. Unless you are a very sporty dude or some eating champion or really really hungry I don’t think you’re gonna need a side dish because the noodle soups are big, especially if like me you still follow what your mama told you as a kid and always finish the whole soup including drinking all the broth. But that’s actually a good thing, because it makes the price worth it. Not only do they make really good and healthy food, but also one can really eat at one’s fill at Namamen.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this small report Namamen have been so successfull with their two first restaurants (Basel and Bern) that they are opening a third one in Basel in the new event hall designed by the Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron. I am really looking forward to go and check it out!