Ingrid H.
Yelp
I've been here probably 50 times at this point.
One of my long time favorites, Misoya is the kind of restaurant I immensely respect, which dedicates itself to showcasing one particular ingredient or product. Before I ate here I don't think I really understood the depth of what miso is as an ingredient.
The menu here is slightly confusing to some people. It is split into 3 sections: Kome, Shiro, and Mame. These are each different kinds of miso. As far as I know, generally Kome miso is made with soybeans and rice, shiro is rice, soybeans and barely, and mame is only soybean. Each of these misos has a different flavor when added to the broth at Misoya, and is paired with a set of toppings to compliment it. Having tried all three, I personally find the shiro miso to be the best balance of flavor, while Kome is a bit sweeter. Don't be off put by the description on the menu that says mame has a "bitter finish," it has a deep and rich flavor unlike the other two.
Misoya adds abundant toppings to every bowl and the noodles are the kind I love, thick and chewy. The little blocks of fried tofu in the shiro miso ramen soak up the spicy broth in a really pleasant way. I specifically like that they offer an additional topping of butter and cheese which I often get. It sounds weird to some people, but it just adds further richness and creaminess to the broth, resulting in a thick soup that clings to the noodles. The Parmesan compliments the miso so well, it is really a great combo.
There have been some post-Covid changes, as can be expected. The portions are a bit smaller. The broth maybe has slightly less depth, perhaps less miso is being used than before. Most disappointingly, the egg is no longer marinated and instead is just a plain egg, although it was still cooked perfectly. I can not fault them for these changes and I hope they are able to come back from this difficult time. I am so thankful they are still open. Losing this place would truly be a shame.