Finally visited Shimamoto Noodle after a failed attempt on a day when they were sold out of ramen and weeks of waiting for the weather to cool down a bit. It did not disappoint.
Ordered the Quiet Storm and don’t know if I’ll ever be able to order anything else. The mixture of tonkotsu and seafood broth was freaking delicious. As much as I wanted to finish the rich broth, I had to stop to save my arteries.
I have always regretted not having visited Ramen Shack, being too lazy to do the drive from LA to San Juan Capistrano. I now live in Irvine and can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to have Shimamoto Noodle nearby!
Don Asadero (Pasadena): my new favorite local truck/spot. Handmade flour tortillas with asada, very reminiscent of el ruso, possibly better? The vampiro was my overall favorite, cheesy and crunchy
I got the cheese but unfortunately barely tasted it with how rich the other ingredients were. The bites that I did get that the cheese was somewhat more prominent did not really add to the burger. So no cheese needed. I never thought I would say that about a burger. The burger was a little too rich for me though. It could use something to cut through the richness of the burger IMHO. The burger was medium well to well done. I enjoyed the ramen portion. I would score it an 8 out of 10. I probably wouldn’t go unless I was already in the area for another reason.
I also got the Shoyu ramen to try something different. I usually get Tonkotsu ramen but I decided on the shoyu hoping for it to be less rich since I had the burger too. Unfortunately, I probably just don’t like Shoyu ramen. The noodles and egg was excellent. The pork was a little bit overcooked. I do plan to come back to try the quiet storm ramen when I am in the area.
When going to a Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing restaurant, there are times we can’t decide on water boiled beef, or fish, maybe chicken. Most places offer a combo of two. We just discovered Yunnan Restaurant offers the kitchen sink option. Feast your eyes on the cryptically named
It has the requisite pork blood jello/curd. The rest of the identifiable combination ingredients are sliced beef, sliced chicken, sliced fish, tripe, intestine, and, drum roll please , Spam.
At $30 it is about $10 more than the standard hot pot dishes on the menu. Plenty to satisfy a small group, or less people for a few meals. Mild was also plenty spicy
Wadaya is the most unsung noodle expert in LA. Never fails to make me very happy. I am almost always a Curry Mazumen these days but love all the mazumen I have had there.
Doho is solid, better than the pizzerias in Irvine, but not worth a special trip. It’s much easier to dine there than at Truly.
Truly in Dana Point is great. Their Umami Mushroom is pretty unique and my fave pie there (I have never tried any of the ones with meat because my MIL (who lives in DP) is pescatarian and my husband doesn’t eat beef (SIGH).
I made the mistake of going to Truly in Laguna Beach in the first couple of weeks after they opened. One pizza was burnt and the Umami Mushroom was greasy and heavy. I’ve been meaning to go back but have been scared.
I’ve only been to Truly when I’ve made reservations and have never done walk-in. If I had to wait an hour or two after driving down from LA, I’d probably think they were kind of overrated.
A delicious patty melt on rye that hit all the right notes: salty, cheesy, crunchy, beefy.
Fries get a B-. Some were transcendently well seasoned, crunchy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, while others were bland and almost undercooked.
Was it the best patty melt I’ve ever had? No! Was it the best patty melt I’ve ever had on a barge? Yes!
Two coffees, a turkey burger, a patty melt and we were out $40 after tax and tip. They were doing a very respectable lunch trade.
The chowder is just ok imo. I was always more of a bisque person so my opinion might be biased. They make a good sandwich, the atmosphere is unique for LA, and it’s a good crowd.
Anyplace that’s relatively inexpensive and in striking distance to Kirk Douglas Theatre? I don’t mind parking my car twice but would prefer if it’s relativley close. (For this purpose, Jade Rabbit is too far as I’m coming from the east). Thanks, and I’ll report back.
, Spam.
