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| - Summary: make-your-own-noodle-bowl spot offers "meh" broth and noodles, but has solid side dishes, good drink selection, and a comfortable experience for a higher price than competitors
Top Must-Get: seared porkchops side dish
Top Regret: shio pork bone ramen
What I'll Try Next: rice combos
I've come here a few times for lunch. It's a bright and comfortable restaurant, and their preso tea offerings are a big draw in conjunction with their noodle selection.
Service:
Exactly what we expect: seated right away, orders quick to come (they've got this pretty cool laminated order sheet which is actually very eco-friendly compared to competitors), and it's generally no-nonsense. The water took a while to get here on one particular occasion, but it was otherwise okay.
Food:
So many noodle options! Unfortunately, it seems like it does fall to the stereotype of being the jack of all trades, master of none. They've got ramen, pho, instant noodles, vermicelli, egg noodles, Korean clear noodles...***
MINI VENT: BUT do you know what they DON'T have? The WIDE, FLAT kind of "HO FAN"/"HO FUN" noodles. A customize-your-own-noodle place that doesn't have your favourite kind of noodles... the world can mock you sometimes.
...and they've got three types of soup bases to pick from (fish soup, ramen, or pho), and within each type, they've got even MORE options.
Despite these choices, the noodles themselves aren't brilliant. Part of the issue seems to be the broth, which is not spectacular.
The ramen (highest price point)? It's okay.
The pho? Really bland.
Fish soup? Meh.
BUT, you get to pick your own toppings, your own side dishes, and your own drink... and that makes it seem more fun. Upsize your noodles for $2!
The side dishes in particular are the champions. The seared porkchop is juicy, tasty, and a great complementary aspect ($1.99 extra). It's better than the seared chicken, which is also pretty good.
The preso tea is also a very big draw, and gives it more 'credibility' in its drink offerings, although I usually stay with my regular honey lemon tea.
All in all, a comfortable dining experience that is fun, but just a little lacking in quality broth on the mains.
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