Kimberly L.
Yelp
Review #863
2025-035
Food Order:
Pork Char Siu Ramen (5 pork char siu, handcrafted noodles, house-made vegetable broth infused with ginger, bamboo shoots, scallions, seasoned egg, seaweed)
5- Pc. Gyoza (pork, cabbage, onion, spices)
Tip: regular or large is the same price except the large gets you more noodles.
Server: Laura
Last night I was here for a YEE, & here I am again the next day for lunch. Ramen Sumiya took over the defunct Zabon Ramen, & is located in the smaller Carson Western Plaza diagonally across from the more popular Eastgate Plaza. The ramen shop has been opened for 2 months & it's just down the street from home. Again, if it wasn't for Evan & his curated YEEs, it's unlikely I would discover this hidden gem in my 'hood on my own.
It was way after lunch rush, about an hour before closing (they take a short break before reopening for dinner), & I was warmly greeted by Laura who I saw last night. =D
I came back because I was hankering for their pork char siu ramen, & added a side of gyoza. Then she mentions the regular & large bowls are priced the same, but you get more ramen in the large. Say what!?! Dang girl... you got me at large. LMAO I would soon regret it (read on).
Since I was the only patron, my order was ready in minutes. Once served, more customers started pouring in for that last bite before dinner rush. If you read Review #862 re: last night's YEE, you'll know that Ramen Sumiya differentiates itself from the S. Bay ramen shops (& there are lots) with their "flame-grilled to smoky perfection" chicken instead of the pork char-siu/chashu in a chowder-style broth (like 羹 thick Chinese soup). While that's their signature, they also offer a pork version, which I why I'm back & to compare it with yesterday's chicken. It's not an apple-to-apples comp because each is its own "star"/standout though the pork tastes more unctuous; I can't say which is better, instead it'll be if I'm craving for chicken or pork. Both proteins are perfectly seasoned & cooked/grilled, tender, & full-body flavor! Still ditto-ing: perfect al dente ramen... QQ chew. The vegetable broth would assume to be lighter than the chowder-ish broth. Nope! This, too, is rich & hearty... slurp, slurp, slurp... soooooo yummy!!! オイシデス!!! I also repeated a few dollops of yuzu kosho dressing, which adds citrusy, spicy, & salty notes, & is more pronounced in flavor because of the milder veggie broth instead of that chili-packed broth. With the added noods, I really didn't need that side of gyoza, which were tasty BTW, except it didn't have that crisp bottom skin that I'm used to. Hence the regret... I ate wayyy too much & feel like I'm going to hit a food coma while writing this. ごちそうさまでした (gochisousama deshita)!
I was sharing with Laura that I'm in conflict between the chicken & pork char siu ramens. While you can add a side of protein, that's wayyy too much, especially as a single diner. I suggested they offer a 1/2+1/2 option to get the best of both worlds! I didn't share with her that on an extreme occasion I drove ~11-mi. to combine 2 ramen shops to make a perfect bowl of ramen because I liked the toroniku at one, & the tonkotsu broth & noodles at the other. Hehehe...
And not that I think they need it, but maybe offer a loyalty program to encourage repeat visits. I know several local ramen shops that use an app to track points.
Although my daughter hasn't been yet, she was conflicted with joining me for lunch or going to a birthday party today since teen parties are not quite foodie adventures, & my outings usually are. ;-)
The dining room is moderate & cozy (looks like the same furnishings from Zabon); there's a few semi-private booths & smaller dining area, no patio/outdoor seats. Compact menu offerings of ramen: chicken chowder & sho-yu with ramen combos, rice bowls, & appetizers at competitive prices. Service is friendly & efficient; you'll definitely feel the warmth & welcome.
Winner winner, chicken dinner! Ramen Sumiya is cluckin' bombtastic, & I'll definitely be back for more! Thanks again for this gem, Evan... you're the best!