Ramen Tatsuya

How did I not know there was a top-rated ramen place less than a mile from where we live!

I went by myself, at 5:30, on the brink of a tropical storm, and found it delightfully uncrowded. There are two types of ramen places: the ones where everyone is Japanese and the ones where everyone is a total hipster. This is the second kind. Seriously it's like stepping through a Narnia portal to Brooklyn. There was a father of four, but he had a swing kids hairdo and sleeve tattoos so it was Ok. The young woman who took my order (at the counter) was very friendly. I ordered the #1, Tonkatsu, because it's a classic, and sat down at the bar (they have table seating but it's family style and I can't enjoy food near strangers). 

BAM. My ramen came out really fast and it looked awesome. Cloudy white pork broth with a thin veneer of toasted sesame oil. The noodles were just right, with the al dente, ropey texture that you want so that they don't soak up the broth and get mushy. 

Check out that egg! nice soft yolk. Clearly marinated in something as it had a delicious sweet taste. And see that soft bed of meat it's nestled on? that's the chashu (or pork as westerners would say), cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

4/5 Aemon stars. High quality food, quick service, friendly folks.  It's small inside, so I'd definitely avoid peak hours. A+ tropical storm treat.