FOLIO
Words by Carmen Macri and Ambar Ramirez
Kyuramen
Tucked away on the corner of Old Baymeadows and Southside, walking into Kyuramen is like walking straight into Tokyo. It is likely one of the only authentic feeling ramen shops in Jacksonville. The skin of the restaurant does little to show the gem that is hidden inside, however.
It’s precisely what you’d envision in a classic Japanese ramen establishment. To achieve the utmost authenticity, the owner made multiple trips to Japan to refine his business. The interior features private booths with curtains, is adorned with traditional red lanterns and has an open kitchen with bar seating.
Spicy Kyushu Tonkotsu
Served with pork chashu, bamboo shoot, wakame (don’t know), half-marinated egg (that I gave to Ambar), nori, corn (my favorite part) and scallions in a perfectly made pork broth. You could buy this dish solely for the broth with how creamy and delicious it is. The noodles are house-made to perfection, and there are levels to the spiciness if you can’t stomach the heat. I prefer hot since I have a death wish. Even then, the flavors are too good to deny.
Tonkatsu Curry Ramen
Served in a creamy pork broth, the Tonkatsu Curry Ramen comes with Tonkatsu (obviously), which is a deep-fried pork cutlet, half marinated egg, bamboo shoots, corn, wakame, scallions and nori. I have to admit that my knowledge of ramen only goes as far as Top Ramen and those silver packets and housemade knock-offs, so when I took my first bite of this slightly intimidating and overwhelming bowl, I was pleasantly surprised. The egg was perfectly cooked and marinated and the broth was a perfect mix of savory and spicy. I will say, despite the ramen noodles being housemade, it had a similar texture to that of ramen packets I know all too well.
Atmosphere: 5/5
Food: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Perfect for people who like to eat in private and hate wandering eyes. Perfect for a third date and diners who are seeking a true cultural experience.
Domu
Located on the busy Town Center Parkway, near the even more hectic Town Center is the homey neighborhood restaurant and bar Domu. Chef/owner Sean “Sonny” Nguyen wanted to create a space that combined traditional Japanese techniques with modern-day methods. And with its modern, yet colorful restaurant design and diverse menu, it’s safe to say that he succeeded.
Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen
The broth tasted like water that was set next to pork broth, only a whisper of flavor. The noodles are the only reason this dish did not get a 0/5. There was no flavor to the spices that made the dish “spicy,” just a waft of spiciness every now and then.
Tokyo Ramen
First of all, wow. This was by far my favorite ramen. The Shoyu chicken broth was extremely savory and extremely chuggable, to the point that if I had just a cup of the broth I would be happy. Aside from the addictive broth and freshly made noodles, the Tokyo ramen is served with fried chicken thigh, Ajitama Brulee (I don’t know don’t ask me), kikurage (once again, don’t ask me), seared garlic chives, infused duck fat and garlic scallion confit. Are you drooling? ’cause I was.
Atmosphere: 5/5
Food: 3/5
Overall: 4/5
Perfect for first dates and people who enjoy screaming their conversations.
Tokyo Ramen
A true hole-in-the-wall establishment set in the Seminole Shoppes, it could easily be overlooked by those who don’t know what lies inside. Walking in, it doesn’t seem like much, set with only a handful of tables, but the true magic is in the food.
Tokyo Ramen prides itself on serving true traditional Asian cuisine. What it lacks in physical appearance, it makes up for in dishes served. Since it is rather small, the space fills up quickly. It is a restaurant made for getting in and getting out (with a happy tummy).
Chashu Ramen
The perfect ramen bowl. Packed high with chashu pork, ginger, corn (again, my favorite), seaweed, egg (again, gave it to Ambar), fish cake, green onion, bean sprouts and menma (I don’t know) in a delicious tonkotsu broth. There might be some bias here since this is my go-to ramen shop, but it is worth the hype. Everything blended together so perfectly. The pork was so tender it felt like it was melting in my mouth, every time.
Chicken Katsu
After having Domu’s ramen, despite Carmen’s experience, I was afraid that no other ramen place would be able to do it better. Naturally, I spoke too soon. The chicken katsu at Tokyo Ramen was, dare I say, chef’s kiss. All the flavors in this creamy tonkotsu broth were very well-balanced and delicious. I especially liked the deep-fried chicken katsu that was served on the side, keeping the crispiness intact. Plus, this ramen bowl came with fish cakes, and if you know anything about ramen, you know that fish cakes are the telling sign that it’s the real deal.
Atmosphere: 5/5
Food: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Perfect for diners seeking a quick Asian dinner that will leave them more than satisfied.
Karai Ramen
Located next to the gargantuan Eleven 22 warehouse, I mean, church, Karai Ramen is another hole-in-the-wall establishment. And it truly fits the term “hole in the wall” with the very, very dim lighting and few tables.
There is little to note on the atmosphere and even littler (not a word) to note on the ramen. The dark dining area might allude to the dark feelings that resonate when eating their ramen.
Tonkotsu
At this point, we have had ramen for lunch and dinner for four days in a row so, sorry if this review isn’t an accurate portrayal of the establishment and their food. Frankly, there was nothing good nor bad about this ramen. Or rather, nothing stood out. The broth was extremely oily and the noodles were a bit stiff for our liking. That said, the pork was cooked to perfection and basically melted in our mouths.
Atmosphere: 2/5
Food: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
Perfect for dungeon dwellers. Or churchgoers.
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