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| - I LOVE ramen. And I LOVE the movie Tampopo. So maybe I had really high expectations for this place...
This place just does not do it for me. I really appreciate the open kitchen and home-made noodles, and I think it is great that they have even altered the noodle with a spicy version if you so choose...but the broth is just not my favorite. And the broth is critical to a good bowl of ramen!
I like a simple, clear broth which is tasty; this is not an option at Tampopo. The closest is the Tonkotsu - which in my opinion is too opaque and bland for my taste. I have had bowls of ramen at other restaurants (and home-made) which had much more clarity and much more flavor. It was necessary to add the hot pepper seasoning and a little soy sauce to give the broth more depth. Some people really enjoy a fatty piece of meat and while the pork was tasty, there was a tad too much fat for me. The toppings were fine, but my goodness how could NARUTO not be an option for an addition at this restaurant?!? If you have seen Tampopo, you would know that this is a traditional topping to ramen. Just look up Tampopo Ramen Master scene or check out this link in YouTube - https://youtu.be/6WrkdTrrwew. This is how a bowl of ramen should be made, and eaten. I understand that being in AZ we cannot always expect the same traditional Japanese ingredients in our food; however, this a frozen item than can be obtained at a local Asian market. It baffles me.
The appetizers are good, especially the Hirata buns, pork belly, and takoyaki. There are more interesting ones that I want to try, but I am just not sure I will visit this place again because I do not like the soup. Tampopo is really close to my neck of the woods so this is quite saddening to me!
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