Paul D.
Yelp
For this review, the food by itself was worth 2 stars, but the experience brought the rating down to 1. To start with, the food. I don't think I have had a negative experience with any ramen place in DC, but I guess there is a first time for everything. All the marketing states something to the effect of "it's not just ramen, its lamen!". Well maybe that just stands for lame ramen as cheap microwave noodles are better. I ordered the "signature" and the broth had no flavor, the noodles were way too soft, and the ingredients list was inaccurate on the menu. I have no idea why they would put SO MUCH GINGER in the food. I struggled to finish the noodles and only did so because I has starving.
Now, onto the experience. First, they had no service to speak of and just used some app/QR ordering service. This would not have been a problem, but the service they used had service charges in addition to a default tip - an ordering system should complement your service not replace it and still charge more money.
DC has a vaccination mandate for dining in, which had been in effect for about a week when I went. No one checked vaccine cards or even asked about it. Not only that, but a staff member in a red shirt did not have a mask in any capacity. I thought she had one off to grab a drink of water, but no, I never saw her put one on at any point when she was handling or preparing food or walking through the restaurant floor.