St. Louis Japanese Ramen | Menya Rui đ
Menya Rui has long been hailed as the "ceiling" of ramen in St. Louis, known as the best Japanese ramen đ around! I tried it a few times before but always found the taste just so-soâplus the restaurant is always packed with long lines, so I stopped going for a while. Coming back after ages, I was surprised to find the flavor had improved dramatically, way better than before! First, a key note: Itâs closed on Mondays and Tuesdays âď¸ Donât make a wasted trip! The crowd is smaller on weekdays, but when we arrived for dinner, we still had to wait outside for a table. Luckily, the line moved fast, and we got seated soon. The restaurant is small, with only a handful of tables, and the lighting is dimâcreating a cozy izakaya-like vibe thatâs perfect for an immersive ramen experience. đ Appetizer: Fried Chicken PopcornâAddictively Delicious! We started with fried chicken popcorn to curb our hunger, and the aroma hit us as soon as it was served! The outer layer was golden and crispy, making a "crunch" when bitten into, while the chicken inside was juicy and tender, not the least bit dry. The accompanying mayonnaise was the finishing touchâits creamy texture cut through the slight greasiness of the fried chicken. We couldnât stop eating, and almost finished it before the ramen arrived! đ Ramen: Pork & Chicken RamenâNo More Over-Salted Grease! This time we ordered the signature Pork Ramen and Chicken Ramen, and neither disappointed. The biggest surprise? It was finally not as over-salted or greasy as before! The tonkotsu (pork bone) broth of the Pork Ramen was rich and creamy, with a deep, marrow-like umami that wasnât cloying. Sipping the broth warmed us up from the inside. The chashu (braised pork) was tender and flavorful, melting in our mouths, and the chewy Japanese ramen noodles were coated in the broth, packed with flavor. The Chicken Ramen was lighterâits chicken broth was sweet and refreshing, not bland at all, perfect for those who donât like heavy flavors. The thin slices of chicken were tender, pairing well with the mild broth. The only minor downside: The portions were a bit smallâguys might need an extra side to feel full! đ Fun Fact: Did the Owner Study in Japan? No Wonder It Tastes Better! We heard from the staff that the owner went to Japan for "further study" a few months ago and adjusted the recipe after returning. No wonder the flavor felt more authentic this timeâboth the depth of the broth and the balance of seasonings were much more refined than before. It seems that trip to Japan really paid off! đ Menya Ruiđ Address: 3453 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 #RamenCeiling #JapaneseRamen #ImmersiveJapaneseFood #StLouisLife #StLouisRestaurantHunt #StLouisFood #WashU #StLouisTravel #StLouisRestaurants #StLouisStudyAbroad