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| - Without Godzilla's review, I would totally not even known about this new restaurant called Koraku Ramen. As I am not Japanese, not a subscriber to their phone tree or otherwise connected to the local Japanese social network scene. So Hoodie, aka Godzilla X, thanks for bringing this new Japanese eatery to the attention of Yelp users.
Koraku Ramen, is a small chain restaurant from California (Little Tokyo and Sherman Oaks) that finally relocated their other Nevada location to Las Vegas. So for those of you who have visited their other locations, you guys will probably be very familiar with their menu. As for me, this is most likely the very first time I have ever been to one of their restaurants. The LV branch is located in the same plaza as Krung Siam, Pho Little Saigon, Quiznos and Starbucks Coffee, on the SE corner of Spring Mountain and Valley View. Currently there is no signage indicating the name (or it was not put out on my first visit on Tuesday around 6pm) and unless you happened to read a little Japanese and can kinda sorta maybe translate the little "We're Open" sign near their front door, it will be hard to guess what kind of food they might serve.
The restaurant interior is pretty simply decorated, with a giant poster of an classic Japanese movie hanging above what looks like the exterior seating area of a ramen-ya in Japan. There are additional smaller, classic Japanese movie posters on the wall, but you will have to tilt your head back to see them. Which is cool, because I enjoy watching old Japanese movies, and it kind of reminded me of the decor of the ramen museum (Yokohama, Japan) I visited with a a group of friends a few years back.
Seats in the booth are surprisingly comfortable, thanks to the cushy cushions for our tushies. It is the next best thing for our arse, than a pricier Derriere Facial. Such thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.
The menu features entrees served with rice (such as various curries, katsu, sweet & sour pork meatballs), fried rice and noodles, and 1/3 of the menu dedicated to their diverse line up of ramen.
Here are my impressions of the food I tried on my two visits (dinner and lunch):
Shoyu Ramen: Broth was mild but flavorful, not overly salty compared to most local ramen restaurants. Chasu is nice, but could be even more tender and flavorful. Suggested add-ons: Wakame, 3 slices of Chasu, and Ajitsuke Tamago (Japanese flavored soft boiled egg). (3.5/5)
Pork Fried Rice: Simply prepared. Tasty. (3.5/5)
Gyoza: Nothing extraordinary, but prepared well. Has nice crispy base, and is a good appetizer. Server recommended that we eat it with the spicy oil (Ra-Yu). (3.5/5)
Beef Curry on Rice: Decent. (3/5)
Spicy House Special Ramen (mild): Pretty good portion. A lot of ingredients, even without any add-ons. Leosdianto L. commented that it kind of reminded him of ramen we make at home, and I agree. (3.5/5)
Nikudango (Sweet & Sour Pork Meatballs): The sauce seems to be on the salty side, but I didn't try this with rice. Reminded me of meatballs on a skewer, without the pineapple and the stick. (3/5)
Service (early dinner): We were the only there, so service was excellent. The evening crew seems to be staff by mostly Japanese mothers. They were very friendly, attentive, and food came out of the kitchen fairly quickly. (4.5/5)
Service during the lunch rush (customers were overwhelmingly Japanese ex-pats, including local business owners and social gathering of house wives. When I closed my eyesand listen to their conversation, which I can't understand at all, it almost felt like I am in Japan without the cost of flight and hours on the plane) was friendly and attentive, but took the kitchen noticeably longer to serve up two bowls of ramen. (2.5/5)
Obviously the restaurant is very new, so it is super clean, and I expect that it will be maintained that way.
Parking. Not all that much (maybe 85) parking spaces in this tiny strip mall when it gets really busy. And there are no street parking in the immediate surrounding, being on the corner of two high traffic streets. Big city dwellers will be used to that, for the rest be patient or walk a block or two. (3/5)
Final thoughts. Koraku, once it has been opened for awhile and worked out most of the new restaurant kinks, it will be a respectable competition to other local Japanese restaurants that primarily serve ramen and curry. Ramen combo deals (ramen + 1/2 order of fried rice or curry rice) is a good value for the Hungry-Man (R) and Hungry-Woman (patent registration pending).
P.S. It was great running into Mike C. and James I on my first visit. Thanks for inviting me to join your party. You guys are cool!
P.P.S. Now accepting cash, credit and debit, gold and silver coins, and I.O.U.s from your pals.
3.5 stars.
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