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Sazan is a ramen shop that should be on the radar of everyone with even a passing interest in noodles, broth, or Japanese whiskey. And if you’re into all three? Well, there are some apartments nearby you might want to consider. The specialty here is paitan ramen—a rich and creamy broth made from boiling bones for a long period of time–but unlike most other spots in town that use exclusively pork bones (tonkotsu), Sazan uses a mix of chicken and pork. The end result is a broth that’s just a little bit lighter (but no less satisfying) than its popular cousin. Go with the original paitan, and you’ll even notice a garnish of fresh arugula that packs a subtle peppery punch into the creamy broth. But as much as we love their original, the spicy and black garlic versions here might be our favorites. They also make a really great vegan bowl of ramen, complete with a massive ball of tempura fried veggies on top.
There’s a full bar with Japanese-inspired cocktails—from classic highballs, to a green tea-ni (with Japanese whiskey, green tea syrup, and shochu)—plus a collection of Japanese whiskeys impressive enough to satisfy whiskey nerds and first-timers alike. Between the well-stocked bar and the minimalist, zen-like dining room, it’s easy to forget you’re in a strip mall between a Japanese dollar store and a large Asian supermarket chain. At least until you look outside to see people walking through the parking lot with bottles of ramune and fun snacks they picked up next door. If anything, it just means that it’s that much more convenient to get a great bowl of ramen at any time.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Raphael Brion
Paitan Ramen
photo credit: Raphael Brion
Spicy Paitan Ramen
Just Like Paitan
photo credit: Raphael Brion
Indomitable Chicken Wings