(Dined 07/17/23 MO @ 6:00pm): I missed me some ramen!…read more
I wanted something I hadn't eaten yet on my recent trips to Jersey City, so my friend recommended Miso Ramen. She'd been there once before with friends and liked it, so she wanted to try it again. I loved ramen and it's been awhile since I had a big brothy bowl of this comfort dish, so I was excited to give them a shot. Would this ramen joint be a hit or miss for me!?
PURCHASE
Canada Dry Ginger Ale 16.9floz Bottle ($2.50): My friend opted for this settling drink which I also enjoyed especially on a flight. We both initially wanted some alcohol; unfortunately, they didn't sell any here.
Ito En Golden Oolong Tea 11.5floz Can ($3.00): Another non-alcoholic drink that safely paired well with our food. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=U6jGurKaT1QUpkJN-aPhgQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
6pc Scallion Pancake w/Oyster Sauce ($6.00): Large thick slices with a ton of scallions that looked like quesadillas, this simple dish was great with or without the oyster sauce. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=6UFfVPTcEYUhgttT0pP49g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
2pc Crispy Chicken Bun ($7.00): Fluffy absorbent buns filled with a scant amount of crunchy cabbage and mayonnaise with spicy sauce, the chicken had a nice crisp but I wished the sauce was spicier. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=P_nGwfAc_higAPonrdJaGQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Mushroom Ramen ($15.50): A large bowl filled with chicken broth (that also contained tonkatsu sauce) with golden mushrooms, wild ear mushrooms, mushrooms, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, scallions, black garlic oil, and a soft-boiled seasoned egg, the broth was creamy and thick, the noodles chewy and plentiful, and the various mushrooms was limitless. This was top-notch. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=4_S-RJkMw1mh9hqYwQt52A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
Chashu Ramen ($15.50): A large bowl filled with pork broth, four medium slices of chashu pork, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, scallions, black garlic oil, red ginger, and a soft-boiled seasoned egg, the broth had some creaminess and viscosity to it (I preferred that to being thin and watery), the chashu was flavorful and tender, and the rest of the ingredients were standard and complemented well. I wished there were more noodles. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=O2ELoqFLci4csRPQPiET_g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
SERVICE
We were greeted by a young host with menus in hand who also ended up being our server, so maybe they were short-staffed. As we looked over the menu, he provided glasses of water. Once we ordered, our drinks came out immediately while the rest of the food came out in perfect procession. He occasionally checked on us, refilled our water glasses, and settled our tab once we were done. All was chill and straightforward - arigato!
PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance)
My friend and I took the 20 minute walk from her place, so parking wasn't an issue for us. Otherwise, the business was located in a pedestrian-only section of Downtown Jersey City, so the only feasible parking I saw was either street parking away from the location, you rode a bike, took public transportation, or used some sort of driver service - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A clean spacious floorplan https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=8J1iJLYHUKpCYyrpMsQuqQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw with a modern Asian motif mixed with several chairs/tables throughout along with long counter seating. There were very minimal decorations with the exception of some foliage https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=dTiIRzbAvfuw8UtDuWNALw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw at the entrance. Plenty of natural lighting entered through the large glass windows while a ton of electric lights hung from the ceiling filled in the rest. There were no TVs while music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=5vkXaIk6bON63OHcyB0Wzw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was happy to finally have my first ramen experience in Jersey City at Miso Ramen and would consider another visit to try more of their menu. I wouldn't say their ramen was on-par with what I've had in Los Angeles and Japan, but it was good with nothing else to compare to in the area. The menu had enough options, the prices were comparable, we enjoyed the food, and the service was adequate. And, whenever possible I liked to support small family-owned and/or local businesses. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $53.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS