Tonkotsu Shoyu (Kagoshima Style)
Creamy Pork Broth w/ Chashu, Kikurage, Scallion, Menma, Nori, Naruto
Pork Bun
Salmon Salad with Grapefruit
Pork Gyoza
Salt & Pepper Pork
Pork Sausage
Uni & Parmesan Ramen
Fried Squid Legs
Miso (Sapporo Style)
Chicken, Pork & Fish Broth w/ Minced Pork, Cabbage, Corn, Scallion, Menma, Bean Sprouts
Perhaps my new favorite restaurant in Astoria. Fast, inexpensive, creative and most importantly delicious food! The servers are also quite friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I'm not yet a true ramen connoisseur, so I can't really compare this Ramen to many other places. However I can tell you most of what I've had here is excellent. They excel in the soup, broth and noodles, with the Japanese style 'Tapas' being good to ok.
My favorite dish they serve is the Uni and Parmesan Ramen. Really different and unexpected to have fish paired with a cheese based broth, but it works perfectly together. The Uni is small and mild, but is well accented by the broth. The noodles are al-dente and delicious! The broth is rich and filling, yet not to thick. The bits of tomato provide a nice acid component that helps cut into the richness of the broth.
The Tonkotsu (Hakata style) Ramen is really good. Rich, silky broth, not to salty; perfect texture of the noodles; great soft braised pork belly and very affordable at around $10. Highly recommended.
The Pork Sausage appetizer is ok, its more like small hotdogs, complete with the oily texture and taste. Paired well, just as the Gyoza is, with I believe a puree of sweet squash and a few crunchy bits. It adds a bit of complexity to an otherwise standard and somewhat oily dish. The Gyoza also benefits from the accoutrement. The Takoyaki is dressed well with the usual dancing bonito flakes, but upon first order they are undercooked, and the squid was quite chewy.
The salmon ceviche is nice but served unexpectedly as a salad and is slightly overpowered by the grapefruit. The Pork buns are the best appetizer I've had here, very soft, flavorful pork belly, although I'm not a fan of the lettuce in the bun, brings down the overall taste. The salt and pepper pork was unexpectedly served on a skewer and reminded me a lot of something I'd get on the street corner here in Astoria. Very fatty, and since it was quickly grilled it did not have the time or the temperature to render off, leaving chewy fatty pieces in between decently flavored pork. Not my favorite dish here.
Highly recommended for the Ramen, its excellent, fast and cheap! Try and appetizers, some are better than others, and there are still a bunch I have yet to try.
