Tengu

Come for the ramen, stay for the small plates.Let me SHOYU a little something-something from Tengu. The newest kid on Stockholm's ramen block, Tengu comes from the guys that brought us the likes of Schmaltz Delicatessen, Cafe Nizza and Babette - the last of which is one of my absolute favourite spots in this fine city. As if that wasn't enough to set the siren sounding, they have paired up with Jonas Lindgren of Totemo Ramen, my go-to place when I am pining for a piping hot bowl of noodle-y Japanese comfort. Needless to say, my expectations were high. ✨Menu-wise, there is a selection of snacks and small plates designed to share, as well as four choices of ramen: shoyu, shio, miso and spicy niboshi. The former section has a creative streak that largely seeks to highlight the use of their charcoal grill; whereas the latter leans towards more 'traditional' flavours, or whatever that means from a ramen sense. What I do know for sure is that the bowls come in two sizes, which enables one to go to town on the small plate section and still have stomach space to crush a bowl in its entirety - noodles, soup, toppings and all. 🍜As to be expected, the ramen was really good. The salt seasoning of the chicken-based broth made for a deeply savoury, clean tasting liquid that allowed the intriguing oceanic undercurrent imparted by the niboshi - or Japanese dried anchovy - to really shine. Light but powerful stuff.However, it was the parade of small plates that sidled in and unexpectedly stole the show for me. The turbot crudo, grilled pointed cabbage and BBQ duck hearts were particular standouts; although I didn't even manage half of the items that were simply screaming my name because, alas, we didn't have the manpower. I am a definite ramen-tic...but it is these that will have me coming back for more. 💥Oh, and for the rumoured tori paitan, the chicken-based cousin of the ubiquitous creamy-come-rich pork bone broth, which so happens to be my ramen style of preference. 🐽