Kyuramen x TBaar - Arcadia

Slurp Ramen Inside Kyuramen’s Honeycomb-Shaped Booths in Arcadia | Eater LA

"Opened February 7, this first California location from one of America’s largest ramen chains—already with outlets in New York, the Midwest, Texas, and even the deep South like Mississippi and Alabama—takes over a sizable Arcadia strip-mall slot and serves a signature yin-and-yang ramen with tonkotsu and miso broths, omurice, and yakitori skewers. Founded in New York City in 2014 by Gary Lin, the brand “specializes in Kyushu-style shio broth, Tokyo-style shoyu broth, and Hokkaido-style miso,” and Lin hoped to become the "Starbucks of ramen in the U.S.," which, given its more than 40 locations across the country, seems to be well on its way. Visually, the most unique aspect of the interior is a staggered honeycomb table arrangement where diners get tucked into hexagonal alcoves—the cozy (and Instagram-ready) feeling is pretty unparalleled, though don’t be surprised if onlookers take photos of the honeycomb section while you eat. The rest of the space has counter seating, scattered tables, and even private dining areas with curtains, and a large wishing tree already contains hundreds of notes and drawings scribbled onto small wooden placards for additional visual interest; the company introduced its new honeycomb booth design a few years ago in a huge Chicago restaurant. The menu covers much of the Japanese canon (except sushi), offering katsuoboshi ramen (shaved bonito flakes), miso ramen, tonkotsu shoyu (rich pork broth), curry ramen, kimchi ramen, chicken ramen, vegetable miso ramen, and even tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) ramen. The honeycomb appetizer is described as "a fun shareable starter with seasoned edamame, tamago egg, unagi, seaweed salad, lobster and chashu ball, and shrimp tempura." Other starters include steamed pork buns, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and yakitori skewers. The viral Kichi Kichi omurice popularized in Kyoto is served here, "sliced tableside by servers for maximum shareability," and desserts include matcha tiramisu, mango mille crepe cake, and Japanese cherry blossom jelly. Guests enter through Tbaar, the brand’s boba and milk tea shop, whose drinks can also be ordered at the ramen counter—an intentional one-two punch aimed at the predominantly Asian American community around Arcadia and the greater San Gabriel Valley." - Matthew Kang