Eat in Budapest

It’s been more than 2 years ago when I read the first acknowledgements about Momotaro Ramen which captured my imagination through its originality and good value aspects, according to the late matula.hu fanzine. 2 years used to be more than sufficient with Budapest standards to experience major degradation in food and service and general quality decrease in any restaurant in Budapest but I have good news: despite some minor faults Momotaro Ramen is still an authentic place to eat relatively quickly.

The interior remained unchanged since the socialist era and the service is a bit old-fashioned too (in Hungary it means harsh).

Portions are huge, the only disappointment was frozen sea-food mix used for the soup.

Due to its quality, location and affordability I’d recommend this place to tourists and locals, those who are looking for authenticity in eastern cuisine. 

 

 

 

 

Review
It was far from love at first sight; I learned liking it though by now. I’m at the peak of my learning curve, to be more precise but I’m not sure about the angle of the next dots. It was triggered initially by a second-hand authentic source’s recommendation. First, the interior did not meet my expectations. Yes, I’m such a shallow person. Then all those rubbishy plastic boxes and plates…Their food must be really exciting, I thought.
I was warned that the service is horrible, which I found very funny instead. I am very sensitive about service quality but I actually enjoy the low-tone speaking of the two waiters and they’re very responsive, polite and sufficiently attentive. Any shy. First you could find this style annoying but you really start enjoying it when you realize that they are not just pretending it.
But their sushi wasn’t really that exceptional. I was always on a budget though, so probably I could have put together a fantastic menu if I wasn’t. Instead, I still tend to go for the bentos. The tempura are usually colder than they should be, but everything else compensate for this. The sashimi is always perfectly fresh, and so are the fishes. The salad is perfectly seasoned and crisp, the mizo soup, well it’s only mizo soup but very tasty. The only degradation is the small piece of fried sausage, served along with the tempura. Or maybe this is just the result of a sophisticated sense of humor?
The funniest thing though is the couple with their child at the table besides us. They’re Asians, dressed smart casual and the lady does not stop chatting on the phone, while the husband does not lose its temper. Suddenly I realize she speaks Hungarian, with a typical eastern accent, trilling. I only notice after her 5th call that she introduces herself “Piroska”. I wish I could bring an British equivalent of this funny name, very rarely used and I haven’t met anyone under 40 named like that. How she became Piroska, I have no clue.
Part of the cuisine staff is Japanese, as proved by the sight of the kitchen separated from the eating hall only by a counter filled with excellent fresh raw material. All other members look equally devoted.