Harmony Tea Shoppe — Restaurant in Indianapolis

TL;DR - Excellent presentation, but didn't stick the landing. Good for La Mian, but go elsewhere for Ramen.

The details: Went on a Saturday night, just around the start of what one would consider a dinner rush (6-ish). There are about a dozen tables there, with three of them occupied upon our arrival. Service was very prompt throughout, leaving nothing to be desired there. The decor is minimalistic and trendy, and the music was a string of covers of all genres...sung by the exact same lady. I've never heard her before. Probably won't again, unless I return. My date ordered the Shoyu Ramen. I ordered Takoyaki as an appetizer and Lazhou La Mian for dinner. To my surprise, despite ordering them after, we got our noodles first, with the takoyaki joining us later.

Shoyu Ramen: The broth for the ramen felt very light, and kind of dull. The noodles were pretty good, but all the ingredients inside of it felt off in their own ways. The pork belly felt tough and dry. The egg wasn't particularly runny, more of a medium egg, but passable. I feel like the narutomaki was added for more style than substance; it didn't add anything to the dish. Honestly, "more style than substance" is a good summary of it.

Lazhou La Mian: I've never had La Mian, so this was a first. Like my date's Shoyu Ramen, my broth was light and subtle. However, without a reference point, I actually enjoyed mine. The noodles were a satisfying level of chewy without feeling tough. My beef was sliced very thin, but the flavor seemed dulled somehow; this may just be how this dish works, but you should know in advance. The bok choy was appreciated, and I completely adored the mushroom's earthy and slightly salty contribution. The egg was nice, but it concerned me that the yolk for it was cold. Not cold compared to the dish, as the dish wasn't served hot to begin with, but authentically, almost shockingly, cold. Again, without a reference point, I'm not entirely certain how to take this, but while my dish was served quickly, as was my date's, they were both served lukewarm.

Takoyaki: These came out last; three surprisingly massive balls, honestly overadorned with sauce, mayo, and a blizzard of bonito flake. My date took one up first, burning his mouth on the "super hot" takoyaki. I was a bit more patient, waited for them to cool, and tried mine. I was, sadly, disappointed. The inside was mushy and felt undercooked, and the second one I ate had next to no octopus in it despite my searching. I realize the mush and cook may simply be due to the enlarged size of these particular takoyaki. However, it simply wasn't worth it.

As I don't know of anywhere else off the top of my head serving La Mian in the area, it's a good place to go. I don't recommend them for Ramen, as there are other places around that simply do it better. I'm not sure where to get takoyaki, but don't let this be your first foray into it. Once again, service is prompt and attentive, the atmosphere is nice, the portions are fairly large, the price is affordable and reasonable, but the food just doesn't live up to the other reviews I've seen. If I'm just ordering the wrong dishes, please let me know, and I'll be happy to give them...

Meet Noodles is a unique spot. While they serve ramen, the rest of the dishes served are Chinese in origin (to my knowledge). It's located in a strip in Castleton across from the Viet Hua Food Market. A little off the beaten path for most, but strategically placed given the food that is being served.

You walk in to a restaurant that is open, clean, and warmly lit. I was promptly greeted and given a table...which surprisingly contains.storage for the napkins, chopsticks, etc. How clever! You are given a bowl of peanuts that were boiled in star anise or Chinese five spice, or at least that's what they looked and tasted like. While I've never been given boiled peanuts to start, they were good.

I ordered the black fungus salad and spicy beef brisket. The black fungus salad is marinated in a spicy garlic sauce...and it's not quite what you think it would be. The sauce was vinegar based and very strong...eat the mushrooms with the cilantro to balance out the dish. The mushrooms had a pleasant texture that was a bit firm...these are wood ear mushrooms. I haven't come across a taste like that since dining at an actual Chinese restaurant in Lyon, France. This not your traditional American Chinese food.

The spicy beef brisket came out next. This dish had spices similar to the peanuts...star anise, Chinese 5 spice, or some variation of combinations. The beef is of a more diverse cut...it includes some tendon and gelatinous goodness/goodies. Great if you like that sort of thing, like I do. The noodles were good, not too soft and not too firm. Overall, I thought the dish could have used a bit more kick...it wasn't spicy at all. And I thought the broth, while elegant in flavor, could have been a bit bolder. But since I've never had this dish before, I'm going to assume that's how it is supposed to be.

Overall, good service, good food, good portions, and at decent prices. I'll make a return trip to try the ramen. Hopefully the quality remains consistent after their...

I hate to be the person to rain on everyone's parade, but Meet Noodles still needs to work out some kinks with their seasoning and flavor.

The place is aesthetically pleasing, the customer service is great, you don't wait very long.

That being said, I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen. The bowl is quite large, I was expecting to taste a nice, savory, rich broth and I was utterly disappointed. Everything was cooked perfectly, but tasted absolutely BLAND.

I don't know if I got a bad batch or what. I didn't have enough toppings, most of the ramen was a lot, a lot of noodles. I had to season my ramen with salt.

You shouldn't have to do that at a place that is currently being reviewed at 5 stars on Google.

I think this place is great and has potential but they should 1) charge for more toppings if you want them. Depending on what it is.

2. Add way less ramen noodles and again charge if you want more because its wasting food and money. The lady said to me "oh you didnt like them? Dont you want them to go?" I said "no, thank you, they were just a lot" and she replies oh it's just when you leave them in , they expand and soak up the broth.

Ok, if you're going to imitate or make Japanese ramen at least do it right. Dont leave the ramen in the broth and add your noodles as your about to serve the ramen.

3. My poor egg was all the way at the bottom, traditionally its always on the very top of the ramen.

Overall the place is great, but there are other hole in the wall restaurants that arent as aesthetically pleasing, in an ugly location, the inside not so great, but the food tastes delicious and amazing. Looks are a part but the flavor makes the restaurant what makes people want to go back.

I'd come back a different day and maybe I'll have a...