HIMAWARI
202 2nd Ave, San Mateo
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Expect to walk by Himawari many times before entering, as the exterior of the restaurant is quite obscured from view. But don’t be fooled by the subdued outside — this tiny establishment offers comfort and satisfaction to a hungry customer.
When the menu arrives, it may seem nearly impossible to decide what to order as there are so many things to choose, from broth flavor to toppings and appetizers. There are many new flavor combinations that may seem unappealing to a first-time customer, like braised gizzards and mayonnaise-covered prawns, so soy sauce seems like the way to go, as it could be hard to go wrong with such a ramen classic.
The wait is a reasonable 15 minutes, and the food comes out piping hot. Like other ramen spots, each bowl is topped with an egg, slices of roasted pork and chopped green chives.
The taste of the broth is appetizing — not over-salted or fatty in texture at all. The consistency is good too, as the broth is clear and the soy flavor comes through just enough to add taste without becoming sickening. The noodles are perfectly cooked and the meat adds the much-needed smoky taste to the somewhat bland ramen bowl.
Overall, the ramen is nicely put together, with the flavorful broth, delicate egg and fresh chives adding a pop of flavor that entertains the taste buds.
Himawari also offers a welcoming and relaxing ambiance with retro decor and mirrored wall that lets the room breathe. The jazz music records hanging on the walls add to the eclectic atmosphere that is perfect for the hungry customer in search of a bowl of comforting and satisfying ramen.
SANTA RAMEN
1944 S El Camino Real, San Mateo
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Santa Ramen will often have a line out the door, as it is a popular place for starving shoppers from the surrounding area. Ordering is quick, and the food comes out in a little under 15 minutes.
At first glance, the ramen doesn’t completely satisfy the eye. The broth has chunks of fatty meat circling around as an oversized egg is laid hastily on top of the ramen. The next thing that catches the eye is a huge chunk of pork which looks over-glazed and distasteful.
Overall, the soy broth is overly meaty and salty. The noodles are thin in comparison to other ramen places, but are well cooked. Toppings include the typical two slices of pork, an egg, bamboo shoots, a chunk of pork cheek and fresh greens.
However, it is difficult to figure out what to do with an unproportional cut of meat in a sweet glaze which just leaves a vile taste in the mouth when mixed with the noodles and broth. The combination of all this does not seem thought-out, as many strong textures and flavors clash with one another, creating an unsatisfying bowl of ramen.
Although the food is subpar, customers are immersed in a peaceful and oddly-elegant space with clean-cut wooden trim on the light beige walls and a pleasing chalk handwritten appetizer menu above the waiting area.
The service is also good, with attentive waiters and the store manager constantly checking in to see how the diners are doing.
Even with these nice aspects that make the dining experience better, there is no getting around the fact that the ramen itself isn’t worth the money compared to other options.
