If you’re craving a bowl of ramen, look no further than Ramen Station on Park Street. The restaurant is a warm, welcoming stop for anyone who’s looking for some delicious, authentic Japanese cuisine, all for a reasonable price.
After a 30-minute drive, some of the Norse Star staff arrived at the restaurant. The interior of Ramen Station was warmly-lit, providing a comfortable atmosphere for dining, as well as being much bigger on the inside than originally expected. A quiet Wednesday night at the restaurant meant the atmosphere was calm and relaxing, a much-needed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the middle of the week.
The staff sat at a table in the back of the restaurant, but the location of our table didn’t deter the service at all. The waitstaff was very attentive throughout the night. Each place at the table was set with a pair of chopsticks that we used (while a few of us struggled) as well as some silverware if we grew weary of manhandling the chopsticks.
The menu offered a wide selection of entrees, from ramen to dumplings to teriyaki. The staff ordered chicken fried rice for the table, which was served in a large slanted bowl alongside five plates. Spooning the rice onto our plates proved to be a little tricky, but the rice was so good that the clean-up was easily worth it.
Two staff members got the Shio Ramen, which consisted of ramen in a clear chicken broth, served with pork and a soft-boiled egg. One staffer got the Miso Ramen, which was similar to the Shio Ramen, but the broth was miso-based. Two other staff members both ordered the Shoyu Ramen, which included a soy-based chicken broth. Each of our orders was topped off with seaweed, scallions, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, and fish cake – a large part of the appeal was that the bowls weren’t just noodles and broth, but had extra garnishes that gave the food more flavor and texture.
After the main course, the staff decided to order green tea and vanilla mochi for the table as dessert. Each order came with two mochi, and all four servings were garnished with whipped cream and a delicate drizzle of chocolate sauce. The mochi were also cleanly divided into four pieces each, which made sharing among the table easy.
The only noticeable drawback to the menu was the lack of vegetarian options. The only vegetarian ramen offered was not even a true ramen, but described on the menu to be a bowl of noodles served in a soup made of wheat and soy, and although it sounds delicious, it was a bit disappointing to see the lack of options for those with dietary restrictions.
However, the food that was ordered was rich and flavorful, and each bowl was only around $10, which was worth it considering the large servings and quality of the meal.
When people think of ramen, typically they think of a cheap, easily-accessible meal that’s loved by everyone, from picky eaters to broke college students. Ramen Station proves that, as delicious as instant ramen may be, you can’t beat a well-crafted bowl of that traditional comfort food. Ramen Station’s affordable prices and comforting atmosphere only add to the appeal. If you’re willing to spare the extra $10 for an experience – and meal – that’s much more worth your while, the Norse Star staff suggests taking a trip to this restaurant and foregoing the same old package of instant ramen.
Overall, the Norse Star’s trip to Ramen Station was a success. Thanks to the large portions of flavorful food, the attentive staff, and the tranquil environment, the Norse Star staff rates Ramen Station a four and half bowls of ramen out of five.