Kamitoku Ramen Ward Center — Restaurant in Honolulu

Finally got around to trying this place after hearing countless people hype it up. I ordered a regular beefy wild ramen, the deep fried gyoza, and a ramune sour.

The ramen was definitely flavorful -- the broth was very rich and creamy while complementing the texture and mouthfeel of the noodles. While the first few bites really make a big impression, the strong flavor got a bit tiresome and I actually found myself struggling to finish the ramen, despite it tasting so good. I suppose it would have been nicer to have a more complex and slightly more subtle flavor profile rather that one that just beat your tastebuds relentlessly.

The deep fried gyoza had a tasty filling, but I couldn't get behind the crispy, yet insubstantial wrapper. Maybe it's just a preference thing, since I think I like the classic soft, chewy gyoza wrapper more. The ramune sour didn't have too much taste to it; I thought it barely tasted like ramune. I also tried my dining partner's tan tan ramen and fresh lemonade sour. The lemonade sour was very tasty, while the tan tan lacked depth. I felt that it loses out to Goma Tei's tan tan big time.

For the most part, the food was a fair price for the portion size. The drinks were a bit pricy, I wish they had some sort of happy hour. Service was good.

All in all, it's an ok ramen place. Their signature dish really packs a punch in terms of flavor, but it suffers from its success in that the strong flavor...

I meant to leave a 5 star review two trips ago but I'm finally leaving it now. I have finally found the Holy Grail I have been looking for, for four years. Abura soba. I couldn't believe it when I saw it on the website as a limited special. But it's real! And man, was it worth the search when I had it in Japan four years ago. The famous beef is delicious and fatty, and the noodles are chewy, dense, and tasty - I've never had such perfect noodles with this kind of perfect texture in any other ramen shop anywhere. The soft egg is perfectly cooked, the bean sprouts lightly crispy, and the chewy crunch of the garlic chips as they soak up the oil and the fresh green onions add a great texture. Topped by a dab of some kind of tasty spice paste.

This dish is second to none! If you're not too sure about this dish, the tsukemen is a good second (Ramen where you dip the noodles into an intensely flavored broth. Uses thick noodles which are just perfect for it!), but that's also a menu staple. The beef and noodles are the same excellent quality in all of the dishes. Really, the noodles are just the best!!

Will definitely be coming back to have aburasoba again before the next 4-year search lollll. A lesser known dish that is hard to find outside of Japan. Get it while it's...

Beefy Wild - "The Most Popular"

I always suffer from choice paralysis at Shirokiya. Everything smells so delicious! Then I see the prices at each of these restaurants... Ho, even more paralysis... Where do I begin?! I gotta make this meal worth it!

One evening, I noticed an abnormally long line from Kamitoku. That definitely says something about their restaurant when there are like 4 or 5 other Ramen shops in this foodcourt. Not to say those ones aren't good, but this one... this one was special. Instead of pork, they use Beef for their broth!

So is it like pho? That broth is made with beef. - Nah, son!

I experienced Kamitoku Ramen for the first time with "The Beefy Wild" - labeled the most popular. The garlic, smokey, buttery broth carries a rich depth. Once that mouth watering broth hits your lips, it resonates a sweet chime, "post me on instagram... and google reviews."

The beef just falls apart with tenderness. The noodles are nice and al dente. The egg radiates a beautiful and healthy golden glow. One can only guess that this chicken must be eating right and getting adequate amounts of exercise.

It was a bit pricey but I guess if you are dining there and taking advantage of the cheap beer, everything averages out. I'll definitely be back to try their other items...