Maui World Travelers
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My never ending quest to try ramen from different shops continues! Before I try any ramen shop, I study the menu and look at the pictures as if I were going to be tested on it lol. I just like to be prepared and don't want to be surprised or disappointed.
ATMOSPHERE:
The shop is tiny, with just a u-shaped counter that seats about 20 people or so. We had late dinner, around 10:15pm on a Friday night, so we got seats without any wait. They do have queue ropes at the front door, so you know they get slammed during peak hours, only confirmed by the photos you see on Yelp.
FOOD:
Oxtail Shoyu Ramen Combo
This is the only combo that comes with a regular sized bowl of ramen, so the server told me. Regardless of the menu description stating "Shio flavor," I was able to opt for shoyu. It also came with 3 pieces of gyoza, and small fried rice. The ramen broth tasted really good at first sip, but then became just a salty, beef broth-like flavor, without any depth or character. It came with about 3 pieces of tender oxtail which I picked at, as I'm not one to suck on bones. A separate dish of grated ginger and splash of shoyu was advised as a dipping sauce for the oxtail. The noodles were white, chewy, and went well with the dish. Toppings were slivers of fresh ginger, celery, white & green onions, garlic chips, bean sprouts, and fresh mushrooms. Not a fan.
Gyoza
The 3 pieces were perfectly seared and tender, with a tasty filling. One of the best I've had. Highly recommended.
Fried Rice
Very mildly flavored with green onions, egg, and bits of char siu. Mainstream at best.
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
My spouse's dish. I do not care for plain tonkotsu broths as the color turns me off. I had a spoonful of broth just to taste it. I was surprised at the depth in flavor which was slightly creamy, slightly savory, and very subtle.
SERVICE:
The two elderly ladies (who look alike) were sweet yet silent, and did a lot of hand gesturing. They brought me the wrong ramen but quickly corrected it.
Due to the signage that states to present a "membership card" when ordering because it can't be changed when cashing out, I asked one of the ladies if they do a kamaaina discount. She smiled, made the palms up gesture and sort of directed it to the other lady helping her, so I took it as to "please ask her." So, I waited for the other lady to finish what she was doing, then asked the same thing, and she replied "YES! YES! OKAY!!!!" like I was being aggressive. *shrugs* I have no idea lol.
TIP:
Cash only.
OVERALL:
Fair pricing, okay ramen. Not a fan of the oxtail version.