"Tonkotsu, miso, and shoyu ramen arrive in Boulder later this month when Gaku Ramen debuts. The traditional Japanese ramen house that originally launched in Burlington, Vermont, in 2016 features rice bowls, steamed buns, karaage, and gyoza. Japanese ramen masters Kazuki Nakazawa and Toshinori Shimada created the menu while executive chef Colin Arthur helms the Boulder kitchen. Ramen options range from a black garlic miso or tonkotsu (pork), sakana shoyo with shrimp, and more for $15.95 or less. Diners can add pork or chicken chashu (braised meats), braised pork belly, a soft boiled egg, bean sprouts, miso mushrooms, red miso butter, or gluten-free noodles. Kaedama any bowl for an extra serving of noodles. Rice bowls in the $8.75 to $13.95 range include grilled salmon, crispy pork belly, and fried rice with chicken or vegetables. The full-service bar features local craft beer, wine, sake, shochu, and Japanese Whisky. Gaku, Japanese for learning or study, sees its mission to bring ramen to college campuses. The restaurant collaborated with University Colorado Boulder in a competition to design a mural within the restaurant. The winner, Mary Mueffelmann, found inspiration in Japanese woodblock prints. Also of note, Gaku Ramen plans to give back to local charities on Mondays, donating 10 percent of sales from 6 p.m. to close." - Susan Stapleton
