Ultra House — Restaurant in Langley

Where do I start...

I've spent about a year total in various parts of Japan (since 2014). Ever since my return to the states I have been searching for authentic Ramen. I've tried numerous places in many different major cities to include: Seattle, D.C. and New York.

Every place I tried was good, but not completely satisfying... like an interrupted yawn. Something was always missing. The broth just didn't have any spirit, the toppings were wrong or Char su tasted as though it had been in the fridge a few days. It was better than buying a plane ticket to Japan but almost worth just waiting for the real deal.

Ultra House is everything I've been searching for, the broth has soul, the Char Su is the perfect fatty taste and the toppings are everything I've been missing. Dennis told me he was trying to recreate his childhood growing up in Japan and bring it to his new world. Dennis has done that a thousand times over. I couldn't be more satisfied.

There's also the matter of the Gyoza. The Gyoza were incredible and can stand on their own however, the house Gyoza sauce and Yuzu pepper paste do an excellent job accompanying them.

The service was exemplary. I find myself hard pressed to think of hosts that were more accommodating or more personable than Dennis and his wife. They treated me better than family.

I was torn about writing this review...not because they don't deserve it but because on one hand I want this to my best kept secret but on the other they deserve all the business they can handle and I hope they stick around for years to come.

I will most certainly be back. For those prior military that served in Japan or those that have traveled to Japan and are trying to fill that Ramen sized hole, give Ultra House a shot. You won't be disappointed. I was there around 2pm for a bowl and as I write this I'm half tempted to drive the 45 mins back for another...

We live on the island and have had several great meals at Ultra House both in the restaurant and as takeout. The food is really good, they have a nice selection of sake and imported beers, and the staff has always been very friendly. The Tonkotsu signature ramen is delicious and takes you on a journey of tastes and textures. I personally don't visit without grabbing some of the gyoza pork dumplings as well - they're perfectly cooked with a crispy bottom and deliciously seasoned pork. If you don't want ramen but still want something to warm your soul, the miso soup is delicious and fairly hearty with tofu, scallions, seaweed, and shiitake mushrooms. They also have lots of imported snacks and treats from Japan at the counter area, so it's fun to try a few new mystery snacks each time we visit.

Know that this place is tiny and very popular. They run out of tables quickly, so have some patience and don't expect to be seated right away during the dinner rush. They also have limited hours and days of operation (welcome to Whidbey Island). They do a really good job of packing takeout orders if you'd rather...

The only place in Langley to order ramen. I ordered Tonkotsu ramen and while waiting ordered strawberry mochi ice cream dessert (I often eat my desserts first).

The ramen was a wonderful lunch on a cold day. The broth was rich, the pork chasu tender to bite, and the ramen noodles had just the right chew. It's slightly less salty than ramen I've had from other places but still a lot salty as expected from the dish - so keep that in mind if you are monitoring your salt intake. The dish is a good size serving, enough for one person not two.

The mochi ice cream is nothing special, its served with a dollop of whipped cream on the side. I would recommend ordering it though after a bowl of ramen to 'wash off' the salt overload your palate just had. I drank water instead.

The place is small with limited seating. It was busy when I dined in but fortunately I arrived early enough to secure the bar seating for me and my small group.

Public restrooms are outside in a separate building a...