Ramen930 in Lehi dishes up over-the-top ramen
Ramen930's Black Garlic Pork ramen, Curry Croquettes, Deep Fried Gyoza, Takoyaki and Chicken Karrage ordered as take-out on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
Takoyaki and Chicken Karrage take-out from Ramen930 in Lehi on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
Inside Ramen930 in Lehi, Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
Deep Fried Gyoza ordered as take-out from Ramen930 in Lehi on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
Curry Croquette ordered as take-out from Ramen930 in Lehi on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
One of Lehi’s newest restaurants in a line of developments is Japanese restaurant Ramen930.
The trendy restaurant has been open for a couple months, filling a space that was previously a Chinese restaurant, adjacent to places like Mo’ Bettahs, Firehouse Subs and Greek Souvlaki.
Ramen930, as you might guess by its name, focuses on large, delicious bowls of Japanese ramen made from scratch. The restaurant’s name comes from the fact that it boils the broth for 20 hours, finishing at 9:30 a.m. each day.
Lehi has witnessed a number of new restaurants in the last year, and I increasingly find myself in the city for meals. After hearing a lot of buzz on social media, I stopped by in between appointments early one evening to try Ramen930.
With the amount of effort that goes into making quality ramen, you’d think the quantity of items on the menu might be limited. Not so. There are just as many appetizers as there are ramen selections.
Like many of you, sometimes I just don’t have time to sit down and savor a meal in between rushing to the next meeting, appointment or calendar item. But that doesn’t mean I want my meal selection to be subjected to the bottom-feeders of fast food.
Fortunately, Ramen930 does offer pick-up and orders to-go for those trying to squeeze in a full meal before the next corporate presentation or kid’s practice.
From the 10 appetizers, we sampled the Deep Fried Gyoza, Curry Croquette, Takoyaki and Chicken Karrage.
The Curry Croquette was perhaps the most unique out of the ones we tried: fried, flavored curry potato drizzled with a sweet sauce. The spice flavors are spot on for Japanese curry — which is different than an Indian or Thai curry, but equally delicious.
The gyoza are typical fare, though taste great and fresh. I really enjoyed the Chicken Karrage — a Japanese version of fried chicken — served with a white dipping sauce that was very delicious. I’d bottle that sauce to use for dipping other food. The Takoyaki was perhaps our least favorite of the appetizers we tried, though take that with the caveat that octopus is not on the list of food I usually enjoy.
The star, of course, is the ramen.
I imagine many Americans are accustomed to the 30-cent packages of sodium bricks or “ramen” in the grocery isles that tide over picky toddlers and broke college students. Legitimate Japanese ramen is quite labor intensive in order to churn out something so flavorful and yet seemingly simple.
We loved the flavors of the Black Garlic Pork ramen, which the restaurant considers its most popular entree, though one can never go wrong with Tonkotsu. The ramen is topped with two pieces of roasted pork, bamboo shoots, fried whole garlic (yum), Kikurage mushroom, fresh green onions, sprouts and half a boiled egg.
In total, there are seven different types of ramen visitors can order.
Maybe I’m a lightweight, but I’ve consistently struggled over the years at finishing an entire bowl of ramen. My love and hunger usually cannot overpower the available space in my stomach. It’s a heartbreaking predicament — or shortfall, depending on how you look at it.
While we didn’t try some of their entrees, Ramen930 also has Maje ramen which is essentially broth-less ramen focusing on the Japanese noodles and toppings. There are also small rice bowls or “mini donburi” featuring pork and chicken.
Ramen930 in Lehi is the first location for the restaurant, but I imagine it won’t be before long that we see more of it expanding across Utah and the region. There are rumors a second location is already in the works.
Ramen930
Where: 2975 Club House Drive, Lehi
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices: $2.95-$13.50
Info: https://www.facebook.com/ramen930usa/