This time in Okinawa, I had to check out the classic ramen shop that once captivated Taiwanese travelers—Nuanmu Ramen. This restaurant used to be incredibly popular, almost every Taiwanese tourist visiting Okinawa would make a pilgrimage to this ramen establishment. Although its popularity has slightly waned in recent years, peak hours still see long lines. We went there just past midnight and managed to avoid the crowds, getting seated without having to wait at all, which was a nice bonus.

I ordered a basic bowl of ramen and also tried the miso-flavored version. To be honest, both bowls were pretty good, with a rich broth that wasn't too salty. It was the kind of saltiness that Taiwanese people would find just right, without the overly salty issue that makes you need to drink water while eating the Japanese ramen. As for the noodle texture, I don’t recall being able to choose between soft and firm; it didn’t seem like there was an option for broth thickness either. If I had to pinpoint any outstanding highlights, there weren’t any, but considering the standards for a tourist enjoying a hot bowl of noodle soup, I would rate it as above average.

Once we sat down, we noticed that all the customers were Taiwanese—there were zero Japanese people. What was even more surprising was that none of the staff were Japanese either; everyone serving and clearing tables seemed to be from Nepal or India, along with some Filipino faces.

The most outrageous part was that the restaurant was initially playing normal Japanese songs, probably by Hikaru Utada. However, halfway through our meal, the background music was suddenly cut off, and what I thought was an Indian rhythm turned out to be a Nepali song! Can you imagine a Japanese ramen shop full of Taiwanese tourists with Nepali pop music playing, while foreigners are cooking ramen for you? At that moment, it really felt absurd yet hilarious.

In conclusion, Nuanmu Ramen is still tasty, with consistent flavors that suit Taiwanese tastes. Especially at midnight, having a bowl of hot noodle soup was genuinely satisfying. But what impressed me most about this experience wasn't just the broth or the chashu, but rather the "cultural fusion" happening in this restaurant.