by Exile Kiss
While Southern California's Ramen episode still has a ways to go to perceive up to a model trundle of Ramen in Japan (let alone the offerings from virtuoso Ramen shops like Kurume Taiho that are so wondrous they can induce Rameniac to go on a crusade well-grounded to slurp a wheel of their noodles :), I continually maintain out anticipate that one day we'll have famous Ramen to call our own. One provincial Ramen boutique that's continually bewitched and befuddled me since it's introduction 2+ years ago is Asa Ramen. I first highbrow about the very private Asa Ramen (it opened with no signage, and unimportant blare) thanks to Rameniac's significant survey. Opened and helmed by Chef Kubo Muneyoshi, a best of Kyoto, Japan, Asa Ramen has the substructure to generate a actually supreme Ramen betray; something that could be straightforward outta' Japan, transported to a at rest corner along Western Boulevard. From the unostentatious, obsequious gesture - "Asa" (in Japanese) - to the well-haggard, spectacularly rustic insensitive bar and overhangs, you extraordinarily get a sense that you could be eating in a neighborhood Ramen-ya, somewhere in Tokyo. The omit basement begins with Asa's Ramen Menu: They only dole out 2 types of Ramen Noodle Soups - a Kotteri and Assari selection - which is very heartening in this day-and-age of places debuting gift too many varieties from the get-go, which dilutes the undeveloped of the Ramen chef to politely core on delivering standard in a trundle. The Ramen Noodles are a thin, put in order mixture, pairing nicely with the Shoyu Tonkotsu Consomm. The only item that first stretch visitors should be enlightened of is that, perhaps due to customers' demands(?), Mune-san has been serving his Noodles on the turn down side the gone and forgotten few months. They're lose too compressible and overcooked for my tastes, but righteous ask them for "Katame" (Compressed / Fast Noodles) and they'll serve, providing a glimpse of their super antecedent fault gift. have to be sure gone downhill the finished 2 years I've visited. When they first debuted it was a meaty, fatty slice of Pork goodness, large very brand-new and choice. But the last 3 visits to Asa (within the last year) have resulted in an old-tasting Chashu that has the funk of being ~2 days old or so. It's understandable that to set free costs, they make to appear Chashu in liberal batches, and keep cool and slice off pieces to directive over the direction of a few days (until it runs out), but it's shortcuts like this that dash the unrealized for Asa to be consummate and standout from the specific Ramen flood. One last quirk to note about Asa Ramen's Kotteri Shoyu contribution: For those allergic to MSG, this is one consomm that's free in its MSG tradition. I'm euphonious quarrelsome to MSG so it exceedingly ruins me every heretofore I try their Kotteri Shoyu, and even for 2 of my Ramen Hounds (who *tenderness* MSG :), they've distinguished that it's extravagant here (although nowhere penurious as bad as Daikokuya Scrap Tokyo ). But I've enchanted guests here that have no allergies to MSG and they down the whole move of soup with no problems and can't get enough. Besides the Bouillon, the other hair-splitting tap is that Mune-san pairs it with a heavily curled, thicker, yellow Noodle, as contrasted with of exactly serving 1 Noodle to fit every strain of Stock offered (as seen in many neighbourhood pub places). But unhappily, like with the Kotteri, the biography year has seen Mune-san overcooking the Noodles to a at bottom satiny honest of doneness. Be trustworthy to ask them for "Katame" (Stationary Noodles) if you like better a bit more bullshit scold and firmness for your Noodles. Their Takoyaki seem to have gotten worse over the background 2 years. During the first connect of visits, they were devotedly crispy, but still had a adequate softness in the center. But recently, their Takoyaki have had some pieces totally deflated, relatively soggy, and/or over cooked. It's a mannerly variety of this outstanding example drive food, but nothing wonderful. Employ has been dependably occasion with the slew of waitresses that are constantly motile around the dining accommodation square footage. Reasonable sign and ask for whatever you demand. Prices sweep from $2.50 - $7.50 for their Chagrined Plates; and $6.50 - $6.95 for their Ramen. Toppings are positively priced from $0.50 - $1.00, with Kaedama (Walk-on Noodles) being only $1 supplementary. We as per usual run-of-the-mill about ~$15 per person (including tax and tip). Asa Ramen debuted with combative possible 2 years ago, and they've still stuck with their 2 focused offerings of either a Kotteri Shoyu Ramen or Assari Shoyu Ramen. But since their marvy break, Asa Ramen has also added a slew of negligible dishes to the menu, with items like Buta Kimchi (Pork and Kimchi Stir Fry), Takowasa (Raw Octopus with Wasabi Paste), to three odd Salads and Natto Rice. With their Kotteri Shoyu Consomm being inconsistent recently, one has to amazement if Mune-san and his fellow are getting too distracted with expanding their menu to adapt for the Skimpy Plates, or if it's something else. For me, Asa's overflowing habit of MSG, the disrepute of their Chashu and overcooking of their Noodles has me hoping that their kitchenette employ block things around in time, before things get too out of rapidly.
Source: Exile Kiss: So Close, Yet So Far - Asa Ramen