Santouka

I read about another ramen place in the south bay--Santouka, a franchise from Japan. They have locations all over the world but this one is located at the Mitsuwa store at 675 Saratoga Ave in San Jose. It's the first one on the left as you enter the store. The other restaurant serves curries and other traditional Japanese dishes.

Santouka opens at 11 am. We got there at 10:45 and within minutes, there was a huge line about 20 deep. They take cash only. Place your order and take your receipt. Find a place to sit and wait until your order is called. It takes about 5-10 minutes to get your order.

Toroniku (special pork) salt flavor ramen served with bamboo shoots, wood ear, small slice of fish cake, green onions (which i leave out) and a pickled plum. The small is $10.99, regular $11.99 and large $12.99. My parents shared the large and the rice with pork and couldn't finish it. The regular size was perfect for me. The pork is special because it is the cheek and it was so tender. This was definitely some of the best pork I have had in ramen. The ramen itself was served al dente but I've had better at Orenchi. I've also had better broth. 

Rice with Pork--$3.49. Soy braised pork over white rice. Order a bowl of ramen and a bowl of rice. Ask for a soy braised egg for free.

2014 08 23