Dallas' first exclusive ramen restaurant, Tanoshii Ramen + Bar (2724 Commerce), will open next Tuesday, September 24, its owners have announced.
Joey and Chi Le also own Wicked Po'Boys in Richardson and in the Preston Center. Now they're turning their attention to house-made noodles and "late-night hot pots."
Chi refers to ramen as an art.
"The ramen chef and the one eating the bowl of ramen are the artists as every bowl is made differently and every bowl is eaten in each person's own special way," Chi says. "It is said that no two bowls of ramen are alike, which is all the more reason to eat as many as possible."
The menu is broken down into street ramen (tonkotsu, spicy miso, shoyu, curry and lemongrass chicken and dumplings) and soupless ramen with dipping noodles. There are izakaya style small plates (edamame, shishito peppers, roasted bone marrow), steamed buns, dumplings and finally a late night menu of buns and hot pots. The latter is a big pot of hot broth along with a tray of meats, vegetables, and the like, which are cooked at the table and added to the pot.
In March, Observer food critic Scott Reitz opined that a great wave of ramen was folding over Dallas. From staples like Kazy's, Sapporo Ramen and Sushi, and of course Tei-An, there are also a few untraditional outlets, like pop-up late night dinners at Ten Bells Tavern and Marc Cassel's bowls at 20 Feet Seafood Joint.
Tanoshii plans to stay open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays.
Side note: Late-night pho dealer Khanh Nguyen of DaLat, once told me that 2 a.m. drunks are great, but 3 a.m. drunks are awful. But now, with noodles, doughnut grilled-cheese sandwiches and ramen at their disposal, maybe 3 a.m. will keep better company.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday closed. Lunch hours will be added in October.
