Rose E.
Yelp
I've been dying to try their highly raved ramen...but I've put this off time again because of the long, grueling drive from where I live.
In any case, I carved out a day to finally check them out for an early lunch...and here's my take.
I was a bit confused by the name...because on Yelp, it's listed as "Menya Daruma", but the place is titled "Menya, Noodle Counter" in person (and also on the GPS app). The place was somewhat small...and personally, I didn't like the open, kitchen-facing layout. I just find that awkward and uncomfortable ...and although I know most-all of the staff members are busy cooking, but it feels as if we're being watched while eating. Pet peeve, I guess?
One more thing I didn't care for was their online ordering system. I was just never a fan of entering credit card info into restaurant apps. Plus, this "self-service" style isn't really my idea of a relaxing restaurant. Call me old fashioned, but guess I prefer the hand-held menu and tab payout.
Despite these negatives (for me, that is), there is NOTHING negative I can say about their foods. I ordered their Spicy TanTan Ramen (with 2 additional toppings - Wood Ear Mushroom and Bamboo Shoots), along with 1 side of Chasu Pork Bao Bun...and both were way beyond good!
The spicy broth of the ramen was just about perfect...Spicy, without being overwhelming...and all the ingredients were incredibly delish. In fact, I think their ramen is right up there with one of, if not THE best in town. The Bao was incredible too. I'm partial to Chasu Pork anyway, but their little Bao was DEE-Lish!! I only wish it was a bit bigger...or came in a set of 2.
SO...Although I didn't care for their kitchen-facing layout nor their self-service/online ordering system, I LOVED the Ramen and the Bao. Also, despite the place being more or less a self-service eatery (with its ordering system...and efficient table set-ups, complete with a full water jug, napkins and such), I felt that the place was very well managed. Despite my mixed reaction on various issues, I'll base this review on the quality of their foods...STELLAR!