I will preface this review that this restaurant just opened to the public, and still has a few bits and pieces to sort out, but that's the reason I'm giving Tokyo Retro 4 stars instead of 5. I fully expect to come back in a few months time when this place is running like a well-oiled machine to be a 5-star restaurant.
I live just around the corner and only moved here recently. My flatmate told me he'd been eyeing this place for a while and wanted to try it as soon as it opened, which couldn't have been more than a week ago. He went Friday night to try and get some ramen, but currently they're only doing it for lunch. He got some scrumptious crab croquettes instead and invited me for a ramen lunch the next day. No objections from me.
The decor is minimal and the seating is plentiful, though I can see this place getting busy pretty quickly. For lunch there were maybe 2 other tables seated and my flatmate said about three other tables were seated when he went for Friday dinner. The servers were very polite and armed with big smiles. I believe they're still a little new serving, as we had to wave them over and then wait a few minutes for service despite 2 servers waiting 3 seated tables.
I ordered the Negi Chasiu Ramen (ramen with a double helping of pork belly + spring onions) while my flatmate ordered the Chasiu Miso Ramen (miso ramen with double pork belly). We ordered the burned rice tea, which the servers kindly refilled with hot water once the pots ran empty (I believe there are unlimited refills). The tea paired really well with the ramen, as it was a tad on the salty side, but that's my only complaint. The soup tasted very good, the ramen was perfectly cooked, and the pork belly was SPOT ON. I could not quickly recall when the last time I had pork belly this good. The double portion (4 slices vs. 2) was just right for me, though a few people might find it a bit on the generous side. This is my go to ramen shop now, as going all the way to Bone Daddies for an equal-par ramen just doesn't make sense anymore.
The little logistical things that will be sorted out:
- I believe they're doing somewhat of a soft opening right now, so not all of the menu items may be available at all times. I believe this will be quickly sorted out.
- Waiting time (both for service and food). A few parties came, ate, paid, and left before we completed the cycle - perhaps because we were located at the corner of the restaurant by the window. This was due to slower service and waiting about 5 minutes for the check when we were finally finished and presented with the bill (I think the waitress just forgot). Also, the food took a good 10-15 min to come out, though I think it was because we ordered ramen vs. other people ordering non-soup dishes. I hope it doesn't become a logjam once things scale up, but I guess that's why they have soft openings - to get these things fixed.
- Door doesn't close well. The day was a bit chilly and windy. The waitress shut the door but it kept blowing open. She went and got a hammer and tried to sort it out, but it didn't really work. I just thought it was kind of strange seeing a waitress hammering at a door hinge while I was eating - though I'm sure they'll get that fixed too.
All in all, I think this place will find its own on Abbeville Road and the days of only 3-4 seated tables will quickly disappear. And as this place grows, I will continue to enjoy my ramen lunches and the occasional dinner there. read more