Nami Ramen
Location: Clayton, MO
Food: Ramen, rice bowls, steamed buns
Atmosphere: Counter serve ramen shop with a modern twist
Signature Tonkotsu filled with creamy pork broth seasoned with shio tare (mix of ingredients added to the broth), a soft-boiled egg, braised pork belly, minced onion, woodear mushrooms and bamboo shoots
http://namiramen.com/
Ramen has always been one of my favorite meals.
No... not the noodle blocks with the salt packets. I ate enough of those in college...
The real ramen with house-made broth, handmade noodles and flavor that cannot often be described in full-- other than delicious and comforting.
While on another prop-escapade for work, Emily and I decided to play Wheel of Lunch to decide on our food. You can check it out here.
After the wheel spun through the food options within a 5 mile radius, it landed on this little ramen shop in Clayton. With options for both myself and Emily, it was a winner indeed.
The corner shop was all windows. Upon walking in, we were met with a wall-sized menu, with full descriptions of the bowls and a list of lunch specials. The dining space had a variety of tall and short wooden tables, modern metal chairs and hanging pendant lights. The ceiling even had red noodle-like wires hung from the ceiling as artistic decoration.
The lunch specials came with one of six signature Ramen bowls, a side of gyoza, edamame, or small salad, and a drink. I chose the Signature Tonkotsu, a side of gyoza, and a Dr Pepper.
My ramen and gyoza were so tasty. My gyoza was cooked to a soft, crispy crunch, and the moist meat on inside mixed well with the side sauce.
The Signature Tonkotsu came out filled to the brim with creamy pork broth and a soft-boiled egg. The broth is seasoned with shio tare (mix of ingredients added to the broth), and came with braised pork belly, minced onion, woodear mushrooms and bamboo shoots. I was surprised to even see corn in the mix!
While the bowl was well-portioned, the hearty ingredients filled me up. It was a great mixture of salty and savory. The broth was full-bodied, without the underlying 'fishy' taste from dashi mixtures. The noodles absorbed the flavor, and I didn't hesitate to slurp them up... or the pork belly.
I will return to try the Steamed Buns... I love steamed buns...
