Eugene L.
Yelp
After a brutal day of moving, we stumbled our way to this joint, relying on nostalgic memories and a hope that it hadn't gone downhill like so many other places post-pandemic. To our delight, the service was friendly and attentive, even better than the downtown location. (I know, downtown location is normally busy, it's luxury to expect the such) Off to a good start! Skeptical about whether the food quality had taken a nosedive, we played it safe with the classics: Salmon Cutlet, Shoyu Ramen, and Shio Chashu Ramen with butter (don't judge me). If there's one of few things to dent, the menu booklet was a bit cluttered, not the streamlined selection I remembered. But onto the important stuff, the food! The soup base was just right, with a comforting pork aroma. It wasn't as sweet as I remembered, but it still hit the spot. The chashu (sliced meats) was thinner than before but not disappointingly so as I've seen in many other places recently. And the butter? It added a lovely richness to the Shio ramen, perfect for those who like a bit more depth. If not, the Shio's mild yet rich flavor and the Shoyu's robust kick will more than suffice. Now, the salmon cutlet was a pleasant surprise. Thick, tender, and devoid of any fishy smell, it was akin to a well-cooked chicken breast, only better. Santouka proves that corporate-owned restaurants can maintain quality and standards. While so many others have let us down big time, this place remains a reliable refuge for ramen lovers. It's a place I'd revisit in a heartbeat.