We drove here from Michigan, a 20-hour trip, and arrived on a Sunday evening. Wife was at the office the next day at 8am. I took a couple days off to look for –you know– a place to live… The whole thing is exhausting! Nothing like a steaming bowl of ramen to replenish our empty tanks and it just so happens that the Republic Diner + Noodle Bar is right up the street.

Ramen!

The restaurant is in the corner suite of a strip. The entire dining area is open by floor-to-ceiling windows. We stopped at the counter and were greeted by a young, bearded dude wearing a Japanese-style bandana. He was pleasant and happy to offer suggestions after we asked which was his favorite. We sat on backless stools at an unfinished table in the glass enclosure after having ordered the Kimchi Fries to start and two bowls of ramen: Kimchi Cheese for me and, at the attendant’s suggestion, Wife had the Spicy Miso.

The place was pretty empty so we didn’t wait long before our fries arrived. They were pretty good! The fries were single fried and crispy. They weren’t well seasoned but the toppings of kimchi, Sriracha, spicy mayo and bulgogi made up for it. They were messy and tasty and easily subdued by a pair of chopsticks. Two steaming bowls of soup showed up soon thereafter.

There wasn’t a mirror nearby so I can’t be certain but, based on the immediate and passionate defense of his statement, I’m pretty sure headband-guy and I exchanged some impressive looks when he suggested the Kimchi Cheese. Kimchi and cheese in my ramen? I have to admit that I was impressed! I couldn’t taste the cheese but it was just as described: thick and hearty, spicy and flavorful. The noodles were perfectly cooked: nice and chewy; though I felt they were a little under seasoned. In fact, the whole bowl felt just a little under seasoned. It was as if the body of the broth was given a higher priority than was the balance. Even so, the bowl was so hearty that, by the end of my meal, I was absolutely stuffed. Not that my full tummy stopped me from trying some of Wife’s

Her noodles were identical in every aspect: Chewy, noble and mildly under seasoned. Her broth was everything miso should be but still left just a little to be desired. Full-bodied and rich, smooth and well accompanied by corn and ground pork, which left a couple nice surprise spoonfuls of tasty leavings at the bottom of the bowl. The soy-cured soft-boiled egg was wonderfully prepared and served whole. I poked fun at Wife as hers was cracked when it arrived. My smart mouth cost me a bite of my chashu. When will I learn?…

So on to the Chef. He did a good job don’t get me wrong! The real question: is it so good that I’m angry? I enjoyed myself and would tell folk to come try it. You got nothing to do on a Tuesday night and you’re hungry? Pop over! But do I need to I need to exercise my noble right and bring balance back into the world? No. Not this time. I found what I was looking for: a steaming bowl of comfort. I didn’t, however, find my innermost secrets and desires. On a scale of tip-the-hat (low) to shank-the-chef (high) Chef would probably need to call-in after this ass whoopin’, but he’s not getting shanked. You live to fight another day, man. Savor it. Maybe next time I’ll be more irritable.

Chef Shanker

Keeping the world in balance.
Have you ever eaten something so delicious it made you angry?