Menkoi Ramen House - Columbia
| Address: | 1004 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA |
| Phone: | +1 803-708-1569 |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM 11AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
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Rachel Whelan
After hearing people rave about Menkoi, I placed a take-away order for the vegetable noodle, non-meat broth, no pork added, and a salmon onigiri. The turn-around was incredibly fast, but I wasnt hugely impressed with the food. The onigiri was pretty lacking on salmon (about a teaspoon, if that, of salmon per 1/2 cup of rice), there was no boiled egg in my soup (which really adds an unctuousness), and, to be honest, the broth didnt taste...right. "Thats because you ordered the no-meat broth!" you may say. True. But even a vegetarian broth can be flavored intensely with aromatics: anise, cassia, shoyu, miso, chilis. This broth felt slimy, not in a sesame oil way, but in a starchy, dense, unhealthy way. When it comes down to it, the broth also didnt really taste vegetarian; it had a very beefy flavor and smell that made finishing the noodles impossible. Im torn. Columbia needs more restaurants like Menkoi, restaurants that specialize and perfect their craft. Places like Ippudo NY (which is amazing everyone should go there) or Momofuku. Customers should be compelled to support them with repeat visits. But for all the hype I heard for Menkoi, I dont feel obligated to return.
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Chase Daigle
Hit or miss sometimes but when the noodles are good the miso ramen or spicy ramen is great. My fiancée enjoys the curry. They charge for water, 50 cents which yeah its just 50 cents but its ridiculous. Can some explain to me in what way a styrofoam cup and tap water can cost 50 cents, no because that is rhetorical its despicable to charge for water. Quite a few places do it in the area but they are 10 cents IF they bother to charge you because they know its water and a maybe 1 cent cup. They also refused to stamp our card for the curry which is the same exact price as the ramen which they stamp for but my fiancée has celiac and therefore cannot eat the ramen. I believe this type of discrimination is actually illegal and as regular customers its pretty terrible business practice otherwise. I asked the cashier to explain to me why their was a difference and her answer was that the curry was cheaper to make than the ramen... SMH... So you wont give us rewards on your very stingy frequent visit program because the food is the same price yet cheaper to make?! Like the 50 cent water this too is something I just cant understand from a business perspective.
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Matt Tenenbaum
While maybe not the most auspicious restaurant in Columbia, Menkoi is a charming little ramen house that serves the real deal. Not even close to the cheap college ramen that holds us students in a state of barely alive, theirs is something that warms both the body and soul while not breaking the bank. They have several varieties of ramen, ranging from the classic miso ramen to the creamy spicy ramen. If you ask they can even accommodate vegetarians in both broth and soup contents. To sweeten the deal they even have onigiri (rice balls), beef curry, and inari (tofu wrapped rice) if you dont want the ramen. For an even more awesome experience you can try their assortment of Japanese soft drinks like Ramune or Calpico. Between all these things and wonderful service as icing on the cake, Im there every week without fail.
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Thomas Kemp
Ordered some pot-stickers or something similar. I took a bite and they are cold on the inside. So the server takes it back and puts it in the microwave. You would think she would bring a new fresh order. Nope, she was slack as hell. Then my wife tells me she saw her heat them up before she even brought them out and was feeling sorry for whomever ordered them. (she didnt hear me order it) Ramen was okay nothing I would go back for. Be aware they have no F**** to give about their customers. Overall the staff doesnt look happy to be there and their attitudes are not good at all!
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Patrick Magee
Ive been eating here for a year and a half and always loved their food. #6 chicken ramen was my favorite. Normally I eat here once a month. For the past 3 months it seems like theyve reduced the amount of ramen they put in their food significantly. It feels like three bites of noodles with a bowl full of broth. If thats ok with you for the price they are charging, then by all means try the place out. For me, it used to be a lot better and Ill just wait to find another Ramen place in Columbia
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Sarah Mertz
Since moving to Columbia a little over a year ago, this place has been consistently our familys favorite place to go for lunch or dinner. High quality ingredients, theyll customize your order to your taste (no fish cake please and extra veggies!) And I like how they will give your child their own little bowl so you can spoon share some of your soup with them. I like to get onigiri with pickled plum as an appetizer, yum!!
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Miranda Organa
Found this place while out of town at a convention and it is simply amazing!! Now every time we go to Columbia for work this is where we stop in for some awesome food! The chicken and spicy ramen is amazing, the best I have ever had and the rice balls are so yummy! The employees are super nice and the service is A+++. Will be stopping by every time we are in Columbia, and will keep bringing friends with us to eat there.
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Tim Pieper
I lived in Japan for 3 years and developed an obsession for all the culinary wonder that exists there. Now I live in South Carolina and thought Id never have traditional Ramen again until I found Menkoi. Thier selection is perfect and each option is as close as one can get to eating at the typical Ramen shop in Tokyo. To top it off the service and atmoshere is of the same high caliber as the food.
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Drew Bridges
My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this place at about 1am. On a whim we went inside and ordered a bowl of the spicy ramen. It was the best ramen either of us had ever eaten. The additional spices on the table were excellent as well. Overall a great experience from the short wait time to the beautiful bowl of ramen and the wonderful atmosphere. Ill be bringing friends back here for sure.
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Kenny
I used to always get orders of ramen from 256togo, but i decided to actually visit Menkoi for the first time the other day and everything was awesome! The staff was super friendly and polite,even when they were busy. The spicy pork ramen was delicious and came with everything you would expect from authentic ramen and the price was only around $8. Great service, atmosphere and food. 5/5
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Kayla Johnson
Its become a tradition for a co-worker of mine and I to go here every Saturday night. Not only do they keep late hours on Friday and Saturday (which is awesome), but their food is amazing. Ive told all my friends about this place and theyre in love with it. I always either get the vegetable ramen, salmon onigiri, or the gyoza. One of the best hidden gems of Columbia.
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Samuel Thomas
I crave ramen regularly, and this place scratches my itch! Love the tonkotusu ramen--salty and meaty without being too fatty. The egg is not the best one Ive ever had, though. The atmosphere is no frills, but thats the way I like it. Pro tip like Jennifer mentions: Get the stamp card! For a frequent flier like me, Im going to earn a couple!
