Menya Ultra (Mira Mesa) Revisited

FOYs Mar and Sandy were curious about the visit to Menya in Mira Mesa that led Calvin and I to finally brave the crowds and visit Ramen Nagi in UTC. So here it is.

Calvin wanted to meet up for lunch and suggested Menya in Mira Mesa. Even though I last posted on Menya MM way back in 2019 in those days "BC", we had met up at this location a couple of times in the last year.

Both Calvin and I had noted that the tonkotsu ramen had been rather uneven at times and wanted to give a place another chance. Because of all the publicity, the Michelin mention, etc; Menya is quite popular. In fact, they've just opened in UTC, which makes I believe ramen shop #3 there! 

To get to the visit, we arrived 10 minutes before opening and put ourselves on the iPad "list". It really wasn't too bad on this day as we were the second party seated.

Of course I got the Ajitama Ramen ($15.95).

So, what was up with this bowl that led us to go "straight to Nagi" on our next ramen visit? Well, first the good. The noodles were cooked to a perfect al dente, with a nice stretch, slippery, and just right for slurping. The chashu was for some reason cold, but flavorful and "porky".

From there; like on previous visits, the tamago was ice cold and very salty. The broth was lukewarm in terms of temperature making it seem more greasy than rich. It was also strangely too salty.

This was quite sad because I had been quite a proponent of Menya, from being among the first 10 people in line on the first day they opened on February 25th, 2017, something I would usually never do. I did enjoy their ramen. But perhaps their success has gotten the better of them; after being called possibly the "best ramen in America" by a well known television food personality (though I still laugh because he called "tonkatsu ramen"), then being named as the city's 2017 Restaurant of the Year by Eater San Diego, and then of course being listed in the Michelin Guide. Perhaps sprouting two, now three other locations has diluted the quality? I'm not sure. But I am somewhat disappointed as the Ajitama Ramen at Menya just does not seem the same since reopening post-Covid.

So, while I am now enjoying Nagi, I will return to Menya in perhaps a few months, hoping to prove myself wrong. I hope I do......

Menya Ultra
8141 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

Comments

[Sandy]

Thanks for the explanation; what a bummer. I usually get the miso ramen, but I know I got the ajitama ramen the last time I was at Menya. I don't remember it having the issues you listed, so I hope that was a blip. I also wondered about whether more locations has made a difference. I still need to try Ramen Negi.

[Som Tommy]

Oh wow. My last visit to Menya was not either but I thought it was me

[kat]

cold egg or anything cold for that matter is definitely a no-no

[Kirk]

It seems that my last couple of visits to that location of Menya has been disappointing Sandy. Hopefully, the next time I visit, things will be as they used to be.

I don't think it was just you ST!

It happens quite often here Kat!

[RedDevil]

We’ve been to MU in MM twice and found it good both times but our soup and components were hot. Maybe they are inconsistent or maybe my standards are lower. We do try to go when they are busiest. Higher turnover usually helps at most places we go to although you have to wait. Anyway, thanks for the review and hope your next ramen is better.

[Kirk]

Maybe it's because we usually go right when they open RD?