Aloha Ramen House — Restaurant in Madison

This was a pleasant surprise! Definitely recommended if you enjoy a small and simple variety of ramen (or udon) or (sweet) curry rice dishes paired with a katsu-style/tempura/fried protein of choice.

I wouldn't say it was to-die-for, or something, but - out here - I usually have to have low expectations for places like this. This place actually feels like it cares!

We dined-in at around 6-7pm on a Wednesday. We had the (new) Spicy Beef Ramen, Takoyaki appetizer, and Shrimp Katsu Curry Plate. The food was excellent!

I enjoyed the soy egg, the broth, and the general flavor of everything else in my ramen a bunch! The takoyaki was tasty and seemed well prepared.

If you prefer spicy Indian or Thai style curries and not sweet/buttery curries, you might be disappointed. I love all kinds, so I thought it was very good. (Very similar to the boxed Golden Curry you can pick up at any grocery store, if you needed a comparison.) The fried shrimp was tasty - like, the batter/frying was done quite well. Other places can screw this up somehow and make it taste sad - not the case, here!

The place is somewhat small, and feels somewhere between a typical Asian takeout restaurant and a hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shop. I didn't count, but I'd guess there were about 8-10 tables, maybe. It was clean, not noisy, and comfortable enough to sit and enjoy our food. Food is served from relatively nice takeout containers, making it easy to just get a lid to take leftovers home.

The service was great, the lady was super nice and helpful! (She was probably one of the owners, I imagine.) If you didn't know much about ramen, udon, curry, etc., I got the feeling that she would help and teach you. For example, when we were looking at the menus while sitting at a table, on the way to deliver food to a customer's table, she showed us a dish that they had ordered, which was one of the newer options (Gyoudon beef, or something, which looked tasty). She also briefly explained all the condiments on the table and how to make the food more spicy, if we'd like.

Water and (unsweet) green tea is provided free of charge and generally self-serve (although she walked around and poured more tea, anyway, since there were only a few active tables). There are other canned/bottled drinks in a cooler that you could purchase, if preferred. I personally enjoyed the tea a lot, with just a little sugar added (which is provided at the drink stand).

It could seem a little pricy at first glance, but then most places are, these days. I felt like the portions were fairly generous for the cost. (Also, again, tea and water were free.) I can easily devour a lot of food in a sitting, relatively, so I finished my ramen bowl while there - along with most of the takoyaki. My partner had a couple pieces of takoyaki and ate about half of his shrimp curry plate, taking the rest home for later.

As for the Aloha part of the restaurant name, the main thing is the presence of a few spam dishes - which is HUGE in Hawaii - along with the generally sweeter flavor of some dishes - such as the curry. Aside from that, the friendly and personable service definitely felt a little more like being somewhere in Hawaii. The menus have a couple of Hawaiian words (like keiki for the kids' menu). Having lived in Hawaii for several years, I can say that a place like this would be very, very common there, though!

All-in-all, I think this is a pretty solid little restaurant! I will definitely be back, and I will recommend it to friends for a simple and quick ramen...

MENU INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW

Having recently opened its doors, Aloha Ramen House quickly piqued our curiosity, drawing us in with its unique fusion of Hawaiian and Japanese cuisine. Our initial experience was nothing short of delightful, leaving us eager to share our culinary adventure. Service was amazing and it’s always nice to find out the owners used to run one of my favorite ramen shops back in the Big Island (specifically in Kona). The owners kids helped serve our drinks and food making it feel like it’s one big family treating us to a great experience.

For our main courses, we opted for the Chicken Katsu Curry Bento and the Tan Tan Ramen. The Chicken Katsu was a true standout, demonstrating the kitchen's skill in achieving the perfect balance of breading and tenderness. Unlike many local renditions, this Katsu was neither too thin nor overly breaded, resulting in a satisfyingly crispy exterior and juicy interior. The accompanying Japanese-style curry, simmered in a large stock pot, was rich and flavorful, boasting a depth that hinted at hours of meticulous preparation. The addition of tender potatoes and carrots, slow-cooked in the same curry, added a comforting touch to the dish.

As a prelude to our main course, we indulged in the Spam Katsu appetizer, a popular Hawaiian staple. Aloha Ramen House's rendition was exceptional, transforming the humble canned meat into a crispy, savory delight that was far removed from its processed origins.

The Tan Tan Ramen, a less common offering in Huntsville, proved to be a true gem for those familiar with this unique dish. Tan Tan Ramen, with roots in Sichuan cuisine, is a spicy noodle soup characterized by its rich, nutty broth and the use of sesame paste. Often considered a hidden treasure among ramen enthusiasts, its presence on the menu was a welcome surprise. Aloha Ramen House's rendition did not disappoint, featuring a well-seasoned broth, a perfectly cooked ramen egg, tender Chashu pork slices, and aged bamboo shoots. The addition of their homemade chili oil and fried garlic elevated the flavors to new heights, and a sprinkle of Shichimi Togarashi provided an extra layer of complexity.

In summary, Aloha Ramen House delivers a memorable dining experience that seamlessly blends Hawaiian and Japanese influences. The quality of the ingredients, the skillful preparation, and the attention to detail shine through in every dish. Whether you're a seasoned ramen aficionado or a curious newcomer, this fusion eatery is well...

Stopped by here with a few friends after wanting to visit for a few weeks. I was greeted when I entered and requested a table for our group. They provided menus with a small picture book of some of the menu items; I've never had this experience before. Kudos to the owners for doing this.

I was informed about the different broths in each type of ramen. This label for the menu would be nice. My original intention was to order the Curry Ramen, but I held off after hearing that it had beef broth and couldn’t be changed. I ending up ordering a Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen. While waiting for my order, I grabbed some complimentary Peach Oolong Tea, which was very appreciated. I even grabbed some to-go!

Once I received my ramen, I was a little surprised to see a hard boiled egg. Most places usually have soft-boiled, and one of the owners indicated that they intend to continue this going forward. I’m personally not a fan, but the ramen was decent. The broth wasn’t as hearty, but definitely imparted a good umami flavor. The chashu was nice and thick. We were also served some house made kimchi, which I enjoyed. It had a nice crunch but could use some spice.

The owners indicated that they were still experimenting with their menu. I plan to come here again and try some of the...