gomaichi ramen

If you have a hankering for “the best ramen in Hawaii,” according to Honolulu magazine, you have one more day to head down to Mitsuwa to try Gomaichi Ramen.

While the Gomaichi stand was offering three different types of ramen, I chose the specialty they’re known for: the Tantan ramen. Gomaichi’s tan tantan men comes with a thin layer of chili oil, giving it a bright orangish-red hue which makes it look spicier than it actually is.

gomaichi ramen

The soup was very rich and nutty. The chili oil added a nice touch of spiciness but didn’t overwhelm the flavor. It’s a very oily soup, which lets it ease down your throat with a warm sensation. Unfortunately, the noodles don’t pull their own weight. The thin starchy noodles were chewy but bland, and seemed unable to absorb any of the rich soup flavor.

The pork was lean, a bit dry, and surprisingly bland. The cha shu tasted like it was cooked in a plain water bath that leeched away its natural flavor.

gomaichi ramen

The Gomaichi Tantan ramen could’ve been a contender, but the parts just don’t mesh. The bland noodles and cha shu distracted from than supported the tasty soup. This ramen gets a slightly above-average 6.

Gomaichi Ramen
(inside Mitsuwa Supermarket until 10/25)
665 Paularino Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 434-1101
Cash only

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