Rockin' Ramen — Restaurant in Temple

If you like eating here, no need to read my review. However, if you want the truth about the ramen, here it is:

I'm going to preface this with - I'm Japanese; born and raised in Japan(and Texas). I eat A LOT of ramen.

My first issue: the ingredients - corn only goes with Miso ramen! Not anything else. Also, the big four(shoyu(soy sauce), miso, tonkotsu(pork or chicken bone broth), shiyo(salt)) does not include bok choy or pickled cabbage. How they do not offer bamboo shoots, dried garlic or shitake mushrooms(must have staples) is beyond me. The chashu is horrendous. Very very dry and no flavor at all. It is supposed to compliment the ramen because every REAL ramen chef adds their own twist to the taste. Not this one. The miso ramen tasted.....weird, and not like miso. I prefer miso ramen because it is the most complex and has a rich, deep flavor, and again, every ramen chef has their own personal recipe. The "miso" used here must be powder or some generic paste made in the US. It is NOT good. The chicken/pork broth(alarming because they are two separate broths, not combined as one) tastes like a powdered mix. All broths/flavors are supposed to be made separately, in their own pots and added together in the bowl before adding the noodles. Even shoyu is not just soy sauce; it can include other "flavors" like fish stock, sesame oil, seaweed, mirin, etc. I did not see individual broth pots in the kitchen. The noodles are generic mass produced and not prepared well. The noodles were soggy. Noodles are supposed to be added to the hot broth immediately before serving so that they retain a springy texture. Not here.

If you are interested in authentic Japanese ramen, you can find instant bowls on Amazon shipped from Japan that are actually good. Same goes for the miso. My review may come across as harsh, but I am offended by the ramen quality here. It is a terrible representation of real, authentic ramen and I do not wish folks to think this is anything like actual ramen in Japan. Actual ramen chefs in Japan apply for apprenticeship at other well known ramen shops and hone their technique and gain their knowledge after years of work and training. This place is just someone who decided to offer "ramen" because most Americans wouldn't know the difference between good or bad ramen. If you want good ramen, go to Austin. The top three spots will be well worth the drive.

I...

Today I was on mission for authentic ramen and I found this gem! Okay Central Texas get ready to stick a Google pin on this spot because within the Belton/Temple area if you are looking for Ramen or build your own Poke bowls look no further. First let me say that there isn't a huge sign so I drove past this location twice, it's actually the first suite right on the corner of the building as you turn into the parking lot. There are sitting placements indoors and outdoors, comfortably spaced and they are observing health dept. recommended sanitation for the restaurant. The menu is beautiful in it's simplicity, double-sided and single paged. One side for Ramen, drinks and appetizers, the other for Poke bowls or options to make your own. For this visit I chose the Paitan Garlic Ramen, with Pork Chashu and Umami poached egg. I had a Glas of water, a Thai green tea with Boba and for an appetizer the Fried Taro. I had to make voice recorded notes and force myself to take pictures before diving in. FIRST ROUND....FIGHT!The Ramen was amazing, done traditionally with noodles perfectly cooked separately from the creamy broth. The pork chashu was charred on both sides and fully cooked but so tender! The picked cabbage was handmade with bright red cabbage, baby bok choy perfectly prepared and not overdone, sweet corn sat nicely in the center. Topping the entire dish, black garlic oil. The flavors blended perfectly and what really helped was the umami egg. The sweet and savory umami egg, brought our the sweetness of the chashu but balanced out the creamy broth and garlic oil in the Ramen. SECOND ROUND...FIGHT! I was so pleased that the fried taro was not over seasoned! Shredded taro root and peanuts deep fried and served with a spicy (really spicy) chili oil dip. Taro is a great cleanser of the palate, and I was surprised how the peanuts almost tasted boiled but kept some of their crunch. I'm a spice sissy so one dip was all I could handle but I definitely taking the test ho.e to snack on later. CHEERS! The Thai green tea with Boba was made with actual Thai green and Jasmine teas. Blended with sweet cream this was delightfully cool and refreshing on such a hot day. I found another reason to drive somewhere just for the food! And I have to say that the ambience of the place promoted relaxation and relieved some of the stress in my day. I hope to come back and try more...

Rockin' Ramen 02-26-25

Lunch with my Grandsons

The service was good. We were seated right away and drink order taken. Our appetizers were served hot and quick. Shrimp Tempura and Tan Tan Dumplings! Very good. Served with dipping sauces! It was good as usual.

We also had: Rocket Yumen with Chicken and egg. Coconut creamy broth. Topped with bean sprouts crusted peanuts, com, pickled cabbage and your of chicken or I really Liked the broth and the egg add extra flavor. Miso Ramen was ok but my grandson said it was a little strong on flavor. Paitan Ramen Very flavorful and a little spicy. pork chashu. The Pork was tender and flavorful.

Wait staff was great! Friendly and helpful! Food was served fresh and hot!

Will be back again

ROCKIN RAMEN 05-21-24

Clean restaurant with friendly employees. We had lunch today.

Chicken dumplings with sweet spicy chili oil. Deep fried pork egg rolls with sweet & sour sauce.

Paitan Ramen - Rich broth topped with bok choy, pickled cabbage, corn, and pork chashu.

Shrimp Tempura Curry - Steamed rice with shrimp tempura and curry.

Food was served hot and fresh. We will be back again.

01-27-24 Lunch Had lunch today! It was good as usual. I tried the Dimpling Ramen Bowl! It was flavorful and came with chicken dumplings and two Shrimp Tempura’s. We also had Rocket Yumen with pork and egg. Chicken Teriyaki Ramen Bowl.

Wait staff was great! Friendly and helpful!

Food was served fresh and hot!

Will be back again

This is my first time here! It’s a nice little Restaurant with a friendly atmosphere.

The wait staff was efficient and friendly!

We had the: Shrimp Tempura for appetizers and they were really good!

We also had; Paitan Ramen with Pork and Umami Egg. Very tasty!

Spicy Tan Tan Ramen with Pork and Umami Egg.

Paitan Black Garlic Ramen with Pork and Umami Egg!

All dishes were prepared as shown with...