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| - Noodlecat is a great concept and something Cleveland needs more of. Chef-driven, casual food and a cuisine outside the comfort zone of pirogies and grilled cheese.
However, execution here is needs work.
Ordered two bowls of noodles: one Ramen, the other udon. In addition, three buns.
The broth for the noodles wasn't hot enough, and as my brother noted, lacked depth. What they lacked in depth and simmer-time, resulted in an overload of sodium. The ramen as well, not the house made ones (those are difficult to make even in he best ramen shops) but the ones manufactured in Nee Jersey, lacked alkaline and the right proportions to make them delightfully chewy and springy as ramen noodles should be. They had a consistency of spaghetti. The pork in mine was also chewy to the point of being inedible. Did not finish more than 1/3rd of mine.
The buns were a bit pedestrian as well-- saturated with spicy mayo or hoisin, and came in been-there-done-that combinations. The buns themselves I don't think we're well executed either, as they were not as pillowy and freshly steamed as buns should be.
Again, loved the concept-- ticking boxes off on paper menus to be submitted to the staff. The decor is nice and comfortable, albeit a bit grimy given the stickiness of the tables.
Overall, go to Noodlecat because you want to support local business and try it out. Cleveland doesn't really have any other ramen bar, right? Don't go if you're familiar and KNOW West Coast, NYC and actual ramen from Japan.
Cheers and enjoy!
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