Kokoro Ramen Bar: Say ‘it’s just soup.’ I double-dog dare you.

A love letter to those who think ramen is “just noodle soup”,

This is not your mammy’s soup. Nor is it that sadness-in-a-can you bought from Tesco. If you think all noodle soups are created equal then this is belated news for you. This ramen bar tucked away behind the Kokoro Bento shop on South William’s street serves up chewy, textured, house made noodles in a broth of liquid flavour along with goodies like crispy fried onions; marinated and braised meats; soft-boiled eggs cooked in broth and spice until they burst with flavor; nori seaweed; black garlic oil- You get the picture.

What to order

Yaki Niku Pork: Pure pork-y goodness in a bowl. This is an extremely rich dish of shredded pork shoulder, yaki niku sauce, a variety of greens, fried onions topped off with a fried egg. It’s savory, on top of savory, covered in savory. Almost enough to make a grown man cry. In public. In a ramen house. Perhaps best shared with a friend if you’re a light eater.

Tonkotsu butter miso (pictured above): The balanced alternative. While this dish is also garnished with savory pork chashu (meat marinated and braised until it melts in your mouth), the pork flavor plays in harmony with a lighter miso butter broth, nori seaweed, seasoned egg, greens and sprouts.

What not to order

Salmon Miso salmon: By comparison this dish lacked the same depth of flavor I associate with the Kokoro Ramen Bar. The broth, light in flavor and body. The salmon, mostly just salmon. I found it similar in flavor to what most people can cook for themselves at home despite it being advertised as sushi grade. Garnishes of fresh spinach and corn also lack any meaningful preparation giving a final impression of a dish that is more ‘assembled’ than ‘cooked.’

Where to find them

Behind the Kokoro bento
51 William St.
Dublin 2

Where to find me

Had a different experience? Think I’m full of shit? Tweet me so at @DishDublin.