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I've heard so much about Shinmai Shokudo, and finally got the chance to visit! While this spot does classics well, there were some letdowns; however, we had a good experience overall: - Spicy Tan Tan Ramen (Rich pork broth, spicy ground pork, bean sprout, wood ear mushroom, chives, cilantro, green onion, 1/2 seasoned soft-boiled egg, thin straight noodles): Definitely my favorite dish! The broth had great depth, the spice provided a nice kick, loved all the different toppings but I do think there could have been more pork. - Tonkatsu Ramen (Signature rich pork broth, pork belly, bamboo shoot, wood ear mushroom, green onion, 1/2 seasoned soft-boiled egg, thin straight noodles): Same great broth as the tan tan, chashu was perfectly fatty and tender, liked all the toppings again. The noodles themselves didn't really stand out to me. - Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box (Dashimaki, shrimp shumai, salad, pickles, rice, miso soup): Ehh... this was fine, but I'd definitely skip it next time. For the price, the quantity and quality of everything but maybe the chicken (which was smoky but way too sweet) was lackluster. - Chicken Curry Don (Panko breaded chicken cutlet, Japanese-style curry sauce, potato, carrot, onion, nori): The chicken was crispy, but quantity was so small. Curry was tasty, but inadequately warmed. - Raindrop (Plant-based ice jelly, brown sugar syrup, soybean powder): Such a unique dessert- ofc the visual is great, but the texture was interesting and it was subtly sweet too. Ambiance is nice, but the space is pretty small. Service was fast and friendly. There's plentiful parking. 7.5/10 would recommend!
We decided to try a bunch of stuff and ended up, loving every single thing. The service was great. They took time to explain the dishes to us. It was very quiet inside. We enjoyed everything about the place.
Quaint Ramen Place. Came here twice. Once I came for tonkatsu ramen and recently for tan tan with my family. Venue: Small Food: ordered spicyTantan ramen (spicy sesame and pork broth), tonkatsu ramen (pork broth) also ordered salmon and tonkatsu (fried battered pork). The ramen was good. I can't say it was the best I've ever had, but fair. I like the tan tan better than tonkatsu- family who tasted the broth all agreed on this. Was pretty disappointed in tonkatsu. Very thin dry, and small portion with basic sauce. Tonkatsu portion was smallest I've ever seen. Taste very mediocre. Service: twice here. Service is generally slow. Polite staffs but slow. It is a very basic ramen place here. Some will love it and some will want something more special. It's up to you to try!
We all loved the pork jowl and kurobata pork sausage skewers. The server was attentive. The rib eye steak was more like a crying tiger and felt more like skirt steak than ribeye. It was chewy and thin. The seasoning was nice and spicy but not what we expected. The fish cake udon is nice too, again, a simple dish. Squid not bad but not amazing. The portion is generous but we probably wouldn't order it again. Very delicious. The tonkatsu is very clean and not that flavorful which is good if you want something simple. I ended up requesting some chili paste for an extra dollar which was totally worth it. The matcha affogato was nice but the vanilla ice cream was icy (perhaps from the tea freezing after making contact with the ice cream? It seemed like it might have been due to it melting and refreezing). Love the raindrop dessert which was beautiful to look at and fun to eat. All in all we loved this restaurant. There were some hits and some misses and the decor and presentation was absolutely beautiful especially when they brought out the initial drinks on a cute serving tray. I also recommend the yuzu sparkler (non alcoholic) which was delicious.
Walked in and immediately were greeted by the nicest people. They even brought out a kid's dining set for my son! We ordered a chicken teriyaki bento box and beef don and both were really good. The restaurant was very clean. Can't wait to go back again and try more on the menu!
After a day of flying I needed some delicious comfort food in a relaxed and unhurried environment. Wow is that what I got. Located in a newer looking strip mall with plenty of parking. Nice outdoor seating area for when the weather cooperates. Greeted at the door by at least three women and seated at a nice quiet two top. Service was so good. Sweet lady saw it was my first time and explained the menu and gave me guidance. I chose the cherry tea as it was not caffeinated and would be very relaxing and it was awesome. A bit of a sweet finish but delicious and warmed and soothed the soul after a day of dealing with airports and travelers. The udon was very good also. Very creamy and relaxing. The warm saucy noodles gave me the warm comfort feeling I was seeking. The flow of traffic in and out was amazing. This is a busy place and on peak evenings this could pose a challenge so plan ahead.
Craving something hot and spicy - and since my friend didn't argue, Shinmai is where we ended up for dinner while in Cary. Got there late - late enough that we did close the place down. Still busy - only two empty tables. Not that big of a dining space but to have a full house that late, was a good sign. At least it was to me. But - let's start again but with parking. It's located in what I would consider a standalone building of a strip mall. But I didn't see the strip - just the building. There were other shops - all closed except the sandwich shop - meaning, lots of parking. Free. Whenever traveling with a rental car - I'm always surprised to find free parking. Living in LA (Los Angeles) - trained me to expect to. Service was good. Other than one mishap - where I was given someone else's order, the staff was attentive and friendly. Like I mentioned already - it was almost a full house but it was near closing time so tables started to empty meaning the two FOH team were able to focus on the remaining guests. The food for me, was not hot and spicy. Or, I should clarify, it was decent enough, just didn't hit the spot for me. Temperature of the broth was hot enough - but not piping. It was the spiciness that was a let down for me. I needed to remind myself where I was and the spice level was probably toned down for the demographics. I might also have been given some chili powder or sauce had I asked, which I didn't. Good enough that I did finish the bowl but not so great that it's etched in my memory vault. Again, I'd like to reiterate, it wasn't bad - I liked my meal (Tan Tan) however, I didn't love it. The noodles were al dente and the broth had flavor, not watered down. And the tea was excellent - had several refills (of the pot). So, good enough to finish everything and that I'd go back. But not before I try other places in the area.
The waitresses here were the sweetest ever and everyone working was super friendly. I was dining with 5 others and although the entrees came out pretty fast, they were all brought to the table at different times which was kind of awkward (there was at least a 10 min difference between when the first and last entrees were brought out). I ordered the unagi don and it was very yummy and had a good portion of eel, but there was less than a cup of rice underneath so overall, the portion size was kind of small, especially considering the price. For almost $20 I expected a little bit more, but oh well. The ramen bowls seemed bigger so if you want better value and a bigger portion, maybe don't order the don.
Solid spot with a cozy vibe and really good food all around. The ramen hit the spot with a flavorful broth, and slightly chewy noodles and the donburi was also tasty with well-balanced seasoning. Portion sizes felt just right: filling without being overwhelming. For dessert, I tried the dewdrop cake, which was very light and refreshing, a nice way to end the meal without feeling too heavy. Staff were super nice and attentive throughout, which made the whole experience even better. The original location is in Oakland CA, and this spot carries over the same quality and care. Overall, a place I'd come back to (great for comfort food and a relaxed meal)
I ordered the temporar and the okonomiyaki. The tempora was quite good. Was very different than anything I've seen before. When I lived in Japan. It had a tiny amount of cabbage and was not very substantial. I'm not sure I would come here again if the meal was on the pricing side
What a quaint place with bursting flavors! I wouldn't categorize the food here as authentic, because there are a lot of fusion dishes. Their flavor profile is strong and delicious! I had the wasabi fries and agedashi tofu as starters and shareables. The tofu were so good, but I say the portion is quite small for the price. It really is a portion to simply taste the tofu if you're sharing it with another person. I had the carbonara udon with kimchi bacon and I enjoyed every bite. It tastes exactly as the description - udon, carbonara, creamy with kimchi and bacon. The service was wonderful even when they were busy on a weekend lunch time.
Dining at shinmai_shokudo had me feeling like I was back in Japan! Very cute, minimal interior with a few tables both indoors and outdoors. There may be a wait depending on what time of day you come because it's pretty small. Our waters were slow to come out but otherwise service was great! Really enjoyed everything we ordered. Can't wait to come back and explore their menu further! What we ordered: Ochazuke w/ salmon belly, katsu curry, udon carbonara, corn korroke, and takoyaki
We went in on a Tuesday evening and yet, the restaurant was full, only one table for two was available but we were party of 4 The lovely server (I asked for her name but now I forgot) was very nice and smart, she politely brought the bills to 2 tables and within 15 minutes we were seated, orders were taken after 3 minutes and food came out in ten! Very efficient! The restaurant is small, with cute decoration. It was full but not noisy, everyone seemed to be happy with the food so ambiance was cool. We ordered 2 Gyozas (each came with 5 pcs), 3 bowls of ramen and 1 chicken katsu set, all were very good. Also this location served beer. We also had the ice cream on the house because we were celebrating 2 birthdays. This place will be our go to when we crave for Japanese food, and will try other dishes.
1 month ago
9 days ago
I had a date here a few weeks ago and the food was no what you would expect but it was FANTASTIC! I say it is a mix between Italian and Asian food. We got the chicken curry flatbread and the sokiyaki linguine. The curry pizza was very good, and I'm not a huge curry fan. The sokiyaki linguine was actually tremendous. I would eat this every day if I could. And the egg on top was a game changer. This place is very unique, but it is definitely worth it! read more
Really loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. Kind of transported me back to ramen shops in Japan. Quick service, excellent food and the staff greet you in Japanese! We ordered ramen and cold soba noodles with tempura. The soba and tempura were excellent, really hit the spot on a hot day. The tonkatsu ramen broth was different than I'm used to, but it grew on me and ended up eating it all. The chashu in the ramen was incredible, too! The ajitama egg was perfectly cooked but couldn't taste a strong marinated flavor, but that might be their intention. We ordered grilled squid as well and it stole the show. It was DELICIOUS with an incredible flavor. This place was fast, easy and delicious! I will definitely be going back read more
I've heard so much about Shinmai Shokudo, and finally got the chance to visit! While this spot does classics well, there were some letdowns; however, we had a good experience overall: - Spicy Tan Tan Ramen (Rich pork broth, spicy ground pork, bean sprout, wood ear mushroom, chives, cilantro, green onion, 1/2 seasoned soft-boiled egg, thin straight noodles): Definitely my favorite dish! The broth had great depth, the spice provided a nice kick, loved all the different toppings but I do think there could have been more pork. - Tonkatsu Ramen (Signature rich pork broth, pork belly, bamboo shoot, wood ear mushroom, green onion, 1/2 seasoned soft-boiled egg, thin straight noodles): Same great broth as the tan tan, chashu was perfectly fatty and tender, liked all the toppings again. The noodles themselves didn't really stand out to me. - Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box (Dashimaki, shrimp shumai, salad, pickles, rice, miso soup): Ehh... this was fine, but I'd definitely skip it next time. For the price, the quantity and quality of everything but maybe the chicken (which was smoky but way too sweet) was lackluster. - Chicken Curry Don (Panko breaded chicken cutlet, Japanese-style curry sauce, potato, carrot, onion, nori): The chicken was crispy, but quantity was so small. Curry was tasty, but inadequately warmed. - Raindrop (Plant-based ice jelly, brown sugar syrup, soybean powder): Such a unique dessert- ofc the visual is great, but the texture was interesting and it was subtly sweet too. Ambiance is nice, but the space is pretty small. Service was fast and friendly. There's plentiful parking. 7.5/10 would recommend! read more
3 days ago
We decided to try a bunch of stuff and ended up, loving every single thing. The service was great. They took time to explain the dishes to us. It was very quiet inside. We enjoyed everything about the place. read more
Quaint Ramen Place. Came here twice. Once I came for tonkatsu ramen and recently for tan tan with my family. Venue: Small Food: ordered spicyTantan ramen (spicy sesame and pork broth), tonkatsu ramen (pork broth) also ordered salmon and tonkatsu (fried battered pork). The ramen was good. I can't say it was the best I've ever had, but fair. I like the tan tan better than tonkatsu- family who tasted the broth all agreed on this. Was pretty disappointed in tonkatsu. Very thin dry, and small portion with basic sauce. Tonkatsu portion was smallest I've ever seen. Taste very mediocre. Service: twice here. Service is generally slow. Polite staffs but slow. It is a very basic ramen place here. Some will love it and some will want something more special. It's up to you to try! read more
We all loved the pork jowl and kurobata pork sausage skewers. The server was attentive. The rib eye steak was more like a crying tiger and felt more like skirt steak than ribeye. It was chewy and thin. The seasoning was nice and spicy but not what we expected. The fish cake udon is nice too, again, a simple dish. Squid not bad but not amazing. The portion is generous but we probably wouldn't order it again. Very delicious. The tonkatsu is very clean and not that flavorful which is good if you want something simple. I ended up requesting some chili paste for an extra dollar which was totally worth it. The matcha affogato was nice but the vanilla ice cream was icy (perhaps from the tea freezing after making contact with the ice cream? It seemed like it might have been due to it melting and refreezing). Love the raindrop dessert which was beautiful to look at and fun to eat. All in all we loved this restaurant. There were some hits and some misses and the decor and presentation was absolutely beautiful especially when they brought out the initial drinks on a cute serving tray. I also recommend the yuzu sparkler (non alcoholic) which was delicious. read more
Walked in and immediately were greeted by the nicest people. They even brought out a kid's dining set for my son! We ordered a chicken teriyaki bento box and beef don and both were really good. The restaurant was very clean. Can't wait to go back again and try more on the menu! read more
8 months ago
After a day of flying I needed some delicious comfort food in a relaxed and unhurried environment. Wow is that what I got. Located in a newer looking strip mall with plenty of parking. Nice outdoor seating area for when the weather cooperates. Greeted at the door by at least three women and seated at a nice quiet two top. Service was so good. Sweet lady saw it was my first time and explained the menu and gave me guidance. I chose the cherry tea as it was not caffeinated and would be very relaxing and it was awesome. A bit of a sweet finish but delicious and warmed and soothed the soul after a day of dealing with airports and travelers. The udon was very good also. Very creamy and relaxing. The warm saucy noodles gave me the warm comfort feeling I was seeking. The flow of traffic in and out was amazing. This is a busy place and on peak evenings this could pose a challenge so plan ahead. read more
Craving something hot and spicy - and since my friend didn't argue, Shinmai is where we ended up for dinner while in Cary. Got there late - late enough that we did close the place down. Still busy - only two empty tables. Not that big of a dining space but to have a full house that late, was a good sign. At least it was to me. But - let's start again but with parking. It's located in what I would consider a standalone building of a strip mall. But I didn't see the strip - just the building. There were other shops - all closed except the sandwich shop - meaning, lots of parking. Free. Whenever traveling with a rental car - I'm always surprised to find free parking. Living in LA (Los Angeles) - trained me to expect to. Service was good. Other than one mishap - where I was given someone else's order, the staff was attentive and friendly. Like I mentioned already - it was almost a full house but it was near closing time so tables started to empty meaning the two FOH team were able to focus on the remaining guests. The food for me, was not hot and spicy. Or, I should clarify, it was decent enough, just didn't hit the spot for me. Temperature of the broth was hot enough - but not piping. It was the spiciness that was a let down for me. I needed to remind myself where I was and the spice level was probably toned down for the demographics. I might also have been given some chili powder or sauce had I asked, which I didn't. Good enough that I did finish the bowl but not so great that it's etched in my memory vault. Again, I'd like to reiterate, it wasn't bad - I liked my meal (Tan Tan) however, I didn't love it. The noodles were al dente and the broth had flavor, not watered down. And the tea was excellent - had several refills (of the pot). So, good enough to finish everything and that I'd go back. But not before I try other places in the area. read more
10 months ago
The waitresses here were the sweetest ever and everyone working was super friendly. I was dining with 5 others and although the entrees came out pretty fast, they were all brought to the table at different times which was kind of awkward (there was at least a 10 min difference between when the first and last entrees were brought out). I ordered the unagi don and it was very yummy and had a good portion of eel, but there was less than a cup of rice underneath so overall, the portion size was kind of small, especially considering the price. For almost $20 I expected a little bit more, but oh well. The ramen bowls seemed bigger so if you want better value and a bigger portion, maybe don't order the don. read more
1 year ago
Solid spot with a cozy vibe and really good food all around. The ramen hit the spot with a flavorful broth, and slightly chewy noodles and the donburi was also tasty with well-balanced seasoning. Portion sizes felt just right: filling without being overwhelming. For dessert, I tried the dewdrop cake, which was very light and refreshing, a nice way to end the meal without feeling too heavy. Staff were super nice and attentive throughout, which made the whole experience even better. The original location is in Oakland CA, and this spot carries over the same quality and care. Overall, a place I'd come back to (great for comfort food and a relaxed meal) read more
4 months ago
I ordered the temporar and the okonomiyaki. The tempora was quite good. Was very different than anything I've seen before. When I lived in Japan. It had a tiny amount of cabbage and was not very substantial. I'm not sure I would come here again if the meal was on the pricing side read more
What a quaint place with bursting flavors! I wouldn't categorize the food here as authentic, because there are a lot of fusion dishes. Their flavor profile is strong and delicious! I had the wasabi fries and agedashi tofu as starters and shareables. The tofu were so good, but I say the portion is quite small for the price. It really is a portion to simply taste the tofu if you're sharing it with another person. I had the carbonara udon with kimchi bacon and I enjoyed every bite. It tastes exactly as the description - udon, carbonara, creamy with kimchi and bacon. The service was wonderful even when they were busy on a weekend lunch time. read more
Dining at shinmai_shokudo had me feeling like I was back in Japan! Very cute, minimal interior with a few tables both indoors and outdoors. There may be a wait depending on what time of day you come because it's pretty small. Our waters were slow to come out but otherwise service was great! Really enjoyed everything we ordered. Can't wait to come back and explore their menu further! What we ordered: Ochazuke w/ salmon belly, katsu curry, udon carbonara, corn korroke, and takoyaki read more
11 months ago
We went in on a Tuesday evening and yet, the restaurant was full, only one table for two was available but we were party of 4 The lovely server (I asked for her name but now I forgot) was very nice and smart, she politely brought the bills to 2 tables and within 15 minutes we were seated, orders were taken after 3 minutes and food came out in ten! Very efficient! The restaurant is small, with cute decoration. It was full but not noisy, everyone seemed to be happy with the food so ambiance was cool. We ordered 2 Gyozas (each came with 5 pcs), 3 bowls of ramen and 1 chicken katsu set, all were very good. Also this location served beer. We also had the ice cream on the house because we were celebrating 2 birthdays. This place will be our go to when we crave for Japanese food, and will try other dishes. read more
1 year ago
I came here on a Tuesday with friends and really enjoyed my experience! The restaurant was small but we were seated pretty comfortably for a group of 5 and the service was very good as well! My friend and I both got the Kabosu refresher and it tasted lovely! I try mocktails often and so many places overdo it on the sweetness level. This mocktail was just the right level of sweetness. For appetizer we shared the takoyaki (ask for the spicy roulette where they hide hot sauce in one of them - that was fun), Wasabi fries, and gobo chips. I got the oyakodon and the raindrop for dessert while my husband got the carbonara udon. We enjoyed everything and would be down to visit again! read more
Wow. Truly delicious. This is a super quaint, elegantly decorated restaurant that provides phenomenal service and exceptionally delicious food. You can tell that special attention was given to all of the details in this spot- from the tableware to the menu and not to mention the presentation of food! Miso cod was easily my favorite app with the pork jowls following that. We each also ordered a rice bowl but we were so excited to eat that I forgot to take pictures. We will be back to explore more of their menu! read more
4 months ago
The place is in a nice small plaza. Very friendly environment. The service was excellent. The server was extremely nice and helpful. The came out very fast and that was perfect because we were starving! The food was delicious! The ramen broth had a bit of a smokey flavor to it along with the pork as well. The flavor in the broth was a little softer than other ramen I've had. The bamboo shoot was some in the best I've had. Soft enough but still with a crunch and an amazing flavor. Most of the topping inherited that broth flavor. The bento box had a variety of different things. They all blended well, the chicken had some smoky flavor. Overall a great choice if your looking to eat Japanese food. read more
1 year ago
If I could give this place 10 stars, I absolutely would. Shinmai Shokudo is my favorite restaurant for ramen, hands down. The Tonkotsu Ramen ($17) is perfection -- a signature rich pork broth with pork belly, bamboo shoot, wood ear mushroom, green onion, and a perfectly seasoned half soft-boiled egg. The broth is beyond... it is so flavorful, comforting, and unbelievably delicious. Every bite reminds me why I keep coming back. My other favorite that I have to order every single time is the Daikon Salad -- crisp, refreshing, and full of flavor. It balances the richness of the ramen beautifully. And to complete it all, I always get the Rose Cherry Tea -- light, fragrant, and absolutely soothing. The food comes out fast, consistently well prepared, and beautifully presented. You can tell the kitchen takes great pride in what they serve. The only thing I wish they had is more seating because this place is that popular. During rush hour, expect a wait -- but it is worth every single minute. I keep telling myself I should venture out and try other soups here, but the Tonkotsu is so tasty that I just cannot shy away from it. I know I am probably missing out on some incredible dishes, but it is hard to turn away from my favorites. Shinmai Shokudo truly delivers every time -- consistent, delicious, and easily one of the best dining spots in Cary. read more
Talk about a coincidence! Shinmai was a restaurant I frequented when I lived in Oakland. When it came up in my Yelp feed, I was sure it wasn't the same but decided to give it a try. Same restaurant! The dishes were delicious. The soft shell crab sat on a bed of Yukon sauce and thinly sliced radishes that was a great compliment to the crab. Sadly, the crab seemed pre-fried and a bit greasy. But still yummy. Black garlic ramen is my go to. They're comes with garlic oil and spicy sauce on the side ( $2 extra). The broth was richly flavored with chewy noodles. wish the pork slices were a bit thicker. Absolutely the best ramen I've had in Raleigh area. Come on down! read more
7 months ago
The service was amazing. We loved all the appetizers, which were corn and potato croquettes, pork sausage, and the shrimp shumai. Everything was freshly made. The peach tea was so refreshing and light. Entrees include the OCHAZUKE and seafood shoyu. My friend loved his ochazuke with salmon belly. The seafood shoyu was a bit salty for my taste. It consisted of menma, squid, fish cake, mussels and shrimp. I would've liked some vegetables for a balanced meal. Tables are quite close so I feel like we were sitting with others. When the restaurant is busy, it can get a bit loud. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
After reading other great reviews about this place I made a trip out to come try the food, not sure if I just got an off day or maybe the staff is still working through some changes but I felt like my experience was subpar compared to the other reviews. We ordered a variety of menu items: ramen, bento, side dishes, and even a dessert. The ramen I felt like was missing something? I can't quite explain it, other than lackluster. I can confidently say the ramen here does not compete well at this price point. Same for the other menu items, none were particularly bad but just didn't compare well to other places that offer more food or better quality at a more competitive price point. The service here was great and the food came out relatively quickly. The plates were nice and clean and I feel like the ambiance of the place is great. I just think some work needs to be done on the back end to get this place competitive with other Japanese restaurants. read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
Great menu, attentive and friendly server. We had a great date night here tonight. Started with the cucumbers and spicy beef dumplings. Soups for main with some drinks. Fresh cocktails/mocktail. Enjoyed dinner start to finish. read more
1 year ago
They're pretty hidden and my coworker recommended this place. It's a small restaurant and their sitting quite close with each other. Came here twice cause it's that good. I love their Bao Bun with beef, with sliced thin beef Yoshinoya style but sweeter. Their ramen broth so comforting and they cut their Chasiu pretty thick. The server is amazing, they won't leave you thirsty and always check on you! Definitely will come back and try their other things on the menu! read more
1 year ago
my sister speaks highly of this place & they were celebrating their one year anniversary this past week! we brought our relatives who were visiting us & couldn't have had a more positive experience! it was super busy & we had a party of seven, we were accommodated quickly & politely. the workers were so nice & friendly, the atmosphere was so similar to that of a restaurant in japan! we took some time to look at he limited menu as well as the normal menu, decided our dishes & appetizers. the food came so quickly, like 10 minutes within ordering & everything was so umami & tender! i loved the ramen i had, it was quite the experience! the karaage & wasabi fries were so unique & satisfying! everyone had a great time, we kept ordering their mango drink because it was so tasty! as for dessert, we had to try both & the worker was so polite & enthusiastic with us trying their desserts! it was definitely worth, i love matcha & the vanilla ice cream with affogato was so creamy! i definitely am coming back to try more of their food items & hopefully get one of their shirts because i LOVE capybaras read more
2 years ago
First real ramen spot in Winston Salem? Oh I'm there!! I honestly did not have high expectations going in but the Black Garlic ramen broth was so rich it was TO DIE FOR! I highly recommend. The only bad remark is that the egg itself was not poached as it normally is for ramen. It was hard boiled. I would stick to just the ramen, the fried oyster appetizer was ok. Service was kind and quick! Definitely will be back for winter! read more
2 years ago
I had to travel from WF on a Tuesday morning to try Shinmai. I was their first customer shortly after opening at 11:15am and was greeted warmly and told I could choose my seat. The restaurant isn't very big, but it's quite airy with tall ceilings and tasteful decor. After perusing their varied menu I decided to order the agedashi tofu and tempura appetizer and the spicy tan tan as my entree. I appreciated that my server brought my dishes out as they were prepared. You can tell from my photos that my dishes were delicately prepared and plated so nicely. My daughter and I went to Japan last summer and this is the first restaurant in the Triangle that even remotely compares to the food we ate there. Thanks for bringing your delicious food from CA to NC! I can't wait to bring the rest of my family this weekend to try more of their dishes. read more
We were excited to come back & try other new dishes here. Our dining experience the second time was just okay. The Ikayaki(grilled squid) was chewy to hard so we knew it was overcooked. Udon Carbonara was flavorful but it would have been better if it had more big slices of salmon. Service was not too personable. Servers were like robots- they get your order-serve your food & give your check. No hello- no checking up on you during your meals if everything is good. We also noticed the added convenience fee on our check. We eat out a lot that we've never seen that in other restaurants here in the Triangle. No worries as we still managed to give them a good tip despite of just an okay experience. read more
1 year ago
This review is based on take out orders only! Service was friendly and fast. The restaurant is small, clean and cozy. Food was really good! I'll go back again. read more
Hands down the best Izakaya I have been to! Service was so fast and we had endless skewers that came fresh from the grill. The flavor of the fish was so fresh and tasty seasoned to perfection. Will definitely be coming back! read more
10 months ago
Cozy atmosphere, super friendly and quick service, DELICIOUS food. I loved the Dashi Tofu and jelly dessert :-) read more
10 months ago
BLUF: Lovely spot with delicious noodle dishes and friendly, attentive staff. Rarely do I point out applause to the wait staff. As busy as they are, they made sure our two infants (14M and 7M) had high chairs, their own plastic plates and utensils, and sippy cups for water. It was very thoughtful to have made sure the two babies had a good experience as well. The kitsune soba came out piping hot! Perfect! The soup base was good. I'm sure the inari was frozen and the soba came out of a package, but the whole of the dish was enjoyable. We had all three noodle types represented on our table: soba, ramen, and udon. All three with a distinctive spin and all three worth getting again. read more
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