Jordan N.
Yelp
Ok, I came here by chance, since I had to go to the post office nearby as it was the only one open on Saturdays. I didn't even remember that this place was here, but driving past it, I knew I had to stop by after I was finished with my errands.
So I stopped by for lunch. It's third market, third kitchen, and third tables. So basically the market was kinda small, but it has everything you'd want in a Japanese place (at least, I'd hope so). In the middle of it all is a cashier station, and that's where you order the food, or make your purchases. The woman behind the counter wasn't exactly the friendliest person, but she's not a Japanese Nazi either. She is just not the smiling, attentive kind and doesn't make much of a conversation with customers.
I looked over the menu, which is by the cashier (if you look at the menu above the kitchen, that aforementioned lady would call on you to get back to the cashier and look at the menu over there), and decided that on this chilly day, I'd get ramen.
And when the ramen came out, it was just barely ok. If you're used to getting ramen by the subway stations in Tokyo, maybe this could compare, but this is not restaurant-quality ramen. It's the ramen of the working class, and unfortunately, after having so many bowls of better ramen bowls, this one is a miss. A bit too salty, poor choice of thin noodles, few pieces of thin and overcooked meat (and mine was even clumped, shriveled together), few pieces of veggies, and a whole lotta of liquid broth. But at, what, $5.99 a bowl, I guess, you get what you pay for, since most ramen bowls in this city are double the price.
As it stands, I probably should have scoured the reviews and followed Tiffany D's recommendations since her experience seems to parallel mine. I'll have to come back to try her suggestions of the karaage chicken bites, fireball roll, miso soup, and chicken curry bowl.
But yes, if you're wanting to go out, can't find a dining partner, need to eat something that's different from your usual routine, and want to spend the least amount of money possible (this place is really dirt cheap), then this place could be an option - but be careful with what you order since there's only a few things to really enjoy. Avoid the ramen.