Ramen Setagaya

once again, forgot to take a picture outside.  sorry!

What with all the rain and drear and cold on Friday, HB suggested ramen, deviating from our normal dinner choice of Indian, but I was definitely game.  Something about a big bowl of soup with noodles, thick slices of pork, steam rising from the bowl to warm your face… is just perfect on a rainy day.  Plus, I’d been hearing about Setagaya nearly since it opened – first StB mentioned attempting to try it but being sidetracked, and then ShB told me a week ago that she’d been there a whopping five times since it opened…  Well, clearly there was something there. 

When we arrived shortly after 7, 7:30, there was a line of about 4-5 people ahead of us (that’s right: no reservations, no list, just wait on line), but HB assured me that this would move quickly.  Within 10 minutes, we were inside the warm restaurant; I’d been cold outside but was definitely warm once inside- they don’t have air conditioning nor do they appear to use any temperature regulating appliance.  The smells around us were delicious; I could see, if I sat straight up in my seat and peered towards the kitchen area, a man grilling individual slices of pork on a wire screen (much like a traditional Japanese fish griller). 

HB told me the shio ramen was delicious, so I followed suit and we both ordered this, opting to split a seaweed salad appetizer for $3.  Since seaweed salad is generally that price at Japanese “delis”, I felt this was a good price (probably cheaper if I made it myself, but whatever, I don’t always want to make things, you know?).  Nothing unusual or unique here. 

The ramen itself… ah.  The noodles were perfectly al dente, slightly chewy, thick, dense and super tasty.  The broth was clear with a deep flavor to it; my only sad moment was realizing there was only a little fatty pork.  What pork there was, though, was absolutely delicious, with a grilled flavor but the wonderful taste of having been cooked lovingly for hours. 

The egg tasted good as well, if you like eggs of course, but my stomach felt a little weird much later.  Not sure if that was the egg, but it was the only thing I could point at and say, “Hmm” to.  I didn’t get sick, though, just felt a little yucky.

All in all, an excellent place, and really good prices (the ramen above was only $9.50; our total bill including tip & tax came out to $26-27).  Yummy.  I’m not sure about waiting more than half an hour, but if you go at an off hour, well worth it.

Yvo says: Go early and leave happy.  Err.. I think that’s the slogan for some chain restaurant.  But you know what I mean: delicious ramen, cheap prices, and a cute, cozy place- not really meant for groups larger than 3, though.  Service was attentive and fast- you really don’t linger here after eating, but that’s alright.  Plenty of places in the neighborhood for a nightcap or dessert.
highly recommended