Shinmai Shokudo — Restaurant in Cary

Shinmai is a delightful addition to the Japanese ramen scene, offering a cozy and tastefully decorated interior that sets the stage for a satisfying dining experience. Upon arrival, I was impressed by the simple yet inviting atmosphere, with tables comfortably spaced and noise levels kept to a minimum during my visit.

Opting for the Tori Karaage, I was treated to a generous portion of Japanese-style fried chicken that arrived freshly cooked and pleasantly crispy. While the chicken itself was tender and well-prepared, I found it could have benefited from a touch more seasoning. However, a squeeze of the accompanying lemon wedge proved to be a game-changer, adding a burst of flavor that elevated the dish. The mayonnaise dipping sauce, although slightly sweet for my taste, offered a complementary pairing for those who enjoy a hint of sweetness with their fried chicken.

Moving on to the Soboro Don, the presentation alone was a feast for the eyes. The combination of spicy ground pork, soft-boiled egg, green onion, and seaweed created a visually stunning dish that promised a symphony of flavors. Once the ingredients were stirred together, the melding of flavors was indeed harmonious, with the pork standing out as a highlight. Despite being slightly greasy, the rice provided a perfect balance, absorbing excess oil and enhancing the overall texture of the dish. The slow-building heat of the spicy pork added an exciting element to each bite, keeping my taste buds engaged until the last spoonful.

Throughout my meal, the attentive staff ensured that my dining experience was seamless, and the calming ambiance only enhanced the enjoyment of the food. With such a promising first visit, I am eager to return and explore more of Shinmai's menu offerings. Overall, Shinmai has left a lasting impression, and I look forward to many more delicious...

So excited to have a new ramen place nearby (with other options too). I am going to give this place a 5 star because they deserve it, but I also would like to discuss some possible things they could improve since they are new in Cary! (Although, I have no expertise in the culinary world. I am just a foodie so take this with a grain of salt 😁)

Appetizer (Tori Karaage): their fried chicken was delicious. Very juicy and crispy on the outside. I feel that $8 is a bit expensive for how small these pieces of chicken are, and I think it would elevate the chicken if there was some type of sauce to them. They come with a slice of lemon, which helped, but some sauce would make it even better!

Meal (Tonkotsu Ramen): this ramen was amazing. I’ve had almost every ramen spot in Cary/Raleigh area (and Orlando area), and I feel this competes well with other ramen spots. The broth was very flavorful with the black garlic oil. I would only change 2 things with it, being adding more veges (such as bok choy) and possibly charring the pork belly a bit. The pork belly tasted great, but charring it would bring out even more of a flavor.

Dessert (Raindrop Cake): I’ve never had a raindrop cake, but I have had something similar so I understood the concept. I thought it tasted very good. I would’ve loved if there was some crunchy component to it (maybe peanuts or even crushed peanuts) to elevate it.

Again, take these with a grain of salt. This place is still a 5:5, these are just some suggestions I have as a foodie! Looking forward to coming...

New, fresh, tasty! Walking into this restaurant we were greeted warmly and immediately seated. They were in their soft opening phase so the menu was limited but there were plenty of options that looked delicious.

We started with takoyaki (like an octopus fritter) and it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I'd get them again. My main dish was a salmon bento since it was during lunch. The salmon was cooked just right, the rolls were sweet, savory, and light. The egg was fun to try out and I liked it. The salad was nice to have a freshness to balance the rich teriyaki sauce on the salmon. Miso soup was delicately flavored. All in all the meal had excellent flavors and was a joy to eat. My companion had ramen and enjoyed it, said the broth was tasty We had beautiful peach tea and a fun to-push-the-marble-in ramune. We ended the meal with a raindrop cake - so pretty. It was like eating sweet water but in a fun way. The sauce it was resting upon was unique and delicious and I still don't know what it was made of. My only issue is the price seems high. The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful. The parking is ok, kind of busy but you'll most likely find a spot.

Update: tried a very unique dish and enjoyed it very much - carbonara udon with salmon. It came out piping hot and was an enticing sight. The sauce was silky with a slightly cheesy flavor and the salmon was crispy on the edges and balanced the sauce. Wish there was double the...