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| - The regular spicy miso ramen is $11.45 before tax. There is an option to either make it large or small for +$1 or -$1, this affects the amount of noodles you get. Unfortunately, the "regular" in this place is equivalent to small in other places, the "large" is regular, and the "small" is child-sized. You have to order DOUBLE large ($2) to get the equivalent amount of noodles of other places.
This wouldn't be bad, but their pork belly is also small and thinly sliced! Most places provide 2 pieces of pork belly in their spicy ramen, or 1 piece plus ground pork. In order to get the equivalent amount of other places, you must order the double portion, which costs $13.30.
Therefore, the true cost of the spicy miso ramen before tax is $15.30, making it by far the most expensive of the ramen joints. Does that mean it's the best?
The standard pork belly is okay. The Toroniku, which has an even greater price premium, is pretty much a high-class cut of meat without any fatty bits. Western diners who are only used to lean cuts of meat will probably jump at this because it's easy to chew on. For the rest of us, the premium isn't worth it. Santouka's rise to fame is its broth. It's excellent, but it falls just short of Sansotei in my opinion.
Not only is it the most expensive of the ramen joints, its default servings are also the smallest. If you don't mind paying nearly $20 after tax and tip for enough ramen to fill you up, then you'll like this place. It's not that the place is bad, it's just that it's too overpriced for what you get. Sansotei is my favorite because it doesn't hurt my wallet as much, and I can actually leave full and satisfied.
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