Menroku

When I visited Gion Duck Noodles in Kyoto’s Gion district a while back, I learned that there’s a ramen shop called Menroku in Hirakata, Osaka. Apparently, it’s a duck ramen specialty shop founded by a chef with a background in French cuisine, and it’s been selected for Tabelog’s “Top 100 Ramen Shops in Western Japan” for three consecutive years since 2023… Since the duck ramen at Gion Duck Noodles was absolutely delicious, with all these factors lined up, the quality is practically guaranteed. However…

Tucked away in a quiet spot away from Hirakata City’s bustling downtown… Menroku is a place like this…

Getting to this place called Menroku is actually quite a challenge. It’s about a 20-minute bus ride from Keihan Hirakata-shi Station, the heart of Hirakata. On the map, it looks like it’s along National Route 307, so you’d expect heavy traffic, but when I actually went there, it was tucked away in a residential area that felt very quiet… or rather, it had a slightly desolate atmosphere. Honestly, the location makes me think to myself, “If this place were popular, surely there’d be a better spot for it…” But considering it’s been named one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants for three consecutive years, I can’t help but think, “This place is really something special…”

I arrived at Menroku just before opening time on a weekday. Perhaps because it was raining, there was no line before opening, and I managed to be the first customer. The interior features a simple, clean design with a white color scheme, and there are a total of 21 seats, including five at the counter. Perhaps because it’s a suburban shop, the space between seats is fairly generous, making for a relaxed dining experience. What’s more, the staff’s service is incredibly warm, putting me in a cozy mood even before I started eating. At that point, I thought to myself, “It was definitely worth the trip all the way out here…”

Duck has a reputation for having a strong, distinctive flavor, but this dish is actually incredibly refined… I tried Menroku’s signature dish, the Duck Broth Soba—so how did it turn out?

Let me introduce the signature Duck Broth Soba (990 yen, tax included) that I ordered at Menroku that day. After waiting just under 10 minutes from the time I placed my order, the Duck Broth Soba arrived at my table, and this is what it looked like…

Looking at the noodles neatly folded in the soup, you can’t help but think, “They really put a lot of care into this…” On top of that, there are two slices of duck meat as a topping. You can customize this by choosing your preferred combination from two types: loin and thigh. This time, I ordered one slice each of loin and thigh. If you find the duck meat isn’t enough, you can order additional slices for an extra charge, so meat lovers can rest assured…

Anyway, let’s dive right into the soup… At first, the savory aroma of soy sauce takes center stage over the broth’s base, and a little later, the rich umami of the duck broth slowly spreads throughout. While it’s quite a light and clean-tasting broth, you can still sense a depth of flavor. On the other hand, there’s absolutely no off-putting duck odor. You might expect duck to have a strong, distinctive flavor, but this clear soup is actually more refined and elegant than chicken broth.

The noodles, like those in Gion Duck Noodles’ 🦆🍜 (Duck Ramen), are straight noodles made with German rye. Their color conveys a sense of toasty aroma, and their sharp, defined edges give them a visual appeal reminiscent of Japanese soba noodles. They’re cooked to a slightly soft texture and possess a unique toasty aroma that wheat simply doesn’t have. The crisp bite and smooth texture are satisfying without feeling overdone, and the aroma of rye that drifts up the back of the nose has an impact that surpasses other ramen.

Next up is the duck chashu, served in two cuts: loin and thigh. The tender loin and the chewy thigh… both are served rare, so they’re packed with meaty richness. And the slight gamey note still present in this rare duck meat adds a nice, subtle kick to this otherwise refined ramen. “I really should have ordered extra duck chashu…” I found myself thinking, filled with intense regret at this point.

Finally, I’d like to introduce the house-made tapenade provided on the table. I’d always thought of tapenade as a French condiment made from black olives, garlic, and anchovies, but apparently, this restaurant’s homemade version is made with olives and Japanese pepper. And that Japanese pepper gives off an amazing aroma… If you ever get the chance to visit Menroku, be sure to try this homemade tapenade, no matter what you order.

Other Menu Items at Menroku (Prices include tax)

• Extra 3 Slices of Duck Chashu: 560 yen
• Special Duck Tsukemen (Regular) 1,840 yen
• Special Duck Paitan Soba 1,760 yen
• Special Duck Broth Soba: 1,700 yen
• Duck Tsukemen (Regular): 1,130 yen
• Duck Paitan Soba: 1,050 yen
• Extra 5 Slices of Duck Chashu: 920 yen

Takeout menu also available… To get to Menroku, take the Keihan Bus Route 62 bound for Tsuda Station from Hirakata-shi Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, get off at Yotsutsuji Bus Stop, and walk 3 minutes.

Believe it or not, Menroku also offers a takeout menu. Here’s what’s on the menu…Duck Broth Soba (2-Serving Set) 1,930 yen

• Duck Paitan Soba (2-serving set) 1,980 yen
• Duck Tsukemen (2-serving set) 2,080 yen
• Duck Chashu Set 8,900 yen
• Duck Chashu (Loin) 4,800 yen
• Duck Chashu (Thigh) 4,800 yen
• Duck Breast Chashu (5 pieces) 1,900 yen
• Red Wine Braised Chicken Wings: 1,800 yen

The selection is quite extensive, so not only can you enjoy the same ramen and tsukemen at home as you would at the restaurant, but you can even take home the duck chashu. Buying the duck chashu can be quite a splurge, but strangely enough, after eating the duck soba here, the high price doesn’t bother you at all. Since the location is hard for most people to visit, if your wallet allows, it might be wise to stock up and take plenty home.

Now, here are the shop details…

P.S. If you’re looking for delicious ramen in Osaka, be sure to check out this article as well…