I know of quite a few people who had been waiting for Menya Ultra to open in Mira Mesa. So when Eater annouced the soft opening, then grand opening schedule; I just figured it was going to be nothing like being able to sneak into Menya on their first day of business on Clairemont Mesa; since Menya had made a name for itself. Still, with several meetings cancelled; I found myself with some time and a bit of freedom on my hands. So, I decided to head up to Mira Mesa, I take a quick peek to see what the line was like. I arrived at 10 till 11 and things weren't bad at all.
Instead of a sign in sheet; this location uses an iPad and you get a text right before your table is ready.
The capacity of this location seats about 50; so even with the staggered seating, I was in by 1110. Funny thing; they sat all the parties for two at the counter and single customers at the two-top....which probably made sense since it was a pretty tiny two top.
I knew what I wanted by the time I hit my seat and it took me thirty seconds to fill out my order. The young lady who was working the seating and seemed to be managing the front of house; I believe her name is Maia is amazing. As soon as she saw I had my order filled out, she walked over, smiled and said, "that's fast". I told her that I'd been "trained well" eating the Clairemont location. She cracked up.
I think they had a bunch of stuff already going as my Chicken Karaage got to me in less than five minutes.
This wasn't bad; moist, but on the chewy side. There's some nice savory tones going on; but it's not nearly as good as Ramen Menma - Basso Drillman; which while on the salty side, was much more crisp and even more juicy than this. Like I said, not as crisp as I enjoy, but a passable version.
Of course I got the Ajitama Ramen with extra ajitama.
This was a darn good bowl; better than what I'd had at the Clairemont location during my last couple of visits. Rich, but not greasy, not too salty, nice belly and tongue coating, collagen filled goodness. The noodles were good, chewy and al dente, but nice and slippery, as expected.
The ajitama looked really good; the orange yolks glistening, but much like Kirbie's visit (Please check it out here), this was much saltier than I'd had in the past. The eggs were also too cold.
Still, I don't think you can get a better version of tonkotsu ramen in San Diego. And maybe it'll be easier for you to get a seat at the Clairemont location.
Menya Ultra
8141 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126
Hours:
Tues - Sat 11am 2pm, 530pm - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm
That's re assuring to hear you didn't have to wait terribly long to get seated. I read people saying they waited 2+ hours. Hoping to visit this location soon.
Posted by: Faye | Thursday, 01 November 2018 at 09:31 AM
Exciting for us Mira Mesans (well, ex pat Mira Mesan anyway).
Posted by: Janfrederick | Thursday, 01 November 2018 at 09:43 AM
I think it all depends on day and timing Faye! Good Luck!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 01 November 2018 at 09:43 AM
The owner was probably there running the kitchen during soft opening. That would explain the good bowl of ramen.
Posted by: Junichi | Thursday, 01 November 2018 at 09:56 AM
I'm glad you're excited even though you're an Ex-pat Mira-Mesan, Jan!
Actually this was after the soft opening Junichi - it was this week.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 01 November 2018 at 10:09 AM
what’s up with the cold eggs?!
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 01 November 2018 at 10:13 PM
It's a problem at a lot of places Kat.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 02 November 2018 at 06:51 AM
Good looking chicken karage!
Posted by: soo @ hungryones.com | Friday, 02 November 2018 at 09:35 AM
It was pretty good Soo!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 02 November 2018 at 12:53 PM
I hope to get in soon especially since it is local to me. I could just drive home if I wanted. I wonder how the other ramen place opening across the street will be...
Posted by: Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy | Saturday, 03 November 2018 at 08:30 PM
Hope you get a chance to check them out soon Lynn. As for Isshigo....well, that's going to be interesting.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 04 November 2018 at 07:43 AM
We made it this past Sunday. Although the corn was a bit cold, the broth and noodles were great. Oh, we were told 1:45 wait at a little past opening. We did errands, took turns on point, and watched our number approaching. When we were getting close we asked about the wait and the server said he'd called us an hour earlier! We got sat right after that, and we were anticipating a long wait, so no biggie.
Posted by: Janfrederick | Tuesday, 06 November 2018 at 01:35 PM
Glad you got to check them out Jan!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 06 November 2018 at 01:45 PM