Finally Tried Here! Fresh & Not Greasy, Dipping Ramen Is a Winner 🍜

🍡 Appetizers: Cute & Shareable, Perfect for Warming Up There were 2 of us, so we ordered 3 appetizers—small portions but enough to fill us up a little, each with a nice surprise: Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) (🍡: The outer layer is golden and crispy, making a “crunch” when you bite down. Inside, the batter is soft like a cloud, wrapped around 1-2 chewy octopus pieces. Topped with bonito flakes and nori, dip it in mayo, and it’s delicious hot! Made to order, it came out steaming—4 pieces shared between 2 people was just right, no risk of filling up too much. Spicy Karaage Don (Spicy Fried Chicken Rice Bowl) ( 🍚: A small bowl of rice, but surprisingly satisfying! The chicken is fried fresh—thin, crispy coating, tender juicy meat, with a sprinkle of chili powder for a light kick. The sauce is sweet-savory, perfect with white rice. I polished it off in a few bites, forgetting it was “just an appetizer.” 🍜 Ramen: Fresh & Light (Not Heavy!), Dipping Ramen Beats Soup Ramen! AFURI’s ramen is totally different from the “greasy, salty tonkotsu ramen” we often eat—it’s all about “freshness,” with yuzu aroma throughout. No post-meal greasiness, even for someone who loves “strong flavors” like me: Yuzu-Shio (Yuzu Salt Ramen) 🌟🌟🌟🌟: The signature dish! The broth is clear pale gold (not thick white tonkotsu). First sip, you taste a faint yuzu fragrance mixed with salty umami—no overpowering saltiness. The chashu is thin slices of pork shoulder, tender enough to melt in your mouth, no greasiness. The thin noodles are cooked “al dente,” coating the broth as you slurp—yuzu aroma slowly spreads in your mouth. The only small letdown: compared to the dipping ramen later, it’s less “memorable”—great for those who love light flavors. Yuzu-Tsuyu (Yuzu Dipping Ramen) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟: The star of the meal! Highly recommended! The thick noodles are chewier than soup ramen—springy and not mushy. Dip them in the rich yuzu sauce—the sauce is the soul! It has soy sauce’s saltiness, yuzu’s slight tartness, and a touch of tonkotsu richness—no greasiness at all. The thick-cut pork belly is marbled, with slightly charred edges; bite into it, and the fat aroma mixes with the dipping sauce. One bite of noodles, one bite of pork—I couldn’t stop eating. Way more amazing than the soup ramen! Tonkotsu Tantan (Tonkotsu Dan Dan Ramen) 🌟🌟🌟🌟: Heads up! This has almost nothing to do with Sichuan dan dan noodles haha～ The broth is rich tonkotsu, with a spoonful of ground meat, a few mushrooms, and a spoonful of red chili oil. Stir it up, and the aroma hits you. The spiciness is “mild and savory”—no burning, and the tonkotsu’s richness mixes with heat, perfect for Chinese tastes. My friend even drank half the broth. Ma-La Mazemen (Spicy Dry Ramen) 🌟🌟🌟🌟: A “spicy lover’s exclusive” from the special menu! No broth—noodles coated in spicy sauce, with Sichuan peppercorn flakes. Spicy enough to satisfy but not harsh; toppings include crispy bean sprouts and ground meat for texture. Avoid if you can’t handle spice, but spice lovers will find it “super satisfying”—pair with yuzu limeade to cut the heat. 🍶 Drinks: Order Alone or in a Combo (Save Money!), Sake & Ramen = Perfect Match AFURI’s drinks can be ordered alone, or you can get a “ramen + appetizer + drink” combo (saves $5-$8). We chose the combo and tried 4 drinks, each with its own style: Tokubetsu Honjozo Sake (Special Junmai Sake) 🍶: The sake is fresh and slightly sweet, not bitter, with low alcohol content. Perfect for cutting the greasiness of ramen—especially the rich dipping sauce. One sip of sake, one bite of noodles, and the oiliness fades instantly. Must-try if you like a light drink. Yuzu Limeade 🥤: Great for non-drinkers! Fresh yuzu juice + lemon juice—sweet-tart and refreshing, no extra sugar. Perfect for cutting spice, especially with the spicy dry ramen. I had half left and took it to go as a walk-around drink. Gemaicha Milk Tea (Roasted Rice Milk Tea) 🍵: A super healthy milk tea! Made with roasted rice tea base and a little milk—light roasted rice aroma, not sweet or greasy. Comfortable to drink after a meal, less guilt than regular milk tea. Tea Bag ☕: Just regular green tea in a bag, brewed with hot water—no special flavor. Better to choose the roasted rice milk tea or yuzu limeade for better value. 📍 Surrounding Gems: After Ramen, Stop by Coffee & Donuts! #PortlandEats #PortlandJapaneseFood #AFURI #YuzuRamen #JapaneseRamen #OregonFood