Midtown Lunch

I’ve been a big fan of Tatsu Ramen ever since they opened up on Sawtelle two years ago, and clearly I’m not the only one if they’ve survived the competition on that street.  It’s especially good in the summer time, when their soup-less naked ramen is a great alternative to the heavy-osity of Daikokuya and the Tsujitas. And their hot ramen is not too shabby either. So when I heard they were opening a new location on Melrose near Highland I wasn’t too surprised.  But with a new location comes a new(ish) menu, and one of the new items was a huge surprise.

They still have the iPads for ordering, which might seem gimmicky at first but are actually a smart way to order ramen- especially for people who like to customize their soup.  In other words… the Melrose crowd will likely love this.

Much has been made about their new in house noodles, which you’ll be able to see being made in a fishbowl up front.  It’ll be interesting to see if they can improve upon what Sun Noodle seems to have perfected, but it’s not up and running yet.

As for the menu, all the original items are back including the signature black garlic “soul” ramen w/ sweet ground beef and the naked ramen.  But the new Melrose location has two new bowls that are not at the original… a vegetarian “hippie” ramen and a chicken ramen.

Obviously I didn’t try the vegetarian ramen, because what would I know about that.  But the chicken ramen was surprisingly delicious, and is sure to be a favorite in the neighborhood.  The slices of fatty chashu can be replaced by slices of chicken breast (the horror!) but if you do go that way, the schmaltzy broth more than makes up for it.  And it’s all brought together by the yuzu chili paste they dab onto the side of the bowl.  That extra little kick of chili and citrus, which they don’t put into any other soup, is just the thing that pulls it all together and makes it unique.  In other words, I could see myself ordering it again come winter.  Which for chicken ramen, is saying a lot.

Tatsu Ramen

• 7111 Melrose Ave, 323-747-1388
• 2123 Sawtelle Blvd, 310-684-2889