Alex L.
Yelp
I'm thrilled that one of the most unique ramen restaurants from my old neighborhood, the Inner Sunset, has finally opened a new location in Soma. The food is just as good as I remembered.
The interior is modern yet cozy, with a simplistic design that evokes traditional Japanese style. The Noren separating the kitchen from the dining area adds a homey touch, letting you hear the kitchen sounds. They successfully replicated the original location's wonderful vibe.
Here's a review of the food I tried from their soft open menu:
1. **Edamame 7.5/10**
- Great flavor with garlic and soy sauce seasoning. It's slightly spicy, which is perfect, but the texture was a bit mushy. A shorter cooking time would improve it.
2. **Fried Crispy Mushroom 10/10**
- A must-try dish with perfect texture and flavor. It's mostly unseasoned, so you can control the flavor to your liking, but make sure to add salt and chili powder as I did in the photo to elevate it from a 7-8 to a 10.
3. **Beef Karaage 8.5/10**
- Inspired by the well-known chicken karaage, this dish features tender, medium-cooked beef with a crispy outer layer. While additional salt and pepper would enhance the flavor, it's delicious on its own.
4. **Shoyu Ramen with Bone Marrow (+$10) 9/10**
- You can choose from various soup bases: Shio, Paitan, Shoyu, Spicy, and Vegan. Shoyu is a great beginner option if it is your first time here, and the bone marrow addition is a must to elevate the soup. The firm noodles are excellent for my liking, but you can probably adjust the firmness to your liking.
Overall, the restaurant earns a 9/10 from me.