Delgado gives The Ramen a try
Downtown has gained another spot for a quick, filling meal.
Downtown Orlando has gained another spot for a quick, filling meal with The Ramen. As the name suggests, this restaurant serves Japanese fare such as ramen or noodle bowls, rice bowls, appetizers such as edamame and more. The Ramen is owned by Shuichi Tanida, the former chef of the Mitsukoshi restaurant at the Japanese pavilion at Walt Disney World’s Epcot.
What I would try a second time
Bowls aren’t just filled with ramen at this restaurant — rice bowls are available as well. The soboro-don ($8.95) was filled to the brim with rice, pork belly, seaweed salad, pickled onion and aji-tamago (marinated soft-boiled egg). Between the gooey pork and the yolky egg, it was a rich dish.
What I didn’t like
The gyoza, or pork dumplings ($4.95), weren’t light on the meat, and therefore the flavor.
What I would put on Instagram
A packed ramen or rice bowl should star on your Instagram account — one’s posted on @Orlando.Foodie.
Other eats
Takoyaki, a snack similar to fritters, featured a crisp shell outside with a spongy inside filled with a piece of octopus. I loved the difference in textures and the umami from the bonito flakes and sauces on top.
The miso-based ramens ($11.95) come either with thinly sliced chicken breast, or for a vegan dish: deep-fried tofu. While I found the base itself to be a bit lacking in the savory flavor I’d expect, the rest of the meal was
delicious — particularly the al dente noodles and tender meat.
For dessert, we opted for the dora-yaki ($4.95), a fluffy pancake filled with red bean pasta. Fruit and whipped cream came with this light treat.
How I was treated
Order at the counter, and your food will be delivered to your table. Every staff member I encountered at The Ramen was perfectly pleasant — and the meals were delivered quickly. Those enjoying ramen will be brought diced onions, garlic, sriracha and other condiments to sprinkle over top.
My next visit
I’d like to continue working my way through The Ramen’s bowls — perhaps for some pork broth next time.
When: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Cost: $9.95-$12.50
Beverages: Soda, water, tea, beer, sake, wine
Wine by the glass: Yes Attire: Casual For bar-hoppers
A handful of sake options are available, along with two beers (Sapporo and Asahi). For a nonalcoholic drink, try Ramune ($2.95), a Japanese soft drink. If you’ve never opened one before, ask a staff member to guide you through it.
For those with special diets
A vegan menu includes three appetizers and two ramen options, including the tofu ramen ($11.95). I appreciated how the fried tofu remained crispy despite its soaking in the miso broth. Spinach, corn, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, and strands of dried chili topped the bowl until a good stir from me.
A: Go to Leonard’s Bakery immediately upon arrival for a coffee and malasada (Portuguese doughnuts). Go to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet to bring back kitschy things for your friends and the Ala Moana Center to take advantage of the Hawaii sales tax. And, of