In the Rolling Meadows shopping center on Cottage Grove Road there is a handful of restaurants both in the chain and independent, but in the literal and metaphorical center there is Zen Ramen. To borrow a shopping center’s terminology, it is an anchor of this unusual culinary court, like Sears, but with Edamame instead of snow.
Zen Ramen was opened in January 2024 in the space previously occupied by the sushi place (previously a cafe focused on vegetaries and Piekarnia). Over the past 15 years, Ramen places have become as common as other types of restaurants in Madison, but you did not reject Zen Ramen as another place ramen, consider the extraordinary Yuzu Ramen in the restaurant.
Sure, you can get a tonot broth (pork), probably the most eminent ramen in the United States, but why not live a little? In yuzu ramen pork broth is fired with the flavor of citrus citrus fruit yuzu. I thought I could get tired of the end of the bowl, but I never did it. Cool. On the dish there are roasted pork, as well as bamboo shoots, side choy, fish cake, shoyu egg, corn and green onion.
Another unusual broth is a special Chef Special Paitan chicken. This chicken broth is to be creamy and cozy, but not supplied; It was vivid and almost tasteless. I would say that it was a mistake, except for the photo on Instagram Zen Ramen.
The Ramen Duo option is also fun: the divided Yin-Yang bowl allows for two smaller portions of tonkatsu and paitan bases.
Cozy is well served by the ramen adept implementation of Japanese curry. It is not intense, fiery Indian or Thai curry, but a hot bland thickened sauce (and slightly sweetened) with coconut milk. This is a natural couple for chicken or pork of katsu, rebellious and crunchy eminent cutlets, for which I am often looking for while eating in a food court on the Mitsuwa market, a Japanese food chain with a location in northern Illinois. In any case, the chicken Zen Ramen Katsu hits Bullseye.
Katsu pork sticks similarly; I liked it next to curry zen ramen and omurice – a blanket with gently boiled eggs on white rice. Although not a dramatic presentation “a lattice egg with a brown half -bar” that you can know from social media or food television, this is still a gentle preparation with caution. Like the Ramen duo, Omurice is currently special; I hope it will stay nearby.
Chaahan Fried Rice is a slightly experienced version of Chinese Chinese rice rice that you may be more familiar. This is exactly the sum of its part, which is what you want if you want a nice, unquestionable plate of fried rice. Mine came with pieces of beef much more fragile than I expect from most frying preparations.
I liked the basic, but zingy miso soup and aromatic kakuni (Japanese pork stomach) Bao Bun generously gave three orders. Individually they were a bit scanty, and all the things were even, I chose more meat in two rolls. But aside, the parts have a massive impact on Zen Ramen; I will come back for a robust, smoky tangle of yaki Udon, with a velvety sauce and pleasantly charred vegetables. The menu also includes Teriyaki, Tempura and Donburi (rice bowls), as well as some soups and salads.
Among Shumai starters with shrimps they are not a robust point of the kitchen; They were rubber and flat. Chicken karaaga is much better to nibble, even if two separate orders of this respected popcorn ancestor came to barely above the room temperature.
Zen Ramen is successful while maintaining straight. You can barely see the spice in the dining room, although solid spice work rarely requires any. However, I wouldn’t have anything against soy sauce or furikake shaker. And when the weather warms up, I will try the Bob drink menu. However, for slow winter warming, the undeniably comfort of Zen Ramen is worth placid contemplation.
There was ramen
4674 Cottage Grove Road, Madison
608-230-5504
11.00-19.00 Mon.-Thurs., 11–21: 30 Fri, Noon-21 PM SUN.
$ 5–27
