When Ramen Nakamura re-opened last year after a months-long renovation, I didn’t have the urge to go back.

I had seen photos of the updated decor — and it just didn’t seem like the same hole-in-the-wall ramen shop in Waikiki I had grown to love.

But every time I would drive along Kalakaua Avenue — which is more often than you would expect — I think, “One of these days, I gotta go back.”

Well, this past Tuesday was one of those days.

I was craving a warm, comforting bowl of ramen. And since I had to be in Waikiki anyway, I thought it would be a good time to revisit one of my favorite places for the Japanese noodle dish.

Here’s what we ate:

Inside Ramen Nakamura

Image 1 of 9

Ramen Nakamura no longer has walls lined with autographed boards that I loved. Instead, the newly renovated space boasts a modern and chic decor on par with Kiwami Ramen and Goma Tei. It's nice — but it's not the same.