Ramen House Aska — Restaurant in Lisbon

We eat ramen all the time. It is our favorite thing and we have been to dozens of ramen restaurants in Lisbon. We have slightly mixed feelings about Aska.

First, I will start by saying the ramen quality was VERY good. The broth was amazing. (We had the Aka ramen which is a version of creamy pork bone broth). It was truly wonderful. Their chasu pork was thin and tender. Perfect. We also had pork gyozas which were probably the best gyozas I have had in Lisbon.

However - a couple of complaints. First, no egg included with the ramen. To me, that is very very disappointing. Eggs are pretty standard and having to pay extra for it is unreasonable. Second, I believe it was an €18 bowl of ramen, which is very expensive for Lisbon (especially without the egg), and the portion was average. We both had the Aka ramen and I was still hungry when we left.

From my Lisbon ramen experience, the quality is one of the absolute best, but the price is MUCH higher than most and you get no egg + an average portion. To compare, our favorite place has a larger portion, with egg, for €11, and the quality is only very slightly lower.

We probably won’t return because the price point is too high. If that bowl of ramen contained the standard 2 halves of the jammy egg, and was perhaps €14, we would pay the extra few euros, but an extra €7 (plus more if you pay to add in the egg) is too large of a price difference.

But again,...

Enjoyed my meal here! Had the highest rating when I googled and I’m happy with the recommendation.

Food was good with good servings. We had added toppings but was worth it. The chasu tasted more like ham slice but it’s tasty. I had the chicken broth and it could do with more seasoning but my partner’s tonkatsu broth was excellent. I had the gyoza as well. Ok but not spectacular. I mean it’s just pan fried dumpling and did the job to fill the belly:) at least u know it’s homemade style and doesn’t taste like mass produced supermart.

Every bowl is cooked by one chef, presumably the Japanese lady boss who was very friendly and chill. Her staff who is customer facing was also polite and prompt in service.

The setting is very tight and small. There are 3 tables, each prob only sitting 3pax per table max. The other 2 round tables might squeeze up to 4 if customers are slim, very slim or with small kids.

A variety of Japanese beer but more limited in juices but it’s understandable given the tight space. It’s enough offering in my view. Waiting Q gets some stools to wait outside. Thoughtful.

We arrived at opening hour and the Q formed by 7pm.

Would recommend if u r...

I hate to write negative reviews but honestly this is Lisbon not Paris' Rue St. Anne where you can find the best ramen and udon ever. I mean 17 Euros for a simple ramen is just totally over the top for the slightly sad soup portion that you get. If you put a couple add-ons you are at about over 20 Euros plus a person. The veggie gyoza were simply awful and also overpriced - honestly been there, done that, won't be back. I am not sure how they came up with the pricing - but the food simply isn't worth it. I don't really want to big up Panda Cantina because it's chain - but it's literally way better and cheaper. Lisbon is slowly but surely turning into an expensive joke of a dining out experience. Surely the wait staff makes no more than about 6 Euros an hour - meaning that for them to buy one soup with couple toppings means they have to work for about three hours. Just food for thought. I am a ramen lover at heart and I can honestly say there is hardly any good ramen to be found in Lisbon. The service was the nice part but they were totally hovering - which personally totally bugs me. If you want a quick soup go to Panda Cantina. At least the price-value...