Ramen Sora
Gyoza
Spicy Miso Ramen
Corn Butter Miso Ramen
Fancied by legions of fans around the world, and certainly seeing a renaissance in America that goes beyond the 25-cent cups commonly seen around college dorms, Ramen Noodles have never really held much interest to someone that really does not love soups with clear broth, but attempting to understand a trend that generates lines in America and Michelin Stars overseas it was with a friend that Ramen Sora was visited for 6 o’clock dinner, the small shop on Spring Mountain supposedly Las Vegas’ best.
Small and dingy on the outside, the sort of place passers-by could easily blink and miss, Ramen Sora cites its Sapporo heritage with signage at the door and once inside the scene brightens substantially, several tables laid out with good spacing while pop-music chimes over the din of the crowd.
Smallish in menu, a few appetizers joining soups in one of three styles of broth, those arriving during peak hours should expect a short wait, the staff friendly and efficient with bowls emerging from the kitchen at a relatively rapid rate.
Opting for water and tea service, a few alcoholic selections also available to those choosing to imbibe, it was mere minutes after orders were placed before five pan-seared potstickers landed on the table, a ground chicken filling nicely textured and exceedingly juicy with a sesame based sauce served alongside for those desiring an extra bit of umami.
Onward to the soups, noodles of the pre-packaged variety made by Sun and thus no different than anywhere else, it was at the advice of our waitress that the ‘signature’ miso soup was selected for both bowls instead of Shoyu or Shio and with a description of ‘creamy’ the pork infused broth was indeed rich, the spicy beef addition leaving a tingle on the lips while a small knob of butter added even more depth to the corn studded version that trended ever so slightly sweet.
Happy to see an egg and shoots added for texture, the noodles springy but rather redundant bite-after-bite, it perhaps should have been a sign when the table adjacent added several pieces of Chasu to their four-person order, the four bites of pork belly included in our bowls easily the most memorable part of the meal and so tender that it almost melts on the tongue.
THREE STARS: Potentially underrated by someone whose basis of comparison consists of less than a handful of noodle houses to date, it is simply difficult to get excited for something based on pre-packaged starch and pork broth served in a gigantic portion no matter how good, a menu with more options or at least more room for customization potentially something I could grow to understand and maybe even love.
RECOMMENDED: The Gyoza and Chashu are both excellent.
AVOID: Sort of a ‘stick to what you know’ place, those looking for more than just ramen may wish to pass,
TIP: All bowls are offered in three sizes (+$1 for large, +2 for super-size) with extra toppings offered a la carte for $0.50 to $1.50 depending.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
http://ramensora.com.ph