Since returning from our incredible summer trip to Japan (where we tasted the most delicious ramen at a small restaurant in Matsumoto), we have been looking for a similar experience in San Jose. One of my co-workers suggested I try the Hokkaido Ramen Santouka place at the Mitsui Marketplace (Japanese grocery store) nearby.
Although I lived nearby, I have never been inside Mitsui Marketplace. On Sunday, October 7 (after surfing in Capitola), we decided to stop by for lunch at Hokkaido Ramen. We were told to expect very long lines and have cash available (since credit cards are not accepted).
We arrived around 2:00pm, and Alex was hungry after his 4-hour surfing session. We usually stop by either SuperDuper (for a burger) or Pizza My Heart (for the "Manresa" pizza). This time, we got in line at the Hokkaido Ramen place. The wait was very long - we waited close to an hour before ordering our Ramen (it was much faster in Japan).
Inna ordered a regular "Spicy Miso Ramen" bowl, while Alex and I ordered the normal "Miso Ramen."
After waiting another 30 minutes for the ramen to be prepared, we finally started eating around 3:30pm. Finding a place to sit was difficult, but we finally found a table. While the ramen was quite delicious (very close in taste to what we tried in Japan), the waiting made the experience less enjoyable. In Tokyo and Matsumoto, I could order ramen in a few minutes and have it ready in less than 10 minutes.
We might return one day, but the wait time detracts from eating there.
Although I lived nearby, I have never been inside Mitsui Marketplace. On Sunday, October 7 (after surfing in Capitola), we decided to stop by for lunch at Hokkaido Ramen. We were told to expect very long lines and have cash available (since credit cards are not accepted).
We arrived around 2:00pm, and Alex was hungry after his 4-hour surfing session. We usually stop by either SuperDuper (for a burger) or Pizza My Heart (for the "Manresa" pizza). This time, we got in line at the Hokkaido Ramen place. The wait was very long - we waited close to an hour before ordering our Ramen (it was much faster in Japan).
Inna ordered a regular "Spicy Miso Ramen" bowl, while Alex and I ordered the normal "Miso Ramen."
After waiting another 30 minutes for the ramen to be prepared, we finally started eating around 3:30pm. Finding a place to sit was difficult, but we finally found a table. While the ramen was quite delicious (very close in taste to what we tried in Japan), the waiting made the experience less enjoyable. In Tokyo and Matsumoto, I could order ramen in a few minutes and have it ready in less than 10 minutes.
We might return one day, but the wait time detracts from eating there.
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