So you're hungry—and you're ready for a hearty bowl of ramen or a fresh spot of fish. Good news: we've found the newest Japanese eateriesj to satisfy your appetite. Here are three of the most recent arrivals to check out the next time you're in the mood for Japanese cuisine.
Tenka Ramen
1404 W. Lake St., Lowry Hill East
Tenka Ramen is a Japanese eatery specializing in ramen. Located at 1404 W. Lake St. in Lowry Hill East, it offers buns and other sides as well as noodles.
On the menu, expect to find a variety of ramen bowls, like the torishio with fried chicken, bean sprouts and scallions in shio broth; the spicy miso, with ground pork, corn and scallions in spicy miso broth; or the kaisen, with mixed seafood like shrimp, fish cakes and surimi (imitation crab).
Side dishes include Japanese classics like takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings) and fried tofu, as well as steamed buns filled with pork belly.
Tenka Ramen's current Yelp rating of 4.5 stars out of seven reviews indicates positive attention from users.
"Fast and delicious ramen in uptown! The menu is simple but yet has a lot of options," wrote Yelper John L., who reviewed Tenka Ramen on June 2. "The tonkotsu is fantastic. Not too salty but still has lots of flavor. The service was super friendly."
And Yelper Sevann H. said, "Spicy miso [ramen] with ground pork, bean paste, corn, scallions was the winner of the meal. Spicy enough to make you blink a few more times, but not enough to make your heart skip a beat. That's perfection in my book."
Tenka Ramen is open from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
Fish Bowl Poké
5 W. 34th St., Lyndale
Fish Bowl Poké is a Hawaiian-Japanese spot, offering poke and more. Located next door to its acclaimed sister restaurant Ramen Kazama at 5 W. 34th St., it is also headed by chef Matthew Kazama, City Pages reports.
Bowls are completely customizable, from base to toppings to sauce, but diners can also choose just the base and protein, then have the restaurant apply one of its house styles for toppings and sauce. The Rock-N-Roll, for instance, comes with cucumber, edamame, tomato, spicy mayo sauce, and toppings of masago and fried onion.
For drinks, Fish Bowl offers bottled choices including local kombucha. As with many fast-casual poke joints, seating is minimal and the bowls are convenient for on-the-go diners. Vegan options are available, and delivery is too, through the Bite Squad service.
Fish Bowl Poké has been warmly received by patrons, with 4.5 stars out of 16 reviews on Yelp.
Yelper Yana P., who reviewed Fish Bowl Poké on May 24, wrote, "Love this poke. Fresh fish. Lots of choices to customize. Small seating area but it's worth it. Avocado and seaweed salad are extra but for me I'll pay. ... Next time I would order a medium in a large bowl so that it'll be a little easier to eat it."
Hannah P. praised the service, and noted, "The portions look kind of small, but once you're eating it, you realize it's plenty."
Fish Bowl Poké is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Monday.)
Tori 44
2203 N. 44th Ave., Victory
Tori 44 is the second ramen joint from Tori Ramen owners Jason Dorweiler and Asiya Persaud. Located at 2203 N. 44th Ave. in the Victory neighborhood, it also boasts entirely pork-free broth (using vegetables, chicken or duck as a base instead).
The restaurant's signature Salted Duck ramen bowl is served with duck, a softboiled egg, yuzu, shiso leaf, pickled radishes, burdock, seaweed and pea shoots.
In addition to ramen, diners can expect to find classics of Japanese cuisine like the yakitori skewers, as well as fusion fare like the "yucayaki," fried dough balls with pieces of yuca in place of octopus, topped with plum sauce and bonito flakes.
Tori 44's current rating of 3.5 stars out of 11 reviews on Yelp indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days.
Yelper Chloe B., who was one of the first users to visit Tori 44 on May 24, wrote, "We really enjoyed the Bali Bali Tantamen Ramen and Dan Dan dishes and can't wait to return to try out the rest of the menu and dessert!"
"The food was fantastic! The broth flavors are so well developed. The noodles were a nice consistency," Yelper Derek H. wrote, but echoed several other Yelpers' concerns about the service: "The counter service concept is weird. When you walk in, you are advised to wait to be seated. Then told, that it is counter service and order at the counter when you are ready."
Tori 44 is open from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday and Tuesday.)
