Hands down the best ramen in St. Louis. I've tried a lot of spots around the city, and nothing hits like this place. The broth is rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The noodles are perfectly cooked, the toppings are fresh, and the portions are generous without feeling overdone. It's a small, cozy restaurant, so expect a wait during peak hours -- but trust me, it's worth it. The space feels intimate and authentic, which honestly adds to the charm. Once you're seated and that bowl hits the table, you forget you even waited. If you're in St. Louis and craving real ramen, this is the spot. No question. read more

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I feel like I've been waiting forever to try this place and I finally got the chance last night. My boyfriend suggested we come here and I was hesitant because I figured there'd be a line and we probably wouldn't get in. When we pulled up, there was a line but it moved quicker than we thought. Once we got inside, we were both surprised at how small it was. While I've yet to go to Japan, it def gives off the vibe strictly from ambiance and the decor. It's small but intimate and offers seats at the "bar", as well as communal seating. We didn't get a choice and were sat at the bar. Ordering is done through the QR code and water is offered self-serve. We split an order of the appetizers: house cucumbers and karaage. I'm not a huge cucumber fan but I tried it. I preferred the one with miso as I found it to be more subtle in taste. The chicken was average and didn't wow me. We each got the chicken shoyu with no pork, no scallions and an extra egg. It felt like it took a long time to get our food. We were both surprised once we got it as we were expecting actual chicken pieces but after rereading the menu description, it was chicken oil. He was a bit disappointed as both our dishes were covered in scallions. I suggested we not send it back since it took quite a while to get our food and they were close to closing. Nevertheless, I found the broth to be tasty and full of flavor despite there being no meat. Overall, it was a solid first visit. read more

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Wow! This was an experience but one that I had been planning for a while. The line to enter started at 4:15-quickly got in line and upon opening, things moved quickly. My friend and I had the pork shoyu ramen, tantanmen, house cucumbers, & Japanese chicken, karaage. Our food was served quickly and fresh prepared--we loved the cucumber-they came with two different marinates and were very good as was the chicken and its sauce. My first traditional ramen and it was different--the broth was a bit salty and smoky for me--the noodles, pork and eggs were very good. I will try the rest of the menu items on my next visit. I'm looking forward to returning. read more

Felt like a traditional Japanese ramen bar. It was very small and cozy inside and the wait was worth it. They have a QR code for a digital waitlist so you can keep warm in your car while you wait in the winter. This is absolutely a must-try in STL! read more

Menya Rui - Karaage - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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I went here tonight for dinner and it was great. Everything about the food was amazing and quick. The atmosphere was quiet and secluded. The self serve was convenient and the staff were very welcoming and helpful. I'd recommend about anything on the menu. I tried my friends' food and would have ordered all of them. read more

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Highly recommend!!! First, we got the two appetizers on the menu. The cucumbers were prepared in two ways and both were so fresh and crunchy. It especially paired well with the second appetizer, the karaage chicken. The warm crispy bite of the fried chicken followed by a refreshing crisp of the cucumbers was chef's kiss. Next, the pork ramen was perfect. The broth wasn't too thick, wasn't too oily, and balanced perfectly with the eggs (which you 100% cannot skip!) and other toppings. Last, the tsukemen was also delicious - thick and chewy noodles dipped in light broth that coats the noodles so that you can taste the flavor of the broth and the meat in one bite. Our food was also very quick to come out - appetizers came within 5-7 minutes after we sent in our order (you order by scanning a QR code with your phone after you're seated). Inside, it's crowded but a very cozy atmosphere! :) read more

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Hot take: if you can get in within 30 minutes of waiting then this is a for sure. But we ended up waiting almost 2 hours on a Sunday night on the waitlist, and while good there's very little food that is worth waiting that amount of time. We got their karaage and house cucumbers for appetizers - the karaage was nothing special, but I really liked the house cucumbers that came marinated in 2 ways. My favorite was the tsukeman (dipping ramen) as I could really enjoy the texture of the noodles. My friends got the pork shoyu, which had great broth, and the tantanmen, which was good but I didn't think was extra special compared to other places. They also have chicken broth to add to the tsukeman dipping broth after you were done with the noodles, although at that point I was already too full. The restaurant isn't that large and they really try to get people seated, fed, and then out the door to get people in before doors close at 10. They are always polite, but if you don't like eating food in a rush (or just a very slow eater), then I'd try to catch them on an off hour. They have an online wait list, smaller parking lot in a plaza area but plenty of street parking on the street next to it. I'd recommend getting on the waitlist early and then doing something else if you really want to wait on a weekend. read more

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When they write the history of great St. Louis restaurants I do not know if Menya rui will be there. The broth was rich, filled with chalice and sought to tell a tale of a different time. A lost time. The meat was tougher, clashed with the broth, for I wished there was but more camaraderie. The ambiance was close knit, we spoke well of our neighbors, to hold and to look at one another. read more

Menya Rui - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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What an amazing experience. Tucked in a little strip mall, with a line winding around the building, Menya Rui serves the best Ramen I've had in St. Louis and it's not even close. I ordered the pork shoyu-- a modest amount of meat, but done pretty well; great menma, ajitama, and broth; and excellent noodles. I enjoyed this so much and can't wait to come back. If you don't like having to wait for your food, or small somewhat loud/crowded spaces, this may not be the place for you. But if you like ramen, this is a must try in St. Louis. read more

Menya Rui - Pork shoyu - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

First time trying authentic ramen & this was the best place to do so. We live right down the road and always see a long line, so we decided to go on a weekday a little after they opened and we were seated immediately. You grab your chopsticks, water, and napkins before you sit, then you order on your phone with a QR code. Everything came out super fast and was delicious. My only regret was not getting another order of the Karaage appetizer. read more

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2nd time is the charm! Came here before but got scared away by the line. This time, the weather is nice so we stood in line. The line moved faster than we anticipated. We sat at the tiny counter seats by the window. The counter is only about a foot wide and we sat on stools, so not super comfortable. The menu items are limited so food came out fast. We ordered the only 2 appetizers they had and 2 ramens. The appetizers were delicious. Ramens were fine- maybe I had too much expectation after reading all the rave reviews. Parking lot outside the restaurant. read more

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Food was very good. Had the karaage, pork shoyu ramen and the original aburasoba. The karaage had a light crispy exterior and was juicy inside. The shoyu ramen was good, BUT the aburasoba was fantastic. Well seasoned and the noodles were cooked perfectly with a nice and bouncy consistently. The service was non-existent. We came around 8 pm on a Wednesday night. The line was out the door, and we waited approx 45 minutes. You can serve yourself water while you wait. The server was very kind and quick in getting our food once we sat down. The interior vibe is a cozy, dimly lit Japanese bar. Probably not great for large parties but perfect for a date night!! read more

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I really thought going at 8:40 on a hot, Thursday evening would diminish the line but there was still a line :). It wasn't bad, we probably got in within a half an hour. The space is tight but run like a well-oiled machine. The dining director - she totally had control of the dining room and kept it swift and light, indicated we could take chop sticks, napkins, and water at the front station and sat us at the bar. We watched what we could of the action! Looked around to see the other diners slurping up the goodness. I ordered the same Pork Shoyu I typically got before and it was delicious as usual; I was mad at myself as I totally forgot to add an egg! I won't forget that again. I swear I am going to try something different next time! read more

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Well worth the two-hour wait on a Saturday night. Thankfully, we planned ahead. They've added a QR code for the queue, which is super smart, and the line moves reasonably quickly. This is a great spot for authentic ramen. We also love ordering the cucumbers and karaage. Keep in mind this isn't the place for a leisurely dinner. You're encouraged to eat efficiently to make room for fellow patrons. That said, it's truly a gem, and we've enjoyed every visit here. read more

Shoot!!! Based on the 40 minute wait and line out the door and down the sidewalk I had really high expectations. Sadly, I don't get the hype. I've eaten ramen all over the world and I've lived in Tokyo and Menya Rui (translates as noodle store base) just didn't do it for me. Somewhere between the overly salty Shoyu broth and the fact I had to get my own water from an orange Igloo water cooler reminiscent of a contractor job site reality smacked me: the ramen isn't that great! I've had significantly better ramen with significantly less wait in significantly better ambiance. read more

Menya Rui - Karaage - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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We've stopped in Menya Rui multiple times and every time it's been fantastic! Given the size of the establishment, the line outside the door does move fairly quickly as they turn over the diners. However, expect a 30 minute wait on nicer days during dinner time (worth it in my opinion). The restaurant is quaint and cute. Lots of Japanese signage and it's so neat to have a window seeing into the kitchen. Food and drinks are served very quickly after ordering. The staff are always so kind and quick! We always get the pork shoyu ramen with karaage and house cucumbers as an appetizer. The cucumbers are refreshing and crisp! They're served with a rice vinegar pickle on one side and a miso dressing on the other. My preference is the rice vinegar pickle. The karaage are always hot and crisp, which is a great contrast to the cucumbers. For our entree, we get the pork shoyu ramen, which is our favorite. The broth is rich and slurpable, the noodles are a great texture, and their marinated ramen egg is so worth it! Love stopping by when in the area and will continue to do so in the future! read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed our first visit here. So worth the (not very long) wait. The service was as high level as the delish food. The cucumber app was a perfect starter-- some pickled and some with a yummy and light miso dressing. We were super impressed with the noodle quality and flavors overall. Chef Tobin has it going on! We will look forward to a return trip! read more

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I'm not a ramen connoisseur and I enjoyed my meal! They communicated the wait time well and the ramen was SO fast once we ordered! I'd recommend checking out this place in stl! read more

Menya Rui - Pork ramen - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

I'll keep this short. Menya Rui is the only place in STL you should ever go for ramen. It is the only ramen place in STL that has ever made me nod "yep...yep...finally" in terms of how a legit bowl of ramen should taste. The pork shoyu is deep, flavorful, and I absolutely love that it is full of fatback, as it should! It is neither heavy nor too rich that you can only have a few slurps and get sick of it. No, you will ingest the entire bowl, wanting more. If anything, their portion size is not very generous. Their chasu is cooked to perfection and in hindsight, I wish I had ordered an extra portion of chasu. My husband ordered the tantanmen mazemen and we loved it as well.P Their mazemen had a great bite and my shoyu ramen noodles could've been more firm, but at this point, I'm just being nitpicky because eveyrthing else was executed well. Oh, get the pickles. read more

Menya Rui - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Menya Rui is the Beyoncé of noodle shops: limited appearances, massive talent, and absolutely worth waiting for. Yes, the line is long. Yes, you will question your life choices around the 20-minute mark. But then your bowl arrives and suddenly you're like, "Oh... THAT'S why half of St. Louis is standing outside in the heat/cold/rain like we're waiting for concert tickets." The menu is small, but don't mistake that for basic. Every single item is crafted with the kind of precision that says, "We don't need 40 options -- we only need the right ones." It's like the chef edited out all the nonsense and left only the greatest hits. The noodles? Absolute perfection. The broth? I'm pretty sure it's legally classified as a controlled substance. Each bowl tastes like it took a decade of practice and possibly a pact with the culinary gods. The space is cozy, the energy is great, and the food is so unbelievable it makes the wait feel like part of the ritual. By the time you sit down, you've earned that bowl -- and trust me, your taste buds will thank you for your service. If you haven't been, go. If there's a line, join it. And if someone tells you the wait isn't worth it... they're either lying or trying to keep the line shorter. read more

Always a great experience at Menya Rui! I tried something new this time and I loved it. The Tantanmen Brothless is spicy but not out of control. We had about a ten minute wait getting there around 5:10. We were out of there in less than 30 minutes. The staff is so quick and helpful with everything. Always highly recommended! read more

Menya Rui - Tantanmen brothless - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Their FAQ says it all: there are only 24 seats, and they do not offer takeout, as to-go ramen is virtually nonexistent in Japan for maximum quality. This is for the nights you want something warm, comforting, and delicious but don't have the energy for a full night out. Bring a coat and prepare to wait in line outside, but it moves quickly. Plus, you have the promise of warmth waiting on the other side. read more

Menya Rui - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Ramen was pretty good! it was honestly not worth the wait in my opinion though, I wish the hype would die down because it just would be a nice place to just run in and grab a bowl real quick ! other than that the service was great and the inside was very cute. read more

Menya Rui - pork ramen - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Let me start by saying that I have never been to Japan and am not a culinary expert by any means, but this place really wasn't anything special for me. I know it's gotta be almost impossible to live up to the hype they've garnered, but between the wait (understandable), the desire to turn tables quickly (also understandable), and the food itself, I was really underwhelmed. The karaage, I will say, was excellent. And you can't go wrong with a little Kewpie on the side. But between the three of us at dinner, only one of us really cared for their ramen. I got the Original Tsukemen, and enjoyed the nice chew of the noodles but thought the broth was too funky in the wrong way, and the dipping without a big soup spoon was sorta fiddly. My husband enjoyed his but our friend got the pork ramen and said the broth was fishy in an unexpected and odd way. Again, I know the experience and the menu is meant to reflect an authentic Japanese ramen shop, but there are so many great options in STL that I don't think I'll be back here. read more

Not just delicious, but an experience. It's small and intimate, and the open kitchen allows for a look at the chefs operating as a well oiled machine. The smells, the vibes of the music, and the flavors of the food when it arrives at your table are a feast for the senses! My tantanmen with added egg was the best ramen I've had outside of LA, and the karaage was so simple but packed a punch. The service is very minimal, but it certainly doesn't feel lacking - the staff are quick to clear dishes and quite friendly for how busy it is. read more

Menya Rui - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

This is the best Ramen in Saint Louis, everything is hand made and with specialty Japanese equipment. Very traditional and I would l know because I lived in Japan for several months and have been to many regions of Japan. Its the best. Perfect spot for Dinner - go get it. Might have to stand in-line but its worth it. read more

Holy cow this was excellent. My daughter and I got there 6 minutes after they opened and there was a line of about 20 people out front. We waited for almost an hour to get in. It's tiny. Maybe seats around 25 inside. This was worth the wait. Started with the House Cucumbers and Japanese fried chicken. Both great. My daughter had the Pork Shoyu and I had the Tantanmen Brothless. So good. Don't be scared by the line. Tough it out. This is the real deal. Nothing like it in Saint Louis. read more

I have been waiting to try Menya Rui for a long time now and finally had the opportunity to do so last night. I've read reviews about the line, so we went about 30 minutes after opening. There were several parties in front of us, but the line did indeed go very quickly, as other reviews have stated. Inside, the restaurant is very small and bustling. You can see directly into the kitchen, with bar seating at one end and seating at the window at the other. You order using a QR code, and the chopsticks and water are self-serve when you enter. We started with the house cucumbers, which includes both miso cucumbers and pickled cucumbers. They were tasty and a nice palate stimulator before the ramen. The cucumbers did lack a bit of crunch, but overall I liked the fact you got two different flavors. For my entree, I ordered the pork shoyu. Overall, it was packed with flavor -- the broth was rich, and the noodles were perfectly chewy. The ramen was also topped with pork shoulder chasyu, menma, scallion, and nori. This was my first experience with traditional Japanese ramen, and I loved it. My only critiques are the broth was a bit too salty for me, and I would have loved to have more meat with the ramen, instead of a single slice of pork. Although I came into the night with very high expectations, I did really enjoy my experience and meal at Menya Rui and do think I will return! read more

Menya Rui - Pork Shoyu (left) and Tantanmen (right) - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

This is by far the best Ramen in STL. Authentic, bold flavors. Almost as if you are eating grandma's cooking. Our son ordered Pork Shoyu (pictured), Tantanmen (which is the chili oil & sesame paste. Also pictured) , the brothless tantanmen (not pictured. My husband started eating right away a good sign) & we also ordered the two appetizers karaage (fried chicken bites) & house cucumbers a nice fresh bit to accompany the Karaage. Every time we go we are I awe of how good the food is. It feels as if you are going to a little local joint in Japan. Waiting in a line until a line a table opens up for your party. You order food & pay on your phone and then the waitstaff brings your items to you. Quick service & delicious food =10/10 experience read more

Menya Rui - Pork Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Meh. How was this #2 out of 100 in the US in 2024? Service and ambiance were fine. No issues. Food however did not wow my taste buds. Had the Pork Shoyu. Not worth the wait. Show up by yourself - you will likely get seated faster. read more

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A great place to grab some simple Japanese foods! The karaage was super crispy and tasted great with their special pepper. The ramen broth was super flavorful and the abura soba was packed with different textures and spices. Some of the dishes were a bit too salty for my liking but overall was a good experience. Be prepared to wait in line, no reservations allowed. read more

Menya Rui - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Very small space but quick! The girl was friendly and explained how to order - we got our food super quickly. Mine was the tantanmen and it was great read more

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the most scrumpdillyumpcious ramen i have ever had in my entire life. when i took the first bite, it was as if i had been transported halfway across the globe to the bustling city of tokyo. i literally ascended to the heavens with aromatic pork shoyu goodness. the staff were all very welcoming and helpful and the restaurant is quaint and cozy with little seating but amazing people and food. read more

Menya Rui - pork shoyu - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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I went to Menya Rui a few times now ever since they opened and it's amazing how the line is still as long as when they were new to the block. Pro tip for anyone who's never been here: avoid the weekend since it would be at least 45 to an hour wait. I think the best thing on the menu is the dipping noodles (tsukemen). The texture of the noodles is chewier than the ramen noodles so it could soak up all the flavor. The ramen is also good. Chicken shoyu broth is less fatty than the pork shoyu but tastes very similar. Their broth is a little salty to me so I like to add the pure broth that used to thin out the tsukemen to the ramen instead. Their pork chashu very tender. Highly recommend ordering add ons like eggs and extra chashu. I think for the price Menya rui is super amazing and they stay pretty true to the authentic ramen experience. read more

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First off, we got there 5 minutes after 5 (when they open) and still waited 30+ minutes. Walking in it is a very small space and you serve yourself in terms of chopsticks, water, and paper. Ordering is relatively easy with a QR code and the menu is pretty simple. We ordered the pork shoyu and tantanmen. When we first got the food I was very surprised that my ramen had no runny egg, something I felt was a standard for ramen. The broth was a little salty but the noodles were chewy. The tantanmen had great noodles but sauce and taste were standard. All of the experience combined with the mid food made the wait not worth it. read more

Menya Rui - Pork shoyu and tantanmen - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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The hype is real. The line was out around the corner by the time my friends and I got there around 5:30pm on a friday in 50 degree weather. I think my friend perfectly described the wait time outside when she said that you've talked so much during your wait that by the time you get inside, you're done talking about everything you wanted to discuss so you just eat and your hangout is done. We waited for a little over an hour outside. If you're in a bigger group you'll have to wait longer for the tables to clear up. You wait outside until someone comes out to get the next group. It's QR code based on the table where you order and pay. Then they bring out the food to you. You have max an hour to eat so the next group can come in. Food comes out FRESH and surprisingly fast! My friends and I all ordered different items and everything was so good. I couldn't focus on what my friends were gabbing on about. I honestly said, "I'm sorry, but I am SO into this ramen that I cannot think straight and listen to what you're saying." Definite MUST GO! Worth the wait, worth the hype. read more

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*Wish I could give this a 2.5 because it wasn't terrible, just wasn't my preference in taste* We went today (Wednesday) at 6pm and waited about 25 min outside--which wasn't too bad of a wait at all. The inside is fairly small and can only hold up to 20-25 people so I wouldn't recommend going with a huge group. You will most likely be seated with other people next to you at the same table. We got the Karaage, Tantanmen, and Tantanmen Brothless. The Karaage was alright--a bit too dry for my liking. The batter wasn't too crunchy, but it wasn't soggy either. The chicken was thick and the texture is similar to chicken breast. It wasn't really anything special. The Tantanmen was bland and a bit too oily. It wasn't spicy at all but the ramen seasoning and pepper on the table brought out the flavor a little more. The Tantanmen Brothless was extremely salty and I was unable to finish it because I felt like I was eating noodles and salt. It had a deep sesame taste to it and it was really rich. At first, all I could taste was the sesame paste, but after putting in the black vinegar provided, it made it a bit easier to eat. The ground pork was flavorful and I added chasyu to it and those were the best parts of the ramen. read more

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Everything was perfection. Need I say more? The noodles with the best flavor and spices. The karage was the chewiest yet still tender!!! And the cucumber salsa I loveeee. Will definitely come back. Only downside is that you will have to wait in line, but depend on the hour you visit, might not be so bad. Good size parking lot. Inside environment gives typical Asian restaurants where you sit closer and can have conversations with each other, it's also fun to match with stranger so you can share your mutual love for food! read more

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I made it out to Menya Rui and tried the Tantanmen Ramen that is scrumptious with the amazing broth and noodles that are so fresh and made in house. This bowl of ramen was incredible and is in the same highest class of ramen that I used to get in the three years I lived in Okinawa, Japan. This ramen joint was #2 on Yelp's restaurants for 2024 so I was dying to get here and I'm glad I did. I started out with the Japanese fried chicken and house cucumbers appetizers that were very flavorful especially the dipping sauce for the fried chicken, so yum! I hope in the future more appetizers are added to the menu a such as Japanese gyoza dumplings that I'm a big fan of. I'm glad I got there early before it opened since it's a small, but cozy 24-seat Japanese Izakaya-style restaurant that filled up fast. The menu isn't extensive menu or a large choice of beverages it does so is pretty limited in that regard. Also you pretty much need to order dinner on a smartphone that I'm not a fan of that kind of service but it doesn't matter to me since I'll be back, those noodles and broth are so worth it. read more

Menya Rui - Tantanmen Ramen. Wow, on point! - Ramen Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Be prepared to do everything with a QR code: join the waitlist, place your order and pay. They have a strict one hour policy, but hopefully that doesn't include waiting for your food... which is delicious and authentic read more

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