A Ramen Adventure

There is something that I love about the Bay Area. Okay, there are many things that I love about the Bay Area. But, perhaps, one of my favorites: the food. No surprise there, right?!?

So, when I knew we were going to be up in Palo Alto for the weekend, I did some reading and picked a few places to try.

Maybe I've been watching too many episodes of Mind of a Chef, but I had ramen on the brain.

[Yes, I am actually going to admit this aloud!] When I go to an ethnic restaurant, if there are actually people of that ethnic background (or close) there, I take that as a good sign. Because, you know, I would never frequent a Filipino restaurant unless it came remarkably close to my grandmothers' food.

Every single table was packed and there was a line-up of customers at the door...and each table had at least one Asian.  It lends a little cred to the food, in my mind.

This is not the cook-in-the-microwave kinda ramen that you shoved in your mouth between classes in college. This is pure deliciousness in a bowl - with layers of textures and tons of flavor.

We started off with two orders of steamed edamame, plain and spicy garlic. We shared bowls of seaweed salad, dueling for best chopstick positioning.

And then came the ramen bowls. We ordered the signature ramen some with yuzu-miso broth and some with tonkatsu broth. I ordered the special for the evening - spicy clam ramen with kimchi in the yuzu-miso broth.

Not only were the portions enormous, every single bite was amazing. Mine had corn kernels, barely wilted spinach, a pile of spicy kimchi, fresh pea shoots, and more. I shared mine with D. I eyed the signature ramen bowls all around me. No one offered to share any, but the massive chunks of pork belly look divine.

I think I'll have to try my hand at homemade ramen noodles one of these day. And we will definitely go back there next time we're in Palo Alto. I'd call this a successful ramen adventure...