A few weeks ago, I noticed this place open next to Sushi Park and Pommes Frites, which I noticed while walking by because the exterior was super brightly lit. And look at that sign! So bubbly and happy. How do you not want to eat there?
Especially when they have giant kettles of beer for $19. I don’t know what kind of beer, because I don’t drink beer, but CT & TT seemed to enjoy and appreciate this special.
Since BF and I had literally just eaten at PIE, we opted to get very little. I started with the bacon yakitori special, which was bacon wrapped shiitakes, bacon wrapped asparagus, and bacon wrapped broccoli rabe. The bacon wasn’t cooked enough – too chewy to appreciate fully, and it wasn’t quite right. I wasn’t a fan. The mushroom proved the best of the three, but only marginally.
Next I ordered the sampler appetizer (look! I have that server – from Crate & Barrel). Edamame, kara age (fried chicken), and… lumpia? The picture had said it would be taro chips, but instead I got bad egg rolls. Boo. I’d have said something but didn’t feel like complaining, and honestly, this was $2.99. Yes – $3 for this. Ridiculous, right? The kara age was crisp but not greasy, and fried properly. Edamame is edamame, so I can’t say good or bad, really…
CT and TT opted to order a larger yakitori set but seemed pleased with theirs. I didn’t try any.
A week later, when looking for a place to go with the girls, I suggested this place as I wanted to try their ramen. We started off with croquettes that sat in a creamy tomato sauce, which was different but I actually liked quite a bit. Very nice.
AB/LL ordered the seafood ramen special and seemed to really like it, despite my drunken protestations “But you’re allergic to seafood!” (She has tons of allergies, and I was really drunk.)
Dr. JY ordered the spicy ramen – and look how spicy it looks! She seemed to really like it, but couldn’t finish it as it was too big for her, I suppose.
I can’t remember the name of SpB’s dish, but I do know she liked it a great deal as well.
I’m pretty sure I ordered the tonkotsu ramen. And you know what? I liked it a lot. It hit the spot and it’s not expensive, it’s in the general area where I like to chill, and there’s hardly ever a long wait (yet – it is recently opened, afterall). I will definitely be back.
Yvo says: All of us enjoyed our ramen greatly and would go back. The prices are reasonable and the place is cutely decorated, and the service was friendly without being intrusive. It isn’t mind blowing ramen, but it’s solid and inexpensive.
recommended
TT says
no pics of my ramen? FAIL!
they don’t make the noodles in house, FAIL!
beer was good though, a japanese beer i never heard of before.
T.C. says
Lumpia? That’s filipino. Harumaki for japanese spring rolls. And $3 for a sampler is a steal.
The ramens look great! I could go for the spicy or the tonkatsu.
K says
Yum, ramen!
The kettle says Sapporo Nama (Draft) Beer so that *should* be what was inside, haha.
Jenny says
Woohoo! Made it onto one of your food reviews! 🙂 I totes forgot the name of this place, so it is good to have a reminder. I really liked the spicy seafood ramen, and I’ve never seen that dish at any other ramen places (well, I’ve only been to a few). I didn’t finish it because I ate a bunch of crap at that other place beforehand, and then I was stupidly wearing a white silk shirt and every 2 minutes I would anxiously scan it for splattermarks, and also because it was pretty spicy, so I was having a lot of ahem, nasal leakage. I did enjoy the leftovers later, though, splattering and sniveling in the privacy of my own home. Great pick!