I'd been trying to get the Missus to try Menya Ultra since they first opened in February 2017; but there was just something that made Her refuse to go....call it "spouse syndrome"....you know the drill; I say "black", She says "white", I go "it's too hot", no She says it's "too cold"...going up? Heck no, we're going down..... And the more I tried to convince Her, the more She dug Her heels in. Until She was feeling a bit tired recently....don't worry, it wasn't Covid-19. The weather had cooled off (before our last scorcher) and I knew She could use some nice, rich, tonkotsu broth. So, I got the "Tonkotsu to go" for the Missus. And She did love that broth; though, for some reason, She didn't care for the noodles....even though I did my usual drill...I thought it was decently firm; but of course She likes Her noodles "katame" (firm). Which gave me an idea......I know that "FOY" Jason mentioned really enjoying Menya's "Stay at Home Ramen Kit". I also noted that the noodles provided are fresh, not cooked. A few days later, the Missus wanted more ramen and I went and ordered the Tonkotsu Stay at Home Kit from Menya ($38).
Like before, the drill when you pick things up at Menya was smooth as silk.
As you can see; this comes with four ajitama, chashu, green onions, and wood ear mushroom.
It also comes with four servings of fresh thin noodles.
And some instructions; which I basically ignore.
I basically use the same approach which I noted here; with a couple of differences.
The tonkotsu broth is provided cold; I measured the first time I ordered and it comes to six cups. So, I portion out three cups and slowly simmer until scalding.
The noodles are fresh; so I boil for 90 seconds, before doing a quick rinse and drain.
I still heat the bowls and then use the heated noodle water to heat the bowls even more.
I also now heat the ajitama for 20 seconds in the microwave before serving in the hot broth.
And the noodles are perfect after a minute-and-a-half.
After trying this for the first time; we noted that there was no way we could finish 2 servings of noodles and the Missus really mainly loves that broth. So, I get two-thirds of the noodles, and the Missus gets two cups of the broth.....sometimes "spouse syndrome" works to our benefit!
And what about those leftover noodles? Well, I'll make either Sichuan Liang Mian, Sesame Cold Noodles, or some other noodles dish with them.....which works just fine since these noodles are better than anything you can get at the market.
As I'm sure everyone who enjoys eating in San Diego knows; restaurants can now open at 25% capacity. On my visit to Menya this week, I noticed they were open for dining in. I was not inspired by the set-up in the least....tell me; doesn't this look like perhaps a makeshift ER or Urgent Care......or gasp; even a Covid-19 Testing Tent?
I think I'll stick to takeout for a while longer. Especially when it can be something like this. The menma in this bowl I had in the fridge and didn't come with the kit.
Menya Ultra Ramen
8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
858-571-2010
Hours:
Daily 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm
From my experience they start doing takeout orders a half hour before opening
katame or barikata (super firm) is my favorite too
Posted by: kat | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 12:11 AM
Just like the Missus Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 05:51 AM
Glad you enjoyed it and got the Missus over the Menya "hump"!
Posted by: Jason | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 08:05 AM
Thanks again for the rec' Jason!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 09:46 AM
When getting takeout recently, I asked if I could get the noodles uncooked. They said there was an extra charge, so I stuck with the cooked noodles. It's a very generous portion of noodles! Haven't tried the take home kit yet.
Posted by: Sandy | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 10:24 AM
The uncooked noodles do make a difference Sandy. The amount of noodles in the take home kit is too much for two meals for us; so I just use the noodles for other dishes.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 12:38 PM
We've been making fresh ramen using similar storebought packets. My husband has even made homemade chashu and ajidama. It comes out pretty good but I felt like something's missing. Maybe it's tree ears!
Posted by: Pam from Santee | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 02:31 PM
I've always wanted to try the cook at home kit but 4 servings is way too much ramen for even me.
Posted by: Junichi | Wednesday, 02 September 2020 at 02:46 PM
Hi Pam - You might want to try wood ear, menma - my favorite - usually made from lacto-fermented bamboo shoots, or even blanched (moyashi) bean sprouts for added texture. In Hokkaido, they like corn (and butter!) on their Miso Ramen. Have fun!
I've found that the cook at home product will last 3-4 days if well refrigerated Junichi. Though I'm not sure you'd want to eat that for like 4 days in a row!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 03 September 2020 at 06:12 AM
Just had Menya sit-down for lunch today. They're super limiting seating so yelp check-in highly recommended. They started turning people away around 1pm. Ramen is just as good as I remember.
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 08 September 2020 at 01:54 PM
That great to know Junichi...for when I'm ready for dining in.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 08 September 2020 at 02:27 PM
I am ordering this to bring to a dinner party. Can you tell me what this is in the pic https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b81169e2026be40db737200d-pi ? I thought it was simmered down broth at first?
Posted by: Faye | Monday, 19 October 2020 at 09:59 AM
That's the tonkotsu broth when it's cold Faye. You can see all the collagen and fat coagulated. When you heat it up, I recommend scooping up all the broth you can and when it liquifies/warms up; pour some of it back into the container to get every drop out.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 19 October 2020 at 10:09 AM