Ramen arrives hot and ready at D.D.D. in Sasebo, Japan. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
D.D.D. is a cozy place to get a delicious bowl of ramen in Sasebo, Japan. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
D.D.D. serves a variety of ramen dishes a short walk from the train station in Sasebo, Japan. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)
From the main train station in the heart of bustling Sasebo, Japan, visitors can follow their noses to any number of worthwhile dining experiences.
The first along my journey turned out to be a ramen lover’s paradise.
D.D.D. offers more than a dozen takes on the popular noodle dish, along with some creative appetizers and drinks to pair with your meal.
The spot opened in 2011, according to its profile on mypl.net, and the owner has more than 20 years of experience cooking up rich flavorful broths for customers to contemplate and then devour.
Overwhelmed by the paralysis of choice, I asked the staff to recommend an appetizer, ramen and drink, then braced myself for the consequences of my indecision. They bragged about half-sized spicy fried rice and came to a consensus about the beef tan-mar ramen and homemade alcohol-free honey and lemon chu-hi to wash it all down.
The spicy fried rice (about $3) was hot but flavorful, with pebble-sized pieces of spam hidden in most bites. I needed the refreshing and calming honey from the chu-hi (about $5) to preserve my taste buds for the main dish.
The ramen (about $6) is available in three variations: Regular style with broth, soup-less style without broth but with an egg on top, and garlic and backfat style.
I went with regular style and was floored by the creamy and savory broth. If the beef had been served on the bone, it would have fallen off like a “tendernism” social-media reel, and the noodles provided a bite that complemented the textures and flavors of both.
I ran into a petty officer second class who’d been in Sasebo for only six days. Richard Gollen ordered the curry tan-mar ramen with a half-cooked egg and said he loved the spice and all the options the menu offered.
“The meal was a very good first meal in Japan,” he said. “I would definitely come back and recommend my friends come here as well.”
If you’re traveling in Nagasaki prefecture and are in the mood for ramen, D.D.D. is worth a detour.
D.D.D.
Location: 4-19 Kamikyo-cho, Sasebo City, 857-0872
Directions: A 15-minute walk from Sasebo Station on the Matsuura-Railway.
Hours: Open 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday.
Prices: The most expensive ramen is 1,311 yen, or about $8. Additional toppings cost between $1 and $4.25. Most appetizers are about $6.
Dress: Casual
Information: Phone: 70-5414-3989; Online: ramen-ddd.com
AloJapan.com