Shiki — Restaurant in Excelsior

Being a "ramen head," i always rejoice when I hear a new ramen spot opened. Shiki Noods specializes in chintan or clear broths ramen, which is pretty rare in Minnesota. Only a few does it right too.

I had the Shoyu Ramen. Pork broth with dashi (a seaweed broth usually with fish that is used in many japanese dishes), seasoned with shoyu/soy (its a special seasoned soy, not just a basic soy), and wavy noodles. This shoyu ramen is legit. It reminds me of the old school Tokyo shoyu ramen in Japan. Nice, comforting, flavorful, and simple (you can taste the simple pork, dashi, and soy). If you ever wonder how old school Tokyo shoyu ramen tastes like in Japan, this bowl is a decent representation.

I also had their chicken meat ball skewers, and pan fried pork buns. Both were solid. U can tell they make the dumplings in house, which you gotta love (many spots use frozen).

What are the cons? Yes its pretty pricey. $20 for a shoyu bowl is definitely pricey, being that shoyu ramen is a humble and cheap food option in Japan. However, this isnt japan. Its America. With the tarrifs, inflation, and owning a brick and mortar in the suburbs, i cant imagine the costs. Being new, everything is not yet executed perfectly (noodles a bit overcooked, the pan friend pork bao batter was a bit under cooked). But i cant hate on that, they just opened. Staff is still learning and accustoming themselves.

If youre in the area and want a taste of japan, definitely check them out. Is this spot worth driving far out for? If ur a fan of Asian and Japanese food, sure. Overall, I love the growth of ramen in MN, and again this spot serves a legit shoyu ramen. The place is nice and the staff did...

Shiku in Excelsior, MN: A Steamy Love Letter to Ramen and Dumplings

If you’ve ever dreamt of slurping rich, umami-laden ramen while basking in the sun like a pampered housecat—Shiku in Excelsior is your spot.

Let’s start with the apps: the pan-fried bao and shrimp steam buns were straight-up killer. Like, do I have to share this with my kids? level good. (Spoiler: I didn’t.) The pork potstickers had that ideal crisp-to-chewy ratio that could start a TED Talk. And the dipping sauce? So good I thought about drinking it. I didn’t. But I definitely thought about it.

The ramen was solid—comforting, flavorful, and it just hits right. The broth’s got that deep, savory thing going on, the noodles are springy like they’ve got something to prove, and the soft-boiled egg? Absolute jammy perfection. Add tofu or chicken and it’s a whole meal that’ll hug your insides.

Pro tip for future customers: grab that soy sauce and sriracha on the counter. A few extra drops of salty heat and boom—next level.

The vibe inside Shiku is cozy-cool. Giant windows for prime people-watching, fun murals on the wall (anime-meets-floral-goddess energy), and a bar setup that invites you to linger. Whether you’re solo, with the fam, or out with friends, it’s got the right energy.

Also, shoutout to the drink game. Ramune and Diet Coke on the table like they’re old pals? Love to see it.

The kids loved it, adults left full and happy, and we’re already planning to come back. If you’re in Excelsior and don’t hit Shiku, honestly—what are you even doing?

Get the dumplings. Get the ramen. Use the sauces. Trust me...

Had the kimchi ramen and it was phenomenal. Honestly some of the best I’ve ever had. I was a little hesitant when I saw it was $20 compared to the usual $15–17, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Everything was legit. Real pork belly grilled right on the flat top in front of me, not the sad boxed stuff you get at most ramen spots. The broth was rich, the kimchi had bite, the mushrooms were perfect—no weird pink filler toppings thrown in just for looks.

The chef behind the bar clearly wanted to be there and cared about what he was making. You could see it in the way he flipped the pork and grilled the pot stickers. Not just someone just punching a clock.

Potstickers were also phenomenal. Crispy, juicy, clearly fresh. Lemongrass was unique and the sear was spot on.

Overall, totally worth the $20, and easily worth the extra $5 compared to your typical Minneapolis style ramen joint. I’ll be back for sure.

This is a jester concept restaurant who was previously very guilty of tacking on BS fees. A rare win for the MN legislature stopping that. This place is making up for it with a 3% CC. At least there’s an actual cost behind that fee and you can avoid it with...