So here's more Ramen; one by request (Ototo) and the other because of a sign I saw.
Ototo:
I guess it was inevitable based on the discussion in the comments of this post. A couple of folks asked me what I thought of the ramen here...including Taka-san at Taisho. You know I'm not a "rolls" kind of guy, so otherwise, this second restaurant from the owner of Sushi-ya really wouldn't interest me.
Strangely, I always end up calling the place "Otot", which I'm sure my friend and fellow food blogger "CC" will get a kick out of. BTW, Happy 9th Blogga-versery CC!
The shop is located next to Mr Fish and Chips in the Balboa Mesa Shopping Center.
The décor is simple, but modern, with an area of stool and bar type tables, which I thought was kind of neat.
The menu features 3 types of ramen; a red (miso) based, a white tonkotsu, and a chicken based version. I went with the Shio White Tonkotsu. The young lady and gentleman serving me were quite nice, but on the slow side. I watched my ramen come up and stay in the window while they gathered themselves to do...well, I don't know.
Eventually, the ramen made it's way, first to another, then finally my table.
My first reaction was, "is this tonkotsu"? Where was a the nice milky richness. The broth had a yellowish tone and even smelled somewhat "chicken-ny". It had a decent amount of oil, but was still not very rich. I'm wondering what kind of salt they use, or perhaps it's a bagged base, because it tasted kind of bitter to me. The boiled egg was quite good, the chashu, hard, cold, flavorless. The noodles were mushy and overcooked....perhaps it had waited a bit too long to reach my table?
In my opinion, overpriced at $9.50. I'll take a pass on this.....
Ototo Sushi Co
5651 Balboa Ave
San Diego, CA 92111
Oton:
I saw a flier that mentioned Oton was serving Tonkotsu style ramen for lunch. So I thought I'd go and check them out.
A small, by the book salad accompanied the ramen.
Which when it arrived looked totally like it came from the Tonkotsu 101 manual. But let us first spend a moment admiring that lovely orb of goodness, the egg. This may be the best ajitsuke tamago in terms of cooking time and prep in San Diego. The noodles were also a perfect texture for me.......mass produced, but prepared well.
The broth was very white, but also too thin, and almost fully defatted which took away from the "coat your tongue" feeling you get from a good tonkotsu. The flavor was also mild, but passable. The chashu was cold, hard, though it had decent flavor. What's up with serving a solid piece of ice cold pork?
Not bad, but I'd rather go several other places before coming here for the ramen.
Oton
5447 Kearny Villa Road
San Diego, CA 92123
So where do I think these rank in the now crowded world of ramen in San Diego? Well, Otot, umm Ototo is definitely second tier. Oton, is higher second tier, perhaps along the lines Ouan, or maybe even better.
I've heard about Ototo but haven't had a chance to visit yet. I've noticed a few restaurants, that never previously served ramen, all of a sudden start offering ramen on the menu. Your Tonkotsu 101 manual comment says it best. These cookie cutter ramen places have tough competition especially in this neck of the woods.
Posted by: Faye | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 08:42 AM
Sometimes I like eating cold hard chashu in the middle of the night when I'm watching a movie and need a quick snack...
Posted by: Soo H | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 08:55 AM
Hi Faye - Everyone's trying to get a piece of the pie.
But do you want it in a bowl of hot ramen that you just paid almost 10 bucks for Soo?
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 09:03 AM
Thanks for the post, I agree that both look like "broth from a box" type of ramen restaurants, seems like most sushi places that also serve ramen fall into this category.
Posted by: Jason | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 09:47 AM
I tired Ototo's ramen when they first opened. It was pretty bad and haven't returned since. Looking at your review it looks like it's still the same. I'll stay away.
Posted by: Junichi | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 11:35 AM
Thanks Kirk! I did notice that OTOTO (haha Otot) signage. they should be teamed up with Kiki sushi. What is it with naming these sushi places with Filipino bad words...
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 02:22 PM
Hi Jason - Quite true about all those sushi places now doing sushi.
Hi Junichi - I agree, it's not very good, especially for the price.
LOL CC! and mariscos trucks, right?
http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2012/04/mariscos-y-tacos-el-kiki-truck.html
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 March 2015 at 05:33 PM
:(
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 07:06 AM
Yes....yet again Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 08:00 AM
You are wise Kirk. A late night snack is the only time I like my chashu cold.
Posted by: Soo H | Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 09:11 AM
Not so much Soo! But thanks!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 12:44 PM
At quick glance, i never would have thought that was a tonkatsu broth. The egg from Oton looks awesome.
Posted by: jack | Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 11:28 AM
It was quite strange Jack......totally not tonkotsu broth for me. That egg is probably the best of its kind in SD...the rest, well, not so much.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 26 March 2015 at 05:39 PM