Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san – episode 11 – [Review/Recap]

By: v.o.lynnThe focus of this episode is Osaka Ramen and the introduction of Ayane, with the added benefit of Yuu backstory and ramen education. This episode has a really sweet moment talking about the Ramen-focused small business owners who continually improve their processes, leading to more reasons to explore the soup all over Japan.(SPOILERS BELOW, PER USUAL)

Part 1 – Tasty Ramen

Yuu desperately wants to recreate the flavor of a Ramen that she had in Osaka as a little girl. While part of it is to impress Koizumi-san, it’s clear that she was also a fan when she was younger, too. Her curiosity up (and desire to share it with Koizumi-san as strong as ever), she texts her brother for info about the ramen they tried in Osaka as kids.Of course, when he texts back “Tasty Ramen”, she doesn’t believe him.Never one to pass up a free bowl of ramen, Koizumi adds herself to the conversation, and confirms the name of the ramen eatery and location as being in Osaka, but also that there’s a Tokyo branch as well.Pretty much everything else is as you might expect: they go, they have Ramen, but Koizumi appears sad (or is it dissatisfied?) after her bowl has emptied. Time for another Ramen Road-Trip! 

Part 2 – Osaka

Another member of the Osawa family, Ayane, happens to see Koizumi around town in Osaka – first at a Ramen place (because Koizumi) and then being hit on continuously by guys in such a way that she cannot move past them.  Ayane intervenes, and after Koizumi tells her not to take for granted the rich history of Ramen in Osaka’s area, offers to be her bodyguard. Koizumi still has four restaurants to hit, and having an adult nearby lowers her chance of being “some cute girl walking alone”.So, after some “convincing” by another “flirty boy” attack, Koizumi accepts, and off they head to Ramen. The ramen we see isn’t the traditional “Osaka Black” (covered in a previous episode but is a collection of newer ramen places that Koizumi slated for her trip. Paitan (while not strictly described in the series, is made using fats and bone marrow) and Char siu (a clear broth) are Koizumi’s goal. Koizumi’s interactions with Ayane start much like those with Yuu, but unlike Yuu, Ayane listens slightly better to Koizumi’s needs for silence at times. As the episode carries on, Koizumi's conversation feels a bit more casual with Ayane, similar to how Koizumi interacts with Jun (as opposed to when she interacts with Yuu). Ayane addresses Koizumi with a “chan” diminutive, similar to a little sister or a dear friend.One more episode before the series finale. Here's hoping it's a good one.