Kiwami Ramen — Restaurant in Laredo

This reviews a little late ;) Let me just say, as my very in house first ramen place experience I would hands down give this place a 10/10 recommend :) The service was top notch! I came with a few of my family members and we sat at the front separated at first, once a table was unoccupied they let us switch over to that table so we could all be together. The servers were kind and would check up on us routinely to make sure we had refills on our drinks and enjoying our experience.

The food was delicious! I began my meal with the Takoyaki, which was nothing short of extraordinary. These perfectly round octopus balls were crispy on the outside and delightfully soft on the inside. Each bite revealed a generous piece of tender octopus, perfectly complemented by the savory batter. The Takoyaki was drizzled with a delectable combination of tangy sauce and creamy mayonnaise, and topped with bonito flakes that added a delightful umami kick. It was the perfect start to my meal and left me eager to try more.

Next I was torn between the Kiwami Aka, Miso Tonkotsu and the Spicy Curry Tonkotsu. Since I have a deep love for spicy food and Japanese Curry is always a craving. I went for the #6 the Spicy Curry Tonkotsu! The broth was rich and flavorful, simmered to perfection with a depth that spoke of hours of careful preparation. The noodles were perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of chewiness. Each component, from the tender slices of pork to the perfectly boiled egg with its slightly runny yolk, was meticulously prepared and added layers of texture and flavor to the dish. The addition of fresh green onions and bamboo shoots provided a refreshing contrast to the rich broth, making each spoonful a harmonious blend of flavors. For a second I forgot that I work a full time job, it was like time itself stopped.

Finally let's talk about the ambiance, while I'm saddened to say that I wasn't able to get any pictures of the inside myself. I hope I can encourage others to go check it out for themselves. The restaurant is set up this way. When you enter you're greeted by the chefs and employees in a warm Japanese welcome. The area is clean and there is absolutely no clutter. Towards the back there is an open kitchen where you can see the chefs at their work, a small bar wall holds some ramen bowl decorations. To the right there is a small display of a wall full of lucky cats. And while I didn't use the restrooms myself, my cousins did and said it was 10/10 cleanest restroom they've seen at a restaurant.

I know this review is a little long, but my experience was extraordinary. ありがとう Kiwami Ramen! For a lovely lunch...

I've eaten at dozens of ramen shops and have eaten ramen in japan many times. This ramen shop is the best in Laredo.

The staff greeted everyone in japanese upon entry and thanked them in japanese on the way out!

I had the miso tonkotsu kuro*(I ordered black garlic oil on the side). The broth was pretty spot on when it comes to tonkotsu (bone broth). The choice of chashu pork they use is not fatty and was braised which is good. Mine came with the wavy noodles that weren't overcooked(you would be surprised how many American ramen shops overcook the noodles). It came with a soft boiled "ajitama" or maranated egg, which means this place cares enough to get the details aligned with real authintic japanese ramen. Comes with "negi"(green onion) and "menma" (bamboo shoots). It also came with "kikurage" mushrooms, which is also used in many traditional ramens in japan.

I haven't eaten at every ramen shop in laredo, but I chose to eat here while I was back in town for the holidays after I looked up every shop in town and looked at the photos posted by customers here on Google. This was the ONLY shop in town that looked anything like the ramen I've had in japan and using traditional ingredients.

The only minus was the quantity i received in comparison to japanese ramen. The large bowls are made for large quantities. My large japanese style (XL) bowl was...

The Best Ramen in South Texas! I've tried plenty of ramen in my trips to Tokyo, and I've been to a couple of ramen shops in San Antonio, Laredo, and The Valley, and none have come as close to that authentic Japanese flavor and ambiance as much as Kiwami Ramen. As soon as you walk in you are greeted in typical Japanese fashion by all the wait staff, adding to the restaurants authenticity. The bowl of ramen that prompted me to write this review was their Kiwami Kuro. It might not nail the exact look of the ramen you see in tv shows and anime (ie. no fishcake, seaweed), but make no mistake, these details don't always equal a tastier ramen. The Kiwami Kuro's broth is flavorful, the pork is cooked to perfection, and the straight noodles used in this bowl are a nice change of pace from the thicker noodles normally seen and used in other ramen restaurants. In my opinion mastering these 3 components is essential for great ramen and are exceptionally well done here. The chef should be proud of what he's accomplished. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Laredo is lucky to have a restaurant of this caliber in its borders. Give it a try, you won't be...