Baltimore, what is wrong with you? Do you hate Ramen or something? I mean come on! It’s not that hard to make (well, hard to make well but whatever)! Alkaline noodles, a kickass broth and some stuff in it, that’s pretty much it. Behind Pho as the “least repesented cusine in Baltimore City,” there’s barely one hand’s worth of establishments that serve any kind of Ramen whatsoever, Tonkotsu or otherwise (more on that after this whinefest). You’ve got your Seafood Ramen at Matsuri in Federal Hill, Beef Ramen at Tuscany-Canterbury’s Chocolatea , I’ve seen a noodle bowl on Of Love and Regret’s menu (at least, it was at one point) and like, that’s about it.
Except…..
what’s this ….
Well hello there, Shiso Tavern’s (2933 O’Donnell St., Canton) Shiso Ramen Noodle Bowl ($14, may be $16 as of this post). My, your Tonkotsu broth certainly is rich and porky. That fried pork belly draped across the top of those bean sprouts, chilis, soft egg and scallions certainly is crispy and fatty in all the right ways. It sure does go well with that Hoisin Sauce provided. The Rooster Sauce on the side can be added to my liking and desired heat level, boy howdy. Jesus, this shit is good. I’m probably butchering this quote but I’m reminded by something Anthony Bourdain said regarding a clear Pho broth he sampled in Vietnam: “I’d suck this out of Bea Arthur’s asshole everyday 24/7. It’s that good.”
Seriously. I know most of you who’ve been to some highfalutin place in DC or god forbid Momofuku in NYC, please keep your “UM UM EXCUSE ME BLAH BLAH I’VE HAD BETTER IN NEW YORK CITY” comments to yourself. To be sure, this is the best Ramen bowl available in Baltimore. Be that as it may.
Any other places around here worth mentioning? Ramen? Anyone? Anyone else love this shit aas much as I do?
Sweet jesus do we need good Ramen in Bmore! I’m going to have to head over and check it out.
The roasted duck noodle bowl at Zongshan is my go-to around town. It’s simple but delicious…roasted duck, bok choy, noodles & broth. And, it’s only like $8 for a dinner-sized bowl.
OoOOOOooooOO
OOOOH, thanks for this tip! I live right around the corner from Zongshan and love the soupssssss.
I’ve been looking a for a good place for some Ramen. Thanks for the recommendation!
Spice and Dice has a tasty-as-hell bowl of ramen. sure, they’re not in the city, but they’re close enough.
Chocolatea, Evan! Chocolatea!!
City. NO. County. YES. Catonsville. Or as I sometimes refer to it as Koreatonsville. Great Pho places everywhere.
Pho is vietnamese not Korean
I cant stand Ramen!! Hate it!!! And ramen noodles have about zero nutritional value…might as well eat a freakin bag of potato chips.
There’s pretty decent and CHEAP ramen (as well as other Korean and quasi-Korean options) at, I swear to god, Nina’s Espresso Bar at Calvert and Center St, around the corner from Center Stage.
oOoOoOoooooooo
I just moved back to the area after 13 years in NYC. And that is the question I just now asked. I craved ramen in NY and was able to get some Goooood bowls of it, and it wasn’t from Momofuku.. thanks for this! Like seriously. Ill def check it out. and I hope to God its as good as you say 😉