Asa Ramen opens in Orem as first authentic ramen shop in Utah County
Karaage, a Japanese fried chicken, is available at Asa Ramen in Orem on Wednesday. Asa Ramen is the first authentic ramen shop in Utah County.
Miso ramen is available at Asa Ramen in Orem.
Chashu Buns are available at Asa Ramen.
Karaage, a Japanese fried chicken, at Asa Ramen.
Chashu Buns and Karaage are available at Asa Ramen in Orem.
I’m no ramen expert.
However, I’ve tasted the real thing in Tokyo — and you can’t go back.
The difference between the craft of Japanese ramen and store-bought, 30-cent ramen noodles college freshmen subsist on is about as stark as substituting tofu for steak. (Though I mean no ill will toward tofu.)
A little more than a month ago, a new restaurant quietly opened its doors along the hustle and bustle of Orem’s State Street corridor. Tucked in next to Joe’s Cafe, the area’s first authentic ramen shop is gaining rapport with Utah County’s population that’s hungry for the real deal and tired of driving to Salt Lake for it.
While you won’t submit your order via a vending machine as one might abroad, the first thing you will experience at Asa Ramen is the incredibly polite service.
Like ramen, Asa’s menu is crafted, yet simplistic. It offers more than half a dozen starters from gyoza to shrimp tempura. And while some good gyoza and edamame are always safe and delicious, only sampling those is a missed opportunity. The Chashu Bun — a first for me — was a fun and equally satisfying experience. If you’re likewise not acquainted with this dish, it could be (roughly) described like mini pork sliders or sandwiches that are slathered in a savory brown sauce.
My friend and I also eagerly dined on the bite-sized pieces of Karaage, a Japanese fried chicken that brings you back to the pure basics. We sprinkled it with lemon juice and dipped it in a sauce with sesame that was provided. One word: yum.
The starters are wonderfully delightful and refreshing, however, like opening bands at a concert, we enjoy them in anxious anticipation for the main act.
So, let’s talk ramen.
Asa offers three different options on its menu. There’s Tonkotsu, Miso and Shoyu. Each is served with noodles, chashu, egg, mushroom, onion and bamboo shoots. Where each differ is in the broth.
Tonkotsu is perhaps the most traditional — and in my opinion the favorite — based on pork bone broth. Miso has a chicken broth with miso and Shoyu is made with chicken broth and soy sauce.
The chashu, or pork, in the ramen is incredibly tender and easily falls apart as you dive into the bowl with chopsticks. The noodles, I was told at one point, are made locally by a woman. Having gorged myself on starters, I was more than content with my half bowl of Tonkotsu ramen, though on days when I’m feeling more ravenous and ambitious a full bowl is a happy sight.
We also ordered the Miso and the broth has its own distinct flavor from the Tonkotsu, that like its name tastes similar to miso soup.
Perhaps my one other favorite thing at Asa is not obvious, as it’s not on the menu, however the restaurant has a selection of bottled Japanese sodas.
During my brief couple weeks traveling Japan, I developed an obsession for melon-flavored things: ice cream, bread, candy. And while I was there, I succumbed and broke my two-year-long no soda streak for, you guessed it, some melon soda.
It was worth it.
You won’t find American stores carrying beverages that taste like it. Asa has melon soda, as well as a couple others like grape and one that tastes like bubblegum. If you’re feeling curious, I highly recommend ordering one while you slurp down your giant bowl of ramen.
If you’ve never tried real ramen, you no longer have an excuse. However, don’t blame me if you want to leave your sad, 30-cent ramen for the dogs afterward. Actually, you can blame me. I’m happy to be responsible for that.
ASA RAMEN
Where: 1120 S. State St., Orem
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday
Prices: $3.50-$8.95
Info: Facebook – Asa Ramen Orem Utah, (801) 842-1898