Menya Musashi Niten Ichiryu

Sawtelle

New Menya Musashi Niten Ichiryu on Sawtelle.

Interior is a bit darker than most. And kind of cramped.

Tsukumen with pork katsu and char shu.

Tsukumen is supposed to be strong broth, but this was a too salty.

Lots of wall art.

Exposed kitchen.

Crazy wait outside at 7:15pm.

Yet another ramen spot replacing a failed ramen spot on Sawtelle. Menya Musashi is known for a crazy rich, salty fish-and-pork tsukumen broth that doesn't quite hit the spot for me, as it was just too salty. Noodles are good quality but the texture wasn't quite right, maybe slightly overcooked or improperly cooled?

I can see why some love it, and to be fair, it's probably good enough to be second only to Tsujita for tsukumen on Sawtelle. Just wish the space was better. It's a very crowded patio outside, and a stark contrast (compared to outside) of dark walls and lighter colored wood inside (that's still crowded!). The feel would be appropriate at an underground Tokyo subway station, but on Sawtelle, it doesn't quite work, especially with their massive crowd waiting to get in...