Santouka Ramen - Costa Mesa

In a time when ramen joints seem to be gaining popularity and popping up almost daily, Santouka is a place that seems to keep things old school and simple.

Many of the newer ramen places either have a ton of different types of soup choices, such as Mapo Tofu, Curry, Seafood, etc.  Or the other option seems to be that you get your choice of soup bases, such as shio (salt), miso or shoyu (soy sauce), and then nickel and dime you for extras such as pork, eggs, mushrooms, vegetables, etc.

Santouka has its roots in Japan, and first came to the US several years ago.  In California, it appears that they have partnered with Mitsuwa market, as most of the restaurants are based in the food court of this Japanese super market chain.

Spicy Miso Ramen

The Spicy Miso Ramen, is a deep, thick rich pork soup base with miso to give it a somewhat cloudy appearance.  Thick, rich puddles of oily goodness can be seen floating at the top of the bowl.  Although  red like magma, the soup would probably not be considered to spicy for most.  The ramen comes with two thick slices of fatty pork belly that just melts in your mouth, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, green onions and sesame seeds.  The noodles have enough chew in them to make the meal satisfactory.

Shoyu Egg

The ramen also comes with a shoyu soaked hard boiled egg.  Unlike many ramen places, Santouka serves this on the side rather than placing it in the ramen.

Pork & Rice

The pork and rice side dish completes the combo.  The pork is super tender and full of flavor.  It literally disintegrates in your mouth.  The rice is moist and a little chewy.  It is also loaded with green onions and sesame seeds.

Santouka does not do "gimmicky" ramen, just the basics.  However, they do them to perfection.