Hiroshima-style tsukemen with chili heat up to 30 times the normal level

▲ Hiroshima-style tsukemen from つけ麺本舗 辛部, with spiciness levels that can go up to 30 times the base level.

Text and photos byJeff, who owns a demon named Badou

Jeff isn’t a ramen addict, but he’s definitely a fan. Whenever he comes across delicious ramen, he just has to try it—especially when he gets the chance to visit Japan, where he always makes it a point to eat some local ramen. This time, on a business trip to Japan with a packed schedule leaving no room for downtime, how could he possibly skip out on ramen? In the end, right before clearing immigration at Hiroshima Airport, he rushed to the food court on the second floor and spotted つけ麺本舗 辛部. With limited time, he didn’t think twice and headed straight in.

Glancing at the menu illustrations, he quickly realized this was a tsukemen joint, offering five flavors in total—four tsukemen varieties and one resembling Taiwan’s dan dan noodles. Aside from the warm tsukemen, all the options were spicy, with heat levels adjustable from 0x to 30x. According to an in-store poster, levels 0–3 are mildly spicy and suitable for beginners, while levels 26–30 are fiercely hot, meant only for bold challengers.


▲ “Warm tsukemen” is not spicy.

Since Jeff isn’t great with spicy food, he opted for the non-spicy warm tsukemen, while his companion chose のりかつおつけ麺 (nori and bonito tsukemen) with added seaweed and dried bonito flakes, at spice level 3. Both ordered the small portion. When the bowls arrived, his friend’s was piled high with vegetables, green onions, dried bonito flakes, and seaweed, while the dipping sauce was bright red with sesame seeds floating on top. After taking a cautious dip and taste, he found the level 3 spice wasn’t very intense—but Karafuji’s spice has a delayed kick. At first, it just smelled fragrant with little heat, but after a moment, the spice gradually built up on the tongue, accompanied by a slight numbing sensation. He guessed that besides chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns might also be in the mix.

As for Jeff’s warm tsukemen, compared to his friend’s bowl, it lacked that wow factor. The dipping sauce had a rich bonito aroma, with moderate saltiness that actually suited Taiwanese palates quite well. After finishing the noodles, he even took a small sip of the leftover sauce and found it wasn’t as heavy as the miso ramen from Hokkaido.

Back in Taiwan, he looked up more information and found that つけ麺本舗 辛部 is a Hiroshima-style tsukemen shop, known for bowls filled with veggies and dipping sauces with spiciness levels that can reach up to 30x. Its Tokaichi branch scores 3.46 on Japan’s Tabelog, the Kakogawa branch scores 3.15, and the Hiroshima Airport branch scores 3.18.


▲ Shop name.


▲ Can’t read Japanese? Just go by the pictures.


▲ Spice level is adjustable, up to 30x.


▲ There are lots of autograph boards on the wall, but Jeff didn’t recognize a single one.
 

▲ Menu—with options besides noodles, including fried dumplings, chicken, and more.

つけ麺本舗 辛部 (Hiroshima Airport Branch)
Address: 3rd Floor, Hiroshima Airport
Business hours: 11:00–20:30