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| - Ramen in the NW?! Thank you, baby J!
To say I was excited when I saw that Ichi had opened up is an understatement. Every time I drove by it, longing would wash over me, but I would keep driving, resolving to one day stop and enjoy a bowl of delicious brothy magic. That took longer than expected but I suggested this spot to my friend for lunch this weekend and she was all for it. YES! Finally.
We got there right when they opened on a Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and there were people waiting outside already. I felt a bit territorial. I was thinking "yo, I don`t want to have to fight someone. I come here in peace, but I`m hungry". When they opened up the doors, we walked into a clean, modern eating area with booths on the right hand side and a bar style seating area on the left. We snagged the first booth on the right. I need space to spread out all the food and joy I derive from eating it. Bar seating just does not provide that option.
Anyway, we were brought water pretty quickly. They give you handled cups with ice and then they have a cute farmhouse type bottle with water that you can pour from. It's probably tap water, but I ain't mad at their attempt to be fancy. I see you, Ichi. We also ordered some Sapporo because what else goes well with ramen? Come on people. Get on this level. Sapporo was as expected: cold, crisp, delicious. They brought us cups with the bottles and offered to pour it a moment too late because we were already doing it. No points deducted.
Our waiter came over soon after and I cannot remember his name but he is the nice young man with braces. Okay, I just felt hella old typing that, but yes, he was friendly and attentive. We had a few menu questions and in the end I ended up ordering the chicken ramen combo with spicy tuna roll and salad. My lunch date opted for the seafood ramen with vegetarian broth. She really wanted the curry ramen but it is made with pork broth. Suggestion: Offer the curry ramen with vegetarian broth somehow and that would be a great option for folks who do not eat pork.Just sayin'. Would be a great option for the menu, but hey what do I know? Everything, clearly. Lastly, we ordered the deep fried soft shell crab because it looked amazing on the menu and our nice young man with braces waiter said it was delicious. SOLD!
My chicken ramen was amazing. I really enjoyed it. The broth was deep and complex. That is my foodie way of saying I ate it all. Seriously, the broth was really good, comforting and really hit the spot. The egg was soft boiled, which was nice. Sometimes I get an overcooked egg and I do not have time for that nonsense in my ramen. Noodles were tender but had bite. My only gripe is that there was not enough chicken, but hey I get it. Overall, filling and very satisfying. They gave me some chili sauce on the side but I didn`t use it for some reason. Next time. They give you the option of mild, medium, and spicy. The spicy tuna roll was good. I read another review that said it was too salty? I don`t think so. I thought it was perfect and it was spicy. I had to replenish my fancy bottled tap water several times. Salad was fine with a light dressing on it. Gotta get those greens' y'all.
My friend got the seafood ramen with vegetable broth as I mentioned before and while she thought it was good, there was a turn off in the fact that Ichi did not shell the shrimp. It was just messy to eat having to stick your fingers into the bowl and retrieve the shrimp to peel it. If they had peeled it, I think it would have been a lot better. Take note Ichi: peel those shrimp, please. If we wanted to peel shrimp, we would have gone to Hot N Juicy. Overall, she said the flavors were good, though.
The crowning glory? That dang deep fried soft shell crab. Look, I would marry this appetizer if that were possible. It was fall apart soft once you got beyond that initial crunch. The carrot puree at the bottom was unexpected and divine. I`ll take ten more, thanks.
Overall, a solid three stars. Good service, decent prices, happy tummy food. Just peel those shrimp and get a vegetarian curry ramen option and I would not hesitate giving more stars. I will be back.
If you like ramen and have been waiting for a place on this side of town, this is it. Enjoy.
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