Sakuratani Ramen & Izakaya — Restaurant in Bristol

These are absolutely the best Japanese noodles we've ever had in the U.S. - they are as good as the best noodles in Japan.

We love ramen and udon noodles. We have them frequently, and wherever we travel. We've had them all over the U.S., and on many trips to Japan. The noodles at Sakuratani are better than any we've had in the best places in San Francisco, Portland, or New York. They are as good as the best we've had in the finest noodle places in Japan.

We never would have imagined that such incredibly delicious noodles would be found in Bristol RI - but they are. The ramen and udon noodles are a huge step up from any others we've had in the U.S. The ramen are much finer, more delicate, and the udon 'curly' of a type we've only had in Japan - these are not the typical 79 cent packaged noodles most places use.

The broths are delicate, with complex yet light seasonings, also just like we've had in Japan. Likewise the ingredients - the mushrooms taste like they're straight from the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. The fish cake is light and delicate, with a 'swirled' pink pattern, very different from the usual OK but pasty stuff most places use. The chasu pork is lean yet super tender, with no visible fat.

We couldn't believe it the first time we had it, so we've been back several times, and it's always just as phenomenal. The noodles here transport us back to the finest noodle houses in Japan.

The appetizers are just as special. The agedashi tofu is lightly breaded, delicate, and also the best we've had in the U.S. - better than Musashi in Berkeley or Sanraku in San Francisco (both of which are terrific, and were our previous gold standards). The goyza are also Japanese quality, delicate, not at all oily or greasy.

You haven't had real ramen or udon until you've had it here (or in Japan). It doesn't get any more authentically...

One of my favorite past times was getting drunken Ramen at 2am after a night of drinking in Japan. After learning gluten was a no go for me, I didn't think I would get to enjoy the experience again...

Flash forward to Sakuratani, I was able to start the experience off right with a Scorpion bowl (admittedly not an authentic Japanese ramen experience, but a good one nonetheless [self imposed - they had a decent selection of sake, beer, and sochu]), only to be followed with a delicious bowl of a gluten free chicken ramen broth with rice noodles that was as good as I remember the original. Sure it was 20 years ago that I was in Japan, and sure I never had Ramen with fried chicken in it, and no I don’t know the quality of their actual glutenous ramen noodles, but man was this delicious for someone who doesn't eat gluten. Umaii (delicious) broth, slurpable noodles, tasty flavor options (garlic and spicy) on top of the 3 or 4 gluten free broths, and I'm already ready to go back again despite just getting home. I had the gluten free chicken ramen, which had a great chicken flavor, with underlying hints of sesame and umame.

Price was super reasonable for New England: we got 2 bowls of Ramen, a scorpion bowl, and a mochi dessert, and it was under $80 with a 20% tip, which I would find normally myself paying $120 at any other sit down place. We both were stuffed and very happy with our meals.

Service was efficient, despite not everyone being familiar with gochisousamadeshita and me getting a scolding from my spouse leaving the place buzzed from the scorpion with no response from staff.

100% will be there again. Hoping I hear irashaimase when I do. But not caring if I don't because it was...

Sakutarani is a ramen restaurant that offers a cozy and inviting ambience, perfect for a comforting meal. The decor is well thought out and creates a pleasant atmosphere. However, the lighting inside the restaurant is quite dim, even during a bright day outside. This made it a bit challenging to read the menu and fully appreciate the dining experience.

When it comes to the food, the taste was satisfactory but didn't quite live up to my expectations. The ramen broth was flavorful enough, but it lacked that extra depth and richness that I look for in an exceptional bowl of ramen. The noodles had a decent texture, but again, nothing that really stood out.

On a positive note, the service at Sakutarani was commendable. The servers were attentive and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. The owner (or someone who seemed to be in charge) also made an effort to check on us and ensure we were enjoying our experience.

All in all, Sakutarani is a nice spot for a casual ramen meal, especially if you're drawn to the cozy ambience. However, the dim lighting can be a bit of an inconvenience, and the taste of the food, while not bad, didn't leave a lasting impression. The excellent service does make up for some of the shortcomings. I give Sakutarani a respectable 3 stars, with room for improvement in the lighting and...