I’m obsessed with ramen.
I could literally eat a bowl of hot noodles every week. And if I find a great ramen shop (that’s convenient and has parking) like Kiwami Ramen on Keeaumoku Street, I have going back and ordering the same exact thing.
Ask my friends.
So when I heard yet another ramen shop had opened up, this time in Moiliili, I had to find a way to stop going to Kiwami for once and try the new place.
So I did.
This week my girlfriend and I dine at Agu Ramen, one of the newest ramen shops to open on Oahu in the last few months. It specializes in tonkotsu ramen — the broth is made using simmered pork bones — like the style I had in Fukuoka. The noodles are thinner, too, and the broth is rich and thick — just like it was in Kyushu. It took me back.
So here’s what we ate:
20 Comments
Hi Cat, I do like the Hakata/Marutai ramen with the thin, straight noodles. I also like the “kaedama” system in which you can get a refill noodle for like a buck. I wonder if anyone does that here in the U.S. Looking at the name of this shop, “agu” is an Okinawa pork. I’m wondering if the owner is from Okinawa. Mahalos for the great pics. Them gyozas do look ono!
I don’t know if the owner is from Okinawa — but next time I’ll ask! The broth might be disappointing to customers who are hoping for a really thick, rich flavor…
If the owner is from Okinawa, he might even have great rafute (pronounced rough-tay) and tebichi which are boneless pork rib and pig feet, respectively. I love the way Okinawans make their pig feet. My mom (who is NOT from Okinawa) used to make it when kid time. Every time I have one of them, it really brings me back to my childhood. Amazing how one food can do that, yeah?
Hi Cat! Yup, another hit for my stomach. Heading over this weekend. Mahalo!
Great! Tell us what you think!
Fantastic! Thanks for the tip! I’ll be going again this weekend!
Hello Cat!
If it’s like the Fukuoka Hakata ramen like you say, I got to go eat some!
Well, NOTHING can beat eating tonkotsu ramen at a yatai in Hakata City! But it’s close enough!
I hear you Cat, the tonkatsu ramen at the Mami-chan yatai in Fukuoka was so guud!
Cat, if you are ever in Fukuoka again, please go try the yatais in the Tenjin area. The ones in Nakasu (by the canal) are really famous but unfortunately have become a real tourist trap. The ones in Tenjin are the ones the locals eat at. Tenjin is only one or two subway stops from Hakata Station on the airport line. Also those yatais are famous for their sweet bean paste covered mochi rice balls called “ohagi”. Did you get a chance to have one of those at Nakasu?
CAT: I tuu like the thinner nuudles, I guess because they tend to transport the broth better to the palate. I found their broth a bit too light for my tastes. Kiwami has a very robust broth base. Santoku broth is light and very tasty to me. Kai falls somewhere in this mix among the newer places. Are going to do a ramen tasting challenge as in previous years?
Yep, lighter than Kiwami. (I’m still a die-hard Kiwami Ramen fan!) But I do love the thin noodles.
I gotta try Hokkaido Ramen Santouka… I heard it’s better…
CAT: Sorry, I forgot….Aaaiiiyyyaaahhh! Fuud Pix! Tenks!
LOL!
I’ve tried Kiwami, Santoku, and the new one by Ala Moana Center(Hokkaido…). I haven’t tried Agu yet. I gotta admit they’re all great and I have a hard time picking the BEST!
I’m such a loyal fan of Goma Ichi, though. I will keep going back again and again for their Nagoya style ramen. As someone said, “so many ramen places and so little time”.
That looks awesome!
Oooooooh, I saw Kiwami when I was driving to Walmart, and wondered why the name sounded familiar! I’ll have to fit them into our schedule before we leave the Ala Moana in 3 days. Hitting Rainbow for shoyu chicken again is my priority! Thanks Cat!
Hi Cat!
This is the Ken who was sitting next to your table tonight!
I posted earlier today that I was going to hit Kiwami and Rainbow.
My mother-in-law liked Rainbow, but wasn’t a Kiwami fan.
We are visiting from SoCal. I thought about asking for a photo of you with my family, but I didn’t want to interrupt your dinner!
Thanks for saying hi! I’m glad your MIL liked Rainbow’s — but too bad about Kiwami. Oh, well, it’s not for everyone! And you shoulda asked! No be shame! I don’t bite — especially if I have food in front of me. LOL
Darn……I should have asked for the photo! I was doing the “Asian thing” and not wanting to impose on a celebrity! Meeting the one and only “Cat” was a trip highlight! We are heading back to LA tomorrow, but had a great lunch at the He’eia Pier General Store today, which my local friends introduced me to. That was good Fuud!
BTW I’m the same Ken that posted that you were 5 blocks away from my house when you went to the Arcadia Din Tai Fung and I told you about Frances Hashimoto’s passing.