
Having been exposed to multiple different aspects of Japanese culture ever since I was a little kid, I was really looking forward to giving this restaurant a try. Part of me was hoping itâd be the best meal of my life, but it wasnât. At the same time, it also wasnât terrible. Maybe itâs because I built up ramen way too much in my mind, so anything other than perfection was going to be a letdown. Itâs either that or I simply have to give different ramen places a try.
As I usually do, I ordered a bit of everything from the entire menu. I started off with takoyaki and I loved it. The only thing about it that bummed me out was realizing that I wanted more than this order had to offer. The serving size was around 4 medium (leaning towards small) pieces that were chewy while also being able to balance between not too salty, or sweet.
This being a Japanese restaurant, I was hoping that the rice would turn out to be special. I wouldnât go so far as to say that this is the best rice Iâve ever had, but it definitely had its own personality. What I mean is that it was a bit spicy (not too bad), looked great, and it was really fresh. Maybe I was expecting it to be more flavorful, but chances are Iâm just not familiar with how rice is handled within Japanese cuisine.
I also happened to order potato salad, but it was more like a puree. Iâm sure that itâs because Iâm used to different kinds of potato salad. Whereas some tend to rely on thicker slices of potato or even cubed potatoes, this potato salad was a bit more barebones in ways other than how it was served.
Besides the ramen itself, most of what I ordered were small appetizers meant for one person, but since I was sharing this meal with two others, I wasnât able to get as much of a taste of things as I wouldâve liked.
The sausage I ordered looked good, but that wasnât enough for me. In the end, it wasnât bad, but it also wasnât great. If I were to order from this restaurant again, chances are I wouldnât order the potato salad or the sausage; Iâd simply order more takoyaki.
By the time I got to the tonkatsu ramen, I wasnât sure how itâd turn out. The first thing that came to mind was how the broth wasnât too thick or watery. Seeing as how I prefer my soups/broths to be on the thicker side, that was great. On top of that, it had a pretty milky flavor and texture. On its own, Iâd definitely have more of this broth.
The noodles themselves came off as too thin. Maybe itâs because those are the kinds of noodles that are used in ramen or this particular dish, but I was hoping for a bit more than what I got. I also happened to order some extra noodles and though that definitely helped fill me up, I was still left wanting a bit more than what I got.
For the most part, you never really know what youâll get when it comes to pork. Itâll either be incredibly fatty, or lean to the point where youâre left thinking that you shouldâve ordered something else. Thankfully, that wasnât the case with the tonkatsu ramen. The pieces of pork I got were a bit sweet and chewy, but not to the point where it came off as tough. The pork along with the broth were definitely my favorite parts of this dish.
Even if I was a bit unhappy with some of the side dishes I ordered, the meal as a whole was good. The ramen did most of the heavy lifting when it came to filling me up, so itâs not as if I was left wanting more food.
What also stood out to me was how it seemed as if they preferred to use the natural flavors of the food instead of relying on too many spices. At times this gave off the impression that the food wasnât as flavorful as one might expect it to be, but at the same time, it wasnât flavorless. I guess thatâs where spiciness comes to play. It wasnât to the point of discomfort, but enough to make its presence felt.
I definitely would like to visit this restaurant again, but I wouldnât order as much as I initially did. Iâd simply stick to the ramen and more of the side dishes that...
   Read moreJust had an unforgettable meal at Fuyu Ramen. The Tonkatsu Ramen was a savory delight, featuring a broth that was the perfect balance of saltiness and soy sauce flavor. The chashu was succulent and flavorful, not dry like at some other places. They also nailed the ramen egg, cooking it perfectly to complement the soup.
The Takoyaki was another standout. The brown fried balls were crispy on the outside while maintaining a juicy tenderness inside. While I would have loved more than just the four they serve, each one was a burst of flavor that kept me wanting more.
The Small Pokebowl was exactly what you'd hope for. The raw fish was served at a warm temperature, which I appreciated, and the balance of flavors and seasoning was spot on.
But the star of the show, surprisingly, was the Yuzu Lemon Beverage Mint. This fizzy drink was incredibly refreshing, especially after a hot day. The chunks of pickled lemon and minty freshness made this more than just a beverage, but an experience in itself.
Aside from the great food, the service was top-notch and the restaurant's atmosphere was cozy and comfortable, feeling almost like a home away from home. A pleasant surprise was the separate sink for hand-washing, which shows their attention to detail.
I highly recommend Fuyu Ramen for anyone seeking an exceptional Japanese...
   Read moreI have been coming to Fuyu ever since I had a friend move to Sunnyside and Iâve become a regular there. Itâs become âour spotâ and it hasnât let us down. If you look at my reviews I am a ramen connoisseur, and I have to say I just love this spot.
This particular time I snagged the lunch special, which got me Tonkotsu Ramen and Chashu Pork rice bowl for $17. It was pretty filling and very savory, which I love, especially the pork in the rice bowl. One thing I donât particularly love is how oily the ramen sometimes is but itâs nothing unbearable. I am a BIG fan of the noodle type they use, which is a very big plus for me.
In the past Iâve had chicken Shio Ramen and Karaage chicken bao, all of which I love.
If you ever hop off the 7 train on 46th and Bliss, this is the place to go!
Also, I am a HUGE fan of the aesthetic and how clean it always smells in there. I sometimes can smell the cleaning product when itâs a little emptier, and it makes my cleanliness...
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