Ramen Shifu Braga — Restaurant in Braga

We visited Ramen Shifu Braga on Sunday, March 30, just two days after its opening, and overall, it was a great experience.

From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed into a pleasant space with an immersive manga-themed décor. The atmosphere is well-executed and offers a fun escape into Japanese pop culture.

A small downside was that our server didn’t speak Portuguese very well, which made communication a bit tricky. Fortunately, we also speak English, so we managed to understand each other. She was, however, very kind and did her best to provide good service.

Food experience: • The appetizers were very good, although the edamame lacked seasoning. • The Ahiruman and Boletus were a delight, especially with the grilled baos and their delicious sauce. • The bao bun chashu was the highlight for everyone, thanks to its freshness and perfect seasoning. • The main dishes were tasty and well-portioned, looking exactly like the menu pictures. • I made a small mistake while ordering and got a Kimchi Don (without spice) for my daughter. It wasn’t her favorite dish, but I tasted it and found it delicious, with a nice kimchi flavor. Adding spice would have enhanced it for an adult but wouldn’t have been suitable for a child.

A few things to improve: • No mochi, no matcha cheesecake, and only one type of dorayaki (red bean) instead of the three listed on the menu. • Four out of eleven Ramune flavors were already unavailable on Sunday, and unfortunately, those were the ones we wanted. For a restaurant that had just opened, it was a bit disappointing.

Final thoughts:

A great experience in a unique and authentic manga-themed setting. I especially loved the manga-inspired sodas tailored to each anime featured in the restaurant. A fantastic place to experience Japan without...

Ordered takoyaki, gyozas, tonkotsu ramen and inferno ramen.

Ramen:

The noodles were insanely overdone - it was impossible to eat them. And noodles are one of the main elements of any ramen. The broth in inferno ramen was good because of the spicy sauce while the broth in tonkotsu ramen was very watery and unflavoured. Usually, tonkotsu broth is very creamy, thick and has a deep flavour. That was not the case. Chashu pork looked and tasted like a simple boiled piece of pork. There was no flavour of chashu itself and the pork was not browned at all as it supposed to be after simmering and braising.

Thus, with noodles extremely overdone and tonkastu broth almost tasteless, it's hard to come back anytime soon for a new portion of ramen.

Takoyaki was good but the amount of octopus is very arguable, you can't even taste it. It's better to increase the price and put more octopus to call it takoyaki.

Gyozas are done with the Thai sauce which is not what you usually expect from gyozas.

Regarding the service, it is not pleasant to receive a plate from a waitress with long nails (it is unhygienic at least to have uncut nails in food service) that touched the plate edges where then your ramen spoon lies. The plate looked a bit messy as if the cook tried to clean everything in a rush - there were stains across the edges and even some food on the exterior side of the plate.

One more thing - before cleaning tables after guests that left, one waiter should always take orders from hungry people. We just sat waiting while two waiters were cleaning...

When it comes to ramen, a great review typically highlights the following elements:

Broth: The heart of any ramen dish. A rich, flavorful broth made from quality ingredients can elevate the entire experience. Look for descriptions of depth, umami, and how well the flavors meld together.

Noodles: The texture and freshness of the noodles are crucial. Reviews should mention whether they are chewy, firm, and how well they hold the broth.

Toppings: A variety of toppings like chashu (braised pork), soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and nori can enhance the dish. The quality and presentation of these toppings can make a significant difference. Atmosphere: The ambiance of the restaurant can also play a role. A cozy, welcoming environment can enhance the dining experience. Service: Friendly and attentive service can make the meal even more enjoyable. ‘’I recently dined at Ramen Haven, and it was an unforgettable experience. The tonkotsu broth was incredibly rich and savory, with a perfect balance of flavors that lingered long after each slurp. The noodles were fresh and perfectly al dente, soaking up the delicious broth beautifully. The chashu was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the soft-boiled egg added a delightful creaminess. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I can't wait to return for another bowl!"

Feel free to adjust the details based on your personal experience or the specific ramen spot you have in mind!...