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| - Never wrote a review on Monta before, and I certainly don't like writing bad reveiws unless I have a real personal bad rapport with the service, or, knowingly being "stiffed" out of more money for something not worthy or neccessary.
After "Togoshi Ramen" disappeared, Monta is probably the first real "Ramen-ya" (ramen house) opened in Las Vegas. Not a sushi-ya or a restaurant serving ramen, or a ramen-ya being a full restaurant.
Monta's Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen started good, and was good for awhile, and went to "a little too salty" on the ramen soup, but I know they can do better. Went back today after more than a year, and it was back to normal. Still a small place, busy as usual, but, I was in and out in about 30 - 40min. I ate pretty quick, too. I didn't order any extra toppings because I want it to taste it the way it is, plus, I ordered a side of pot stickers and a side of Kimchee Fried Rice. It might be my imagination, but, I think their Kimchee Fried Rice got better. I don't remember if it originally had any bits of shiitake mushrooms in it, but it had it, and it was delicious!
The gyoza (pot stickers) I ordered (not in the photo) was a gyoza. Nothing special. Frankly, I've had better gyoza, and I can too, make a better one (with 30+ years of professional cooking and non-professional experience). However, their specialy is ramen. Tonkotsu Shoyu is difficult to balance in the first place. I can taste the pork broth with the shiitake mushrooms, and a hint of something... not Japanese. May be Chinese, or perhaps that "hihachi" pepper from Okinawa? Great job Monta!
Their other ramen like miso base and shoyu base have always been good.
Ramen soups are always fascinating, because there are so many things you can do to it. There is no "fixed" or "Orthodox" style, or, whatsoever. It has to taste good at your first sip of the soup, hence, very challenging.
Furthermore, I've always loved the way their workers are "up beat" and energetic, how a small and busy place like that should be.
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