Steve's - Richmond

--- **Title: A Ramen Gem in Richmond – Tenka Ramen** Legend has it that a great ramen master only emerges once every century, climbing from the ranks of ordinary noodle chefs, serving one perfect bowl of ramen at a time in an endless pursuit of excellence. Okay, maybe that's just a myth, but Tenka Ramen is certainly the real deal. During my time living in Japan, I indulged in ramen at least once a week, and when Chef Ted Nogami hosted his pop-up Sunday Lunch Ramen specials at Kabuto in West Broad, my fiancée and I managed to go 20 out of 22 weeks, only missing a couple times due to illness. So, we were well-prepared for Tenka's opening night. What sets Tenka apart from other ramen spots in Richmond is its focus on varied flavors instead of a heavily salted broth. They offer six broth styles: their signature Tenka (pork bone), Miso, Spicy, Veggie, Shio (sea salt), and Shoyu (soy sauce). If you’re accustomed to the saltiness of Shoryuken’s ramen, you might be surprised by Tenka. **Food:** On opening night, we both chose the Shio ramen. The noodles were perfectly cooked, the ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled eggs) were outstanding, the pork was tender and flavorful, and the broth was delicious. I’m glad my fiancée doesn’t enjoy eggs because I always get hers! I also tried the pork buns, while my fiancée had the edamame; she loved them, and I found the pork buns quite satisfying. To me, the noodles and eggs were the highlights. I visited again for lunch with a coworker and sampled more from the menu, including aji fry (fried Japanese horse mackerel) and takoyaki (octopus dumplings). Both were delicious, and I can definitely see myself ordering them again. For ramen, I chose my all-time favorite, the spicy ramen, and it did not disappoint. The spicy ramen features spicy red pepper flakes and a spicy paste you mix in to elevate the broth. It’s just spicy enough to be called spicy, without overwhelming your taste buds. Even though the pork is the same, it paired incredibly well with the spicy broth. Overall, I love it, and I’m confident that as I try more dishes from the menu, Tenka will quickly become my favorite. Aside from ramen and appetizers, the menu includes a few rice dishes like Chashu Donburi (pork rice bowl) and Curry Rice (Japanese-style curried rice with breaded pork cutlets). I’ve been on a curry kick lately and have attempted to make some at home (with moderate success), so I'm excited to try Tenka's version. I plan to sample everything on the menu eventually, but so far, everything has been delicious. **Cost:** A bowl of ramen is about $10, appetizers range from $3 to $5, and rice dishes are around $9. It's quite affordable for the area, and the portions are generous. **Service:** We experienced a few minor hiccups during lunch, but the staff was cheerful and created a friendly, inviting atmosphere. Chef and owner Ted Nogami is a fantastic guy whom I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with a few times. He moved from Kyoto and has successfully opened several restaurants in Virginia. I was a frequent visitor at his Sunday pop-up, where he sometimes let me try exclusive spicy ramen variations—those were fun! You can tell he is genuinely passionate about his cooking, and I believe the best chefs are those who love what they do. He even came over to check on us during lunch today and apologized for some minor disarray, explaining they were still training staff to meet his standards. I didn’t encounter any issues, though; he was sincere in his approach, making him a truly great guy. **Atmosphere:** I hadn’t visited the venue before Tenka opened, but the newly remodeled decor is simple yet inviting, featuring metal panels, booths, and tables. There are also a couple of bar areas (one for drinks and another for groups), and the ambiance is reminiscent of what you’d find in Japan. It’s very comfortable, and if you visit during off-peak hours, it's a great spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch. **Overall:** I adore Tenka, and since I work only ten minutes away, it will undoubtedly become a regular part of my lunch routine. I may have some bias stemming from my previous enjoyable experiences with the owner, but I genuinely loved both meals I’ve had at Tenka and look forward to many more. Make sure to check it out! Gochisousama deshita!

This is a fantastic restaurant, and I've been searching for an authentic ramen shop. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, especially since I'm used to pho restaurants. I highly recommend it!