rev:text
| - COME ON guys.
The ramen at Niwatei is just not serious. When you think about Japanese food you think about sushi and ramen. It is sad that Jtown cannot bother to offer you above average sushi or ramen. Putting the sushi situation aside, Niwatei's ramen was definitely not up to par with the likes of Raijin, Sansotei or Santouka. Nowhere near. In fact, I suspect their ramen is made from the frozen ramen packs they sell at the supermarket across from them.
A ramen restaurant uses a lot of water, seeps the broth and uses fresh broth and pork bones and so forth. Niwatei's ramen is like something you can make at home so they are not serious about their art.
In the meantime, the restaurant has combined into one with Green Tea Lounge and presents one big menu.
By the way, the watery bland ramen (yes they added too much water) is available in full or half size. Fortunately, the chicken karaage was delicious and juicy.
Hint for all ramen newbies: good ramen is not made from dried or frozen packs, takes hours to prepare and made in large batches according to particular noodles or broth (fish, pork or chicken stock....) and you can usually sit at the bar and see the chefs in action (and I don't mean hydrating dried/frozen noodles).
Waitress was a sincere girl and quite nice about everything. Polite service is always nice.
The on-site dishware shop sells ramen bowls with the Niwatei logo, but the ramen is not served in bowls with the logo!
Finally, whoever said they wear traditional Japanese dress or uniform must have not visited recently. They stopped doing that.
|