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Sacramento

New York City

Ramen Lab

Posted on April 16, 2018

My favorite place to stay when I’m in New York is just down the street from the Ramen Lab. My red-eye flight got me into JFK early morning giving me ample time to drop off my luggage at my hotel in SoHo, nourish myself with a complimentary latte, Balthazar toast and a soft-boiled egg with truffle salt thanks to Eduardo at The Broome Hotel’s sweet little cafe. Then off I went to the United New York Half Marathon Expo to pick up my bib for the race. I knew that Ramen Lab’s door opened at 5 pm and I wanted to get there around 4:45 to ensure that I would haven’t to wait too long to get in. There are only ten spots – no chairs. It’s serious noodle business when you have to stand to eat and expectations are high when you have to do so. The ramen very well better be worth it. This is my second time at Ramen Lab and once again impressed me with their manner of ordering before entering the restaurant to putting a delicious bowl of noodles in front of me without any fanfare. I like the concept of the rotating kitchen featuring ramen from ramen shops throughout the U.S. and the world and especially pleased that SacRAMENto has debuted not one but two ramen chefs: Yasushi Ueyama’s Shoki Ramen and ramen blogger David Chan. All of my walking worked up an appetite for the featured Sakekasu Tonkotsu Ramen from Brooklyn Kura. Sake kasu are the lees left over from making sake often used as a pickling agent in Japanese cooking. The lees foam was not overpowering and added a touch of umami to the creamy pork broth. The usual suspects included a fatty but meaty piece of pork belly, slices of fish cake, scallions, seaweed and pickled ginger. The drizzle of anchovy oil and the two slices of tamogayaki (egg omelette) pulled it all together and went well with the thicker Okinawa soba noodles. The ramen truly hit the spot that I quickly devoured it. It was so good I would have ordered another but a line had formed outside the restaurant. Ramen etiquette prevailed so I quickly paid my bill so that next group of customers could come in. I will be noodle slurping with ramen boy this summer so looking forward to the third time around surprise ramen at Ramen Lab.

Ramen Lab
70 Kenmare Street
New York, NY 10012
(646) 613-7522
www.ramen-lab.com

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

Sacramento, CA

Binchoyaki Izakaya Dining

Posted on June 21, 2016

I hesitate taking my mom to Japanese restaurants since she likes to give her two cents and the experience makes me feel like a kid rolling my eyes begging her not to embarrass me. Now that she’s in her 80’s and not going to change her ways I’ve just learned to go with the flow and hope that she likes the food. Binchoyaki did not disappoint and is a nice addition to the Japanese food scene in Sacramento introducing izakaya type of food (Japanese tapas).

The miso soup was a welcoming start for the meal to come. It came out piping hot and the flavor was on point according to my mom. Lots of seaweed, green onions and a surprising addition of shaved corn. We later found out that the owner/chef blends three types of miso for his soup and makes his own dashi. I had the kushiyaki set with Negima (chicken leg and green onion), Binchoyaki Tsukune (minced chicken and duck), Muneniku (chicken breast) and a skewer of okra . My mom had the black cod misoyaki. She thought it was good but was more impressed with the miso soup (she ordered another one), the salad (very finely shredded green and red cabbage, carrots and lettuce), the cucumber pickles and the quality of the rice.  Most importantly, the green tea came out to her in a Japanese tea pot with scalding hot water the way she likes it and the presentation of the food with different types of dishes sealed the deal with her. She felt like she was eating at home but someone else was serving her.

For the sake of this being a ramen blog I had to try the shio ramen on the menu. Probably the most understated bowl of ramen I’ve had since Ramen Lab in New York but without chashu or even an egg. The toppings were simply finely chopped green onion, seaweed, menma and topped with three thinly sliced kamaboko mostly for decor. The chicken based broth was very lightly seasoned and not too salty. There was a mysterious ingredient that added some black flecks to the broth and to the noodles. At first I thought it was black pepper and then realized it was actually charred green onion. Nice touch gave the broth a very slight smoky flavor. The noodles complemented the other dish that I had but on its own it would likely be too bland for me. I think an ajitsuke tamago (marinated soft boiled egg) would add that oomph I wanted to taste and was wishing for.

So as I reflected over the meal with their delicious white peach sorbet I thought wouldn’t it be great if Binchoyaki served different types of ochazuke. Maybe salmon or ikura, umeboshi, pickles and …

I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Binchoyaki Izakaya Dining
2226 10th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 469-9448

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