January 28: REPEAT Umaya Ramen

The laziness continued.  Thursday we didn’t feel like going out so I picked up some Umaya Ramen to-go.  As per De Rules, I ordered Fried Chicken (Chicken Karaage) and Chris got the Umaya Ramen, minus mushroom, fishcake, and green onions.  We cheated a little bit and still ordered the Fried Oreos.  Don’t judge us.

The food suited our mood–which was lazy.  It didn’t at all blow me away this time.  It might be because I have a predisposed bias against taking food to go or not eating it in the context and ambiance of the restaurant but it was just ok.

The ramen didn’t taste nearly as good as it did the last time we were here. Maybe it was because Chris had different toppings than I did and I didn’t exactly remember if I got the thick or thin noodles last time but I was just not impressed.  The noodles tasted tough and not at all as well-cooked as I remember them being from before.  I reaffirmed my previous decision to not get ground spicy pork.  I just don’t like the taste of it.

The Chicken Karaage (which is just basically popcorn chicken) was only ok.  It would have been less so if they hadn’t included the dipping sauce that I’m pretty sure was just Thousand Island.  But whatever gave it more flavor was ok in my book!

Thankfully the Oreos were still on point.  They gave much less ice-cream as a result of their to-go packaging so that was a major bummer.  Overall this meal was probably a 2.5 out of 5.  It just didn’t sit right in our stomachs and left a lot wanting.  But I guess that’s what happens when you order out sometimes.  I’m glad I got this bug out of my system because now I have no problem saying with certainty, ’til next year Umaya Ramen!

January 5 (Dinner): Umaya Ramen

It was a long day and lunch hadn’t yielded much success.  I was almost resigned to just go home and eat what was left of holiday leftovers but my boyfriend wanted to go out and eat, and I wasn’t craving anything in particular but I didn’t have a huge appetite so I acquiesced.  I steered him away from the AYCE Korean BBQ house I’ve been meaning to try since I wasn’t in the mood to stuff my face.  We ended up picking a ramen place I had scouted out on yelp a few weeks before, Umaya Ramen.
http://www.umaya-ramen.com/
I told him I had been there once myself at their soft opening and compared to LA ramen, it was not nearly the same.  I filled out a feedback card but never bothered going back after.

I will confess, the number one reason my boyfriend wanted to check this place out was because I had shown him pictures of Deep Fried Oreos and he needed to try them.  Having spent the thirty minutes before arriving, reading yelp reviews, I was very curious to see what kind of experience we would have.  From what I could see, it was either going to be hit or miss.

We walked in and were pleased that the restaurant wasn’t super crowded for 9:40 at night.  We seated ourselves at the bar and gladly received our menus.  We ordered two waters an an order of Gyoza (Fried Dumplings) off the bat.

I was just starting to get antsy thinking about the reviews I read about how they would seat you but not take your order until much later.  I think I was just paranoid, we couldn’t have been left alone for more  than  ten minutes before someone came to take our order.  I got the Umaya Ramen, with no spicy ground pork and add nori (dried seaweed) and spicy paste.  My boyfriend got the Short Rib Plate with rice.

We got our Gyoza quite promptly and were very pleased with the flavor.  It came out with three dipping sauces including a spicy oil, a sweet sauce, and another flavor that I couldn’t quite place.  It was plated nicely with a flavor to match.

Fried Gyoza with Dipping Sauces

My Umaya Ramen was surprisingly good.  I mentioned that I had been here once before over a year ago with my brother and the ramen had been very salty.  This time around the ramen was pleasantly delicious!  The chashu (pork) was tender and the spicy paste added an very unexpected but welcomed kick.  I’m happy to know that in a pinch, I can come to Umaya to satisfy my ramen craving instead of driving all the way out to LA.

Umaya Ramen, no ground pork, add seaweed and spicy paste

Next up, Short Rib Plate.  It came out looking plain but good.  By no means was it a boring looking dish, it was just nice and simple–in a good way.  There was a neat scoop of rice placed beside very tender looking short ribs garnished with…something green.  We were not disappointed.  Upon tasting our meals, we both agreed that Umaya had far and away made up for our poor lunch choice.  We spent the rest of the dinner enjoying our good food and good conversation.

Short Rib Plate

When dessert-time rolled around, we both knew what we wanted.  Deep Fried Oreos with Ice Cream!  We were both excited–my boyfriend a little moreso than myself.  Unfortunately a server came up and told us that they didn’t have vanilla ice cream but would instead give up a scoop of green tea ice cream on the side.  We were a little disappointed but not to be deterred!!  And our determination was rewarded by delicious, chocolate drizzled, deep fried bites of chocolate, creamy glory!  It had been years since I’ve been to the local fair so I had forgotten what this deep fried dessert tasted like, and it was my boyfriend’s first time ever trying the dish.  We were both sold and had to resist the urge to order another one.  The green tea, while not the same as vanilla, didn’t compete with the flavor of the Oreo in a bad way.

Deep Fried Oreos with Chocolate Drizzle

Thank goodness!!  We had finally hit a restaurant that was new and good!  Our efforts were finally rewarded and in a big way!  I’m a little sad that we won’t be able to eat there again anytime soon, but maybe that’s for the best given their hit-or-miss reputation.  I’m glad for us it was a hit!  I hope the quality and service keeps improving because this place has a lot to offer the foodie community.  Thanks for the good noms, ’til next year Umaya Ramen!