01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
A fragrant wave of roasted shrimp rises from the bowl, joined by a sharp kick of spice and a gentle hum of acidity. The spicy prawn ramen at Little Asia in Nishi-Asakusa presents a clear broth that delivers concentrated seafood depth, compelling you to drink down every drop. Plump shrimp, chashu pork, crisp bean sprouts, and mizuna greens garnish the bowl, while the noodles can be swapped from standard Chinese ramen noodles to pho rice noodles on request. For a hearty spread, the "all toppings" option adds salted braised pork belly and seasoned boiled egg.
The other cornerstone of the menu is the laksa shrimp broth curry ramen, layering fragrant spices and seafood aromatics against mellow coconut milk. The thick, creamy broth clings generously to the noodles, and finishing the leftover soup with jasmine rice has become a favorite ritual among regulars. The light, slender indica grains soak up the curry broth like a Thai curry, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Ordering the "finishing set"—which provides a small bowl of rice with mozzarella cheese, shrimp chili oil, and fresh herbs to melt into a quick risotto—makes an equally enticing finale.
Beyond noodle bowls, the restaurant offers an extensive selection of rice dishes and small plates. The menu features spicy gapao rice topped with a fried egg, coriander-topped seasoned minced meat over rice, and iron-pot mapo tofu, alongside tapas-style bites like mouthwatering chicken (yodare-dori) and boiled dumplings. Pairing these starters with draft beer, chuhai sours, or spiced shochu like Chill Green before finishing with a hot bowl of prawn ramen makes for a relaxed, flavorful evening.
Seating is intimate, split between a counter and small tables, where the chef prepares each bowl carefully from scratch. When the room fills up, dishes may take a little time to arrive, but the depth of flavor and lingering spice that reach the table consistently reward the quiet wait.
