There seems to always be a line outside Santouka when I walk by which has prevented me from checking it out up until this point...I don't love waiting. But with a friend in town who loves ramen, I decided that going for lunch would be a good time to go.

WAIT TIME: We get there around 11:15 on a Friday (soon after it opens) and there are only two people waiting in front of us outside. We look inside and realize why there is always a line. The place is tiny and really only seats 18 people (6 at the counter and then 12 at tables). We wait maybe 15-20 minutes and are seated. By the time we left, the line grew to 10-15 people so just be aware that there will probably be a wait here. Don't come if you're in a rush.

Something I noticed while we were waiting and sitting was that a significant number of people (maybe 50%) were eating alone. Ramen is one of those foods where it's common to go and eat it alone. I have never been one to go out to eat alone, and I never will be (I will just cook) but it's still an interesting phenomenon I noted at this place specifically.

SERVICE: Very friendly and attentive. Nothing negative to say. They take your order quickly, bring you your food quickly, and bring you your check quickly. It's not a big place so it's not too complex to manage.

FOOD: Beyond all this, the reason people come here is the food. The RAMEN. I have had a fair amount of ramen/pho but I am no expert on it. It is one of the few foods I won't attempt to make at home given the time and experience required to make a really good broth.

I ordered a combo (you gotta' get the combo) with a large Kara Miso Ramen (spicy miso ramen) and a side of the pork cheeks and a soft boiled egg. Large vs. a medium is only $1 more and totally worth it if you have a big appetite. It came full of noodles with a spicy (but not too spicy) broth. A few pieces of pork belly (never enough though, in ramen) as well as some mushrooms and green onions. I ate the whole thing and was perfectly full. The side of pork cheeks was amazing too...so tender and juicy. All this for $16 is a steal!

Though I may not actively seek out to come back due to the wait time, if I know it's a slow time, I will definitely be back to Santouka Ramen.

TIP: This is a good place to eat out alone because so many others are eating alone (if that's something you care about). Just be warned that you may be sharing a table with other groups or solo diners.