Michael S.
Yelp
Thomas Tang was floored the first time he had an authentic ramen made at Ryo-san's Samurai Noodle in Seattle. The exquisite and surprisingly satisfying experience inspired him to bring the joy of meticulously crafted bowls of ramen to Houston, not without hurdles and the strict approval standards of the founder.
Today, I walked into a modernly designed, high-ceiling, open space that is Downtown's Lyrics Market. It's clean, sparkly, bright, and inviting. Thomas is already serving up hot bowls of enticing ramen to the lunch crowd. He's engaging and friendly to customers who walk up to the counter, displaying the same passion and pride since the first day I met him at Samurai Noodle Heights.
For years, he insisted on not compromising on the spirit of making a delicious bowl of ramen. He invested time and money in making fresh ramen noodles in-house with ingredients and a machine imported from Japan. The chicken and pork broth are constantly boiling in gigantic pots, whereas others might simply order pre-made noodles and pre-packaged soup base. Every single bowl starts with the soul of ramen, the proprietary Tare (seasoning), and is constructed with the proper noodle that pairs with the corresponding broth, before finishing with an assortment of toppings.
I respect the man, his principles, and his execution. Whether it is at his store in the Heights or the space at the Food Hall, this guy doesn't compromise on quality, doesn't cut corners, and doesn't just want to make a quick buck. I'm a boring, old-fashioned guy who always prefers the Shouyu broth made with chicken stock, the noodles cooked at least Kata (firm), and the toppings I would eat last after savoring just the soup and noodles.
The high standard, flair, and authenticity of Samurai Ramen remain unbroken at the Lyrics Market. It's a food hall I would visit because of the convenience of free two-hour downtown parking and the fun activities one can enjoy in the heart of the Theatre District. I'm proud to have a friend like Thomas, who continues to dutifully serve a bowl of "simply good ramen, no hype!"
Ramen Lyric Market