Take-out: Yes Accepts Credit Cards: Yes Good for Kids: Yes Good for Groups: Yes Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
3 reviews
Shizue Stayton
Pretty good Ramen. Definitely not the worst as these other reviews are saying, but I've had Setagaya before and didn't like it as much. I think it's kinda hard to mess Ramen up and it really does just depend on the broth and the price. For the price and taste, i'll definitely come back. It's a nice little place to come and thaw while the temperatures drop.
As cute and adorable as this place may look, I can't say the same for their ramen noodles. Since I pass by here all the time, I finally decided to check it out and I'm sad to say, I was not impressed.
I ended up ordering their Shoyu ramen ($8.50) and although their noodles were cooked to chewy perfection, their add-on was awful. First off, their pork was tough as leather and instead of melting in my anticipated watering mouth; the protein fiber of the pork clinched its dear life onto my teeth, which really was not a pretty sight.
Their raw onions were overpowering and their bamboo was not flavorful and tasted bland. As for their broth, it was lacking with the rich pork flavor that I anticipated and ultimately, I'm sad to say, but the soup as a whole failed.
Although, I have to say, the people there were very pleasant and friendly and will greet you as you walked in. The restaurant is small, but it was decorated very well and felt very cozy.
This isn't the first time I've had ramen, but it is maybe only the second or third, so take that for what it's worth in terms of reviewing Kuidouraku.
I enjoyed it well enough — but was reminded on a few occasions by my dining partner that this was merely the place for us to go when we couldn't get in to her preferred ramen dining establishment.
However that factoid shouldn't deter you from coming here, as I found my restaurant requirements to be well fulfilled — the wait staff (waitress? there was only one — the place isn't large) was attentive and pleasant and constantly refilled my water, the food was served fast and to our specific specifications and it wasn't too expensive.
We got the plate of shrimp dumplings to split as an appetizer; they were fortunately not too expensive as they're kind of small. You're certainly not getting a Chinatown-type deal here, but in terms of appetizers they weren't bad. Not enough for a meal, though
And compared to the bowls of ramen they were tiny. I ordered the spiciest ramen on the menu (R13), as I was looking for some spicy food, and they didn't give me the "white guy" spicy treatment — this stuff nearly burned my face off. But I was committed to finish it, and the waitress was kind enough to bring me a little plain broth to mix in after it became clear I was struggling. Shrimp still had the shells on, which always bothers me, but the rest of the seafood was fine.
We also had the regular ramen (R2 on the menu) which was a little salty, but I like it salty so no complaints from me there. There were plenty of ingredients packed in there, and we didn't lack for food — neither of us finished our dishes.
Overall I thought everything was fine, though I don't have a whole lot of room for comparison. The restaurant itself is kind of small, with a four-person table looking out through a glass wall onto 1st Ave. which is kind of nice on a winter's day. There's also two 8-top communal tables, which means if you don't like other people eating near you, this might not be your place.
Pretty good Ramen. Definitely not the worst as these other reviews are saying, but I've had Setagaya before and didn't like it as much. I think it's kinda hard to mess Ramen up and it really does just depend on the broth and the price. For the price and taste, i'll definitely come back. It's a nice little place to come and thaw while the temperatures drop.
As cute and adorable as this place may look, I can't say the same for their ramen noodles. Since I pass by here all the time, I finally decided to check it out and I'm sad to say, I was not impressed.
I ended up ordering their Shoyu ramen ($8.50) and although their noodles were cooked to chewy perfection, their add-on was awful. First off, their pork was tough as leather and instead of melting in my anticipated watering mouth; the protein fiber of the pork clinched its dear life onto my teeth, which really was not a pretty sight.
Their raw onions were overpowering and their bamboo was not flavorful and tasted bland. As for their broth, it was lacking with the rich pork flavor that I anticipated and ultimately, I'm sad to say, but the soup as a whole failed.
Although, I have to say, the people there were very pleasant and friendly and will greet you as you walked in. The restaurant is small, but it was decorated very well and felt very cozy.
This isn't the first time I've had ramen, but it is maybe only the second or third, so take that for what it's worth in terms of reviewing Kuidouraku.
I enjoyed it well enough — but was reminded on a few occasions by my dining partner that this was merely the place for us to go when we couldn't get in to her preferred ramen dining establishment.
However that factoid shouldn't deter you from coming here, as I found my restaurant requirements to be well fulfilled — the wait staff (waitress? there was only one — the place isn't large) was attentive and pleasant and constantly refilled my water, the food was served fast and to our specific specifications and it wasn't too expensive.
We got the plate of shrimp dumplings to split as an appetizer; they were fortunately not too expensive as they're kind of small. You're certainly not getting a Chinatown-type deal here, but in terms of appetizers they weren't bad. Not enough for a meal, though
And compared to the bowls of ramen they were tiny. I ordered the spiciest ramen on the menu (R13), as I was looking for some spicy food, and they didn't give me the "white guy" spicy treatment — this stuff nearly burned my face off. But I was committed to finish it, and the waitress was kind enough to bring me a little plain broth to mix in after it became clear I was struggling. Shrimp still had the shells on, which always bothers me, but the rest of the seafood was fine.
We also had the regular ramen (R2 on the menu) which was a little salty, but I like it salty so no complaints from me there. There were plenty of ingredients packed in there, and we didn't lack for food — neither of us finished our dishes.
Overall I thought everything was fine, though I don't have a whole lot of room for comparison. The restaurant itself is kind of small, with a four-person table looking out through a glass wall onto 1st Ave. which is kind of nice on a winter's day. There's also two 8-top communal tables, which means if you don't like other people eating near you, this might not be your place.