Monthly Archives

July 2016

Sacramento, CA

Raijin Ramen House

Posted on July 22, 2016

I was feeling in need of some comfort. Ramen boy just finished with his doctor’s visit. It was just a routine physical that’s required for school and he passed with flying colors. Really no need for concern but I had sweaty palms driving him there with a feeling of doom and gloom. Keep in mind that I go to doctor’s appointments and hospitals often since I accompany my mom and I never feel this way. I am always concerned but I am guessing that deep down I worry something may be wrong with my baby. Yes I know it sounds pathetic but my baby is a teenager now. He had a rough start coming in to the world, I had a hard time having him and a mother’s love and worry is forever. Forever.

So to celebrate a routine doctor’s appointment we went for some ramen. He had the garlic shoyu tonkotsu ramen with just the chashu and a side of gyoza. I wanted cold noodles and so I ordered the kimchi mazemen. Kimchi is the ultimate comfort food and pair it with rice or noodles and with an oozy egg all is well in the world. Raijin’s mazemen did not disappoint and I was quite happy to be given a whole egg. For presentation it would look better split in half showing the yolk but it would have spoiled that first bite and the burst of egg yolk into your mouth. The egg was cooked to perfection. The noodles were chilled and springy on top of some mixed greens, chopped chashu, kimchi, dried seaweed and a light shoyu citrus based (ponzu) dressing. It was on the bottom and not drizzled on top which I preferred. Absolutely delicious.

Just what the doctor ordered.

Raijin Ramen House
1901 S St
Sacramento, CA
(916) 498-9968

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Sacramento, CA

The Izakaya

Posted on July 6, 2016

After three weeks of an intense math review ramen boy declared that summer has officially begun for him by sleeping in till 1 pm (those days are a faint memory for me) and then futzing about till he realized the time having missed breakfast and lunch that he was starved. I couldn’t really get angry with him because ramen mom forgot to have lunch too futzing around on the computer. Of course he wanted ramen and I didn’t want to cook so going to The Izakaya was timely since their happy hour started at 2:30 and who can say no to $5 ramen.

It was already a full house when we got there everyone patiently waiting for the half hour to start ordering. Three types of ramen are offered: house ramen, spicy ramen and vegetable ramen. I didn’t feel like having a bowl of noodles so I went for a roll instead. Ramen boy had the spicy ramen plain as usual with just chashu and we shared some pan fried pork gyozas. I have had the ramen before and let’s just say that it’s a no frills but pretty tasty bowl of noodles. Smart marketing on their part since the place is always packed for happy hour. I also like the small details like serving water with lime slices and a piece of candy with your bill.

Walking out the door for less than $20 is a great deal. Now off to get some $5 coffee.

The Izakaya
Ramen and Japanese Pub
5651 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
(916) 391-1378

Oakland, CA

Ramen Shop

Posted on July 2, 2016

My first visit to Ramen Shop was a couple of years ago. Ramen boy insists it was last year when he was in 7th grade but if memory serves me right I am sure it was in 2014 not too long after its opening. He was aka sneakerhead and I remember driving to Oakland for a shoe expo. I had something to eat while I waited for him so I wasn’t hungry when we got to the restaurant. So he ate solo. Seriously all I remember about our visit was the bill. I literally gasped at the amount berating myself for not requesting his toppings on the side to eat.

A friend from Singapore was visiting and staying in Oakland and so I suggested we meet up at Ramen Shop. For the sake of the blog I needed to try the ramen this time. The boys hadn’t seen each other since 2008 and the three of them are ramen lovers albeit very picky ones. Rockridge is a booming neighborhood and by the time we got there people were milling around outside enjoying the fine day. My friend and her family were already seated inside and the place had a very cozy vibe. Servers were really nice answering our questions. It would have been easier to just go with the kids menu of just noodles and broth but our two older boys are teenagers and too cool for that. So instead we ordered ramen without any toppings and then paid an additional $4 for chashu bringing each bowl over $20.

The former Chez Panisse chefs and owners of Ramen Shop serve beautiful and unique ramen. The menu changes daily with three types to choose from with a traditional base of noodles made in house (imported noodle machines from Japan), different broths with a twist like with Meyer lemon and various vegetables depending on what’s fresh and in season. My miso ramen was chock full of flavor with springy noodles and veggies. The finely chopped red onion was a bit of a surprise but it wasn’t overpowering at all. Care and thought goes into each bowl and I appreciate that effort.

However, I don’t appreciate the dent in my wallet. I am sure many would say you get what you pay for and the quality is pretty darn good. I suppose it’s best not to bring the kiddos if they aren’t going to eat from the kids menu and to go in with an open mind that it’s not traditional ramen. It’s not their claim to fame anyway so I didn’t have that expectation. I am just a firm believer that ramen should be affordable and enjoyed by everyone. With that in mind, the area is really becoming the hot spot for ramen with Sobo Ramen, Shiba Ramen and Itani Ramen that I know about and Ippudo opening its doors in Berkeley soon. Ramen diversity is a good thing.

Ramen Shop
5812 College Avenue
Oakland, CA
(510) 788-6370

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