Ramen in Phoenix?

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Before you think I've gone off the deep end, I'm not talking about the brick of fried noodles that you lived on back in college. I'm talking about the good ramen that you get at a Japanese restaurant. I know that my favorite Japanese place, Sushi Ken, has a terrific chashu ramen. I already looked at Cherryblossom, and sadly they only do soba and udon. Are there any other places around town that serve ramen... maybe if I'm lucky one that does tonkotsu?

-----
Sushi Ken
4206 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85048

[danieli10]

I have always been a soba fan myself. The Yamakake soba at Sushi Ko in N. Scottsdale is really good (with a nice quail egg on top). I don't think anybody does it anywhere else in the Valley.

-----
Sushi Ko
9301 E Shea Blvd Ste 123, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

[turchiano]

There is a Ramen Bar opening up at Cityscape, I think by February. I'm suuuuper excited!!! Cherry Blossom's isn't very good. Hana's is just okay, but I buy it to get my fix. I usualy go for Pho when I want some Ramenish plate.

http://www.downtownphoenixjournal.com...

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I think the ramen bar is DOA; more recent press releases about Cityscape have no mention of it.

[johnseberg]

The only thing in my database with Ramen in the name is Republic Ramen - never been.
http://www.one.republicramen.com

[ziggylu]

I've been to Republic Ramen a couple times. I don't claim to be a ramen expert but have not yet been disappointed. I"ve always ordered the spicy ramen.

http://www.one.republicramen.com/Menu...

[themis]

Me, too. I generally add the fish cake and perhaps some extra spinach. I have yet to even get close to finishing a bowl. I have also learned to only head to Republic when wearing something dark-colored as that chile oil broth splatters all over me.

[ziggylu]

ooh, extra spinach. I'll have to try that. I have yet to finish a bowl either...and yeah, have a couple oil splattered tshirts to show for the yumminess.

[oryza]

Funny, I always tell myself I should remember to order extra noodles on my next visit after polishing off the bowl in 3 minutes

[ipsedixit]

JK,

What type of ramen are you looking for? Hakata, Sapporo, or Tokyo?

For Tokyo style ramen (pork bones, chicken stock, curly egg-y type noodles), you can probably get your fill at Sushi Ken.

I have yet to find anything resembling true Hakata style ramen in Phoenix. No one apparently has the gumption or patience to nurture the necessary pork broth. Cherry Blossom makes a good run at it, but the broth is thin and often too salty -- no umami.

I haven't even tried looking for a Sapporo style ramen joint. Sisphysian endeavor, to say the least.

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

I'm fairly new to the world of ramen... I'd like to try all of it! One of these days I'll make it back to Japan and go have ramen at Ichiran.

[ipsedixit]

Or just head to Southern California, and Gardena in particular, with a layover in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles :-)

[tmarie]

My husband is from Southern California and quite the ramen-lover. He thought he would be completely out of luck here in Phoenix, but he found The Cherry Blossom Noodle Cafe and thinks it is good and definitely satisfies his ramen cravings. I haven't been yet, but I trust his opinion since he's been eating ramen for years both in So. Cal. and Japan! :) Here's their website. http://www.cherryblossom-az.com/

[JK Grence the Cosmic Jester]

Oh they DO have tonkotsu! I missed it completely when I was looking through their menu!

[themis]

I can do better than ramen, babydoll. Head over to Aloha Kitchen in Mesa, get the char-siu and wonton saimin. They do it right, it even has the fishcake and scallions on top; only missing the teriyaki brochette laid over the top of the bowl. They have a fried saimin that is probably closer to ramen --? But unnecessary, once you've had the good stuff.

link to menu -- http://www.alohakitchen.com/2005-05-2...

-----
Aloha Kitchen
2950 S Alma School Rd # 12, Mesa, AZ

[hohokam]

On their regular dinner menu, Hana lists one ramen dish, which I have not tried.

-----
Hana Japanese Eatery
5524 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013