"Go to Taniku to eat fantastic bowls of ramen that are hard to find at other noodle shops in the city. Sure, there are some typical shoyu broth options, but you can also get a bowl with an umami miso soup and chunks of tender pumpkin or another with two types of scallops and basil pesto. The best, though, is the Niku that’s served with tender slices of beef and onions all soaking in a glossy sweet and spicy broth that tastes like a close relative of sukiyaki. Ramen portions are generous, but save some room for the small plates and skewers, particularly during Happy Hour when booze, handrolls, ramen, and donburi are discounted. Get here early before the two- and four-tops fill up with after-workers and steel yourself for blaring early 2000s Top 40 hits that run over any attempt at a conversation. Food Rundown photo credit: Patrick Wong Okonomiyaki Tater Tots It’s simple, but delicious. Crispy tater tots maintain their crunch under a deluge of wiggling bonito flakes, Kewpie mayo, and okonomiyaki sauce. Do some excavating to get at the pile of caramelized onions hiding at the bottom of the bowl. photo credit: Patrick Wong Hamachi Handroll The three-biter is pretty and tastes fresh, but it’s bland. However, at $2.50 as part of the Happy Hour menu, we’d still get it again. photo credit: Patrick Wong Niku Ramen Ramen is Taniku’s strong suit, and this is the best bowl here. The noodles are just chewy enough, the broth is slightly sweet with just enough spice to get your brow a little damp, and it’s topped with a seemingly never-ending supply of thinly sliced beef. Order this at Happy Hour for a $5 discount. photo credit: Patrick Wong Kobe Kushiyaki Each chunk of juicy meat is glazed with slightly sweet teriyaki and has a light, crackly char. Order this. If you want a more skewer-based meal, also get the ba-ra, tori mo-mo, and yuzu tori. Two skewers per order. Karaage Curry Don We love the proportions on this thing. 60% huge pieces of fried chicken, 40% rice, and fully covered in a rich Japanese curry. If you’re looking for a shareable entree, this is it. During Happy Hour, this massive dish is $5 off." - Patrick Wong
