Tamashii Ramen

[OkiePoke]

Went by for lunch today. They definitely need to improve their process. But, I'm not complaining as it was their first day to be open. I'm sure they will get it worked out as this is what soft opening are for.

From the outside, I wasn't sure if I was at the right place. That might be on purpose until their actual opening.

I got the 'Spicy Pork' ramen. Honestly, I wasn't too much of a fan. Just not for me as I prefer pho. It wasn't bad by any means though.

I did see some people who got the fried rice, which looked pretty good and they presented it in a unique way.



Here is their menu:

[Pete]

OMG, that bowl of ramen looks fantastic.

Thanks for sharing.

[White Peacock]

Always a good sign when a place keeps plenty of Sriracha bottles around.

[OkiePoke]

I would like to add that it was PACKED. Lot's of people waiting for a place to sit. I was kind of astonished by how many people came on a soft opening.

[sooner88]

Those all look awesome, I'll try and go in tonight.

[HOT ROD]

Went by for lunch today. They definitely need to improve their process. But, I'm not complaining as it was their first day to be open. I'm sure they will get it worked out as this is what soft opening are for.

From the outside, I wasn't sure if I was at the right place. That might be on purpose until their actual opening.

I got the 'Spicy Pork' ramen. Honestly, I wasn't too much of a fan. Just not for me as I prefer pho. It wasn't bad by any means though.

I did see some people who got the fried rice, which looked pretty good and they presented it in a unique way.

since you like Pho, may I advise next time to try the traditional ramens of Tonkatsu or Shoyu? It likely may be more to your liking since Spicy Pork is a 'bistro' adaptation and not something you'll find too much in a true ramen joint. There's not much spicy food in Japan outside of curry and wasabi (both bland on the spice count).

[Urbanized]

There have been some tweets suggesting they are open for regular business, but it's not quite there yet. Tried to stop by last night around 8, but the doors were locked with a hastily-written "closed" sign drawn on typing paper. Seems they are still working out some bugs.

[sooner88]

I was going to go by for dinner last night, but they put somewhere on social media that they had to close early due to some equipment problems... hopefully they're up and running soon.

[OkiePoke]

since you like Pho, may I advise next time to try the traditional ramens of Tonkatsu or Shoyu? It likely may be more to your liking since Spicy Pork is a 'bistro' adaptation and not something you'll find too much in a true ramen joint. There's not much spicy food in Japan outside of curry and wasabi (both bland on the spice count).

Thanks. I will definitely go again and try those. When I had the Spicy Pork, it seemed really Americanized. Makes sense now.

[Roger S]

Went for lunch today... Have to say that considering they have no signage and absolutely no way to know they are open. They were doing a fairly brisk lunch. As I was crossing the street I saw a young couple walk past it using their cellphone trying to find it. They saw me walking up to the door and turned around and followed me in.

It is kind of like walking into a Japanese Waffle House though. As you enter all the employees yell a greeting in Japanese to you... At least I'm assuming it was a greeting since I don't speak Japanese. ;+) They also yelled a thanks/farewell as I left the building.

I had the Tonkotsu Ramen and thoroughly enjoyed it. The thick slice of grilled pork belly was tender and well seasoned. The noodles were a perfect texture. The broth was seasoned well. I'll definitely be going back and can easily see me eating there multiple times a week in the colder months.

Oh and the background noise is loud enough that those of you that want to loudly slurp your noodles, but are afraid you might offend those around you that don't know that's how ramen is eaten, can do so with abandon.

[HOT ROD]

sounds good. cheers!

[White Peacock]

Looks like they have Yakisoba on the menu now, so it's on my list.

[Roger S]

Tried the yakisoba today and added chasu because I can't get enough of that pork belly. Enjoyed it thouroughly.

About my only complaint, and I'm chalking it up to growing pains, is that they don't always have items that are on the menu.

Today when I walked up their was a sign on the door that said no tonkotsu or spicy ramen due to a supplier issue. I wanted to try the gyoza and they didn't have that either but no explanation why.

I'm going to keep going back because I love the food but I hope they get the supply issues worked out soon.

[Andon]

I wanted to try the gyoza and they didn't have that either but no explanation why.

Just a heads up that in order to expedite service they don't yet offer their side dish options during lunch, but they do offer them for dinner; there are actually two different menus depending on if you go in during lunch or dinner.

[liirogue]

Just a heads up that in order to expedite service they don't yet offer their side dish options during lunch, but they do offer them for dinner; there are actually two different menus depending on if you go in during lunch or dinner.

I'm not sure how accurate the bolded part above is. I ate there Thursday with friends for lunch, and we were able to get everything except the two types of ramen they were out of and the gyoza. We ordered yakisoba, the octupus side dish, fried rice, chasudon, and the one type of ramen that was available. The waitress acted like they were out of gyoza, not that they didn't serve it at lunch period.

We also had the french toast desert which was fantastic. Everyone enjoyed what they got and we have made plans to return once their supply kinks are worked out and we can try the ramen.

[Andon]

Well maybe they have them if you ask for them, but you most certainly get a different menu at lunchtime than at dinner; I've been to both and the sides are definitely not listed on the lunch menu, nor is the Fuji toast as I recall.

[Roger S]

; there are actually two different menus depending on if you go in during lunch or dinner.

The menu they handed me on this visit had gyoza on it... Which is why I asked for it.... The first time I went there were no apps on the menu.

[Colbafone]

Have they said when they will start work on the patio? Also a sign that wasn't hand written and taped to the side of the building? Other than that, awesome place, lol.

[BBatesokc]

Wanted to give this place a try today. Went by at noon and the door was locked. Are they closed?

[Roger S]

Wanted to give this place a try today. Went by at noon and the door was locked. Are they closed?

Hmmm... They posted on the FB page two days ago that they would now be open on Sundays and closed on Mondays but I don't see anything about why they were closed today.

I really think they are going through some huge growing pains and I hope they can overcome them without losing their customers.... I do have to say I have enjoyed the food I've been able to get there... When I can get it.

I've only been twice and didn't recognize hardly any of the staff from my first visit during my second visit.... So perhaps they are having staffing problems.... Just a guess.

[BBatesokc]

There was a sign on the door listing all the positions they were hiring for - pretty much everything! No sign though listing why the door was locked. Not a good first impression.

[Pete]

I think the staffing issue is finally hitting the fan for a lot of these newer places that don't have the support of a larger organization (like Hal Smith or Good Egg).

I had an operator tell me just this week it's been a huge challenge to get staffed up. Another told me after months and months, they are just now starting to get things stabilized.

We all knew this was coming and it seems like the chickens are starting to come home to roost. And it's going to get worse before it gets better.


I said this after my last visit in May: The service at many places in OKC (or really the majority of those I visited) is just not up to snuff. Coming from Southern California where there is a lot of competition for good service jobs, the contrast is especially dramatic.

[Roger S]

Well that kind of sounds like my guess could be correct.... I have also heard rumors from a friend of a friend of a friend about management and staffing but I don't usually put to much stock into that deep of a rumor tree.

[Pete]

Their Facebook page says they are open from 5-9 tonight.

[Roger S]

Their Facebook page says they are open from 5-9 tonight.

They are usually open from 11-2 and 5-9..... Originally Monday - Saturday but they just changed that to Tuesday-Sunday.... Nothing was said about discontinuing lunch service.... Last time I was there they were near capicity for lunch.... So it makes no sense why they were closed when Brian tried to go. I can't imagine it being due to lack of customers.