Terayama — Restaurant in Shelton

I’m really pulling for this place because ramen is my absolute favorite food, and I’d love to see a strong local spot succeed. The ramen here is decent, it does the job but to be completely honest, it’s not “Mecha good.” Unfortunately, the prices are about the same as what you’d pay for a bowl in New York City. People WILL pay $20 for a bowl of ramen, but only consistently if the entire experience feels worth it.

That’s where I think this spot has room to grow. Right now, the space feels bare (I know it’s brand new but I’ll say it anyway), and every time I come in it’s empty and silent. Ramen is an experience, especially in the winter. People want to sit down, warm up, and enjoy it in a place that feels inviting.

My suggestions, for whatever it’s worth:

Get a liquor license and offer a few unique cocktails. Pairing drinks with ramen would add real value and increase your margins (as alcohol does!).

Curate the vibe. Invest in wallpaper, cool lighting, and play some music. Make the space memorable so people want to come back and hang out.

Happy hour, enough said. Discounted small snacks or apps could get people in the door after work. I know it’d get me!

Honestly, I’d recommend visiting Mecha if you all haven’t already. Take a staff trip to soak up the energy and see why people are happy to pay top dollar there. You’ve got the foundation with the food, but if you want to survive and thrive, the experience has to match the price point. It’s just too expensive for what it is right now.

I want you to succeed; I’ll keep coming back occasionally and I hope to...

Ever since we moved back home from SoCal, we have been searching for a perfect bowl of ramen in Connecticut. We had all but given up hope. But tonight, at Terayama, we found the perfect bowl of ramen. The tonkotsu ramen had everything one desires in a luxurious, satisfying bowl. The broth - without a doubt, the most important part of the ramen - was a rich, velvety, perfectly-salted silky mouthful. The chashu was seared and tender. All the elements came together for a delightfully three-dimensional experience where all other ramens had fallen flat. We will be back again and again.

Also, the crispy rice appetizer was a last-minute add to our order, and it was an exquisitely delicious bite. Crunchy and savory in all the right ways. I could easily eat five plates of them.

All around, five...

Got to try Terayama today. The restaurant is very "sterile" as my girlfriend put it. Clean, but no real decoration or atmosphere. Very plain. Service was good! Waiter was quiet but attentive and kind. Food is good. The chashu chicken was tender which was a pleasent surprise. Honestly it is all just fine, or good. Nothing blew me away or made me say "Oh my god this is great!" We got the salmon crispy rice which was nice, and the ramen was the same. The drink menu is very small so be warned there. Honestly I have no big complaints but no real praise to sing. It was just... good. I would recommend if you want a good...