Red Light Ramen
| Address: | 1749 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA |
| Phone: | +1 414-837-5107 |
| Site: | redlightramen.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | Closed Closed 6PM–1AM 6PM–1AM 6PM–1AM 6PM–1AM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
MA
Maggie Berray
Experienced Red Light Ramen for the first time last night (December 3, 2016), and it was a mostly enjoyable experience. Plan on arriving right before 6 p. m., or shortly thereafter, because this place fills up VERY quickly, and they do not take reservations. As we found out, they also will not take down your phone number and give you a call when tables or bar seats become available, unlike many other places that give courtesy calls. Also, be aware that if no spaces are currently available in the restaurant, you are NOT allowed to stand inside; you must wait outside until space frees up. This is a very cozy, intimate space that seats approximately 23 - 25 people at the very most, and for the initial dinner rush, these seats go quickly. Sitting at the bar is recommended, as most of the tables are right near the door, and the winter drafts can become very uncomfortable quite fast. The menu is pretty small, but it boasts an interesting array of appetizers, a decent sake list, and modest beer, liquor, and non-alcoholic beverages lists. The oolong tea was particularly good - very light and fragrant, with no bitterness like some oolong teas can possess. There are only two types of ramen from which to choose - the standard tonkatsu with the pork belly, and the mushroom miso, which is the vegetarian option. Both are $13, which are average prices for ramen in Milwaukee. The tonkatsu ramen is pretty solid in both its presentation and its consistency. Portions are average in size; one bowl is enough for a decently hungry adult. The pork belly is incredibly soft and tender, with a rich and unctuous mouthfeel. Pickled greens and bamboo shoots add interesting sour notes. The hardboiled eggs are soft, creamy, and full of umami due to the fact they were cooked with soy sauce. A thin slice of fish cake, and some nori (seaweed) act as small and savory garnishes. The broth itself is highly flavorful, but not overly salty, with a great porky taste. There are numerous levels of flavor present in each sector of the bowl, but all combine for a hearty bowl of soup that will fill your stomach and keep you warm on the coldest of nights. Final verdict is 4 of 5 stars simply because of the inconvenience of not having staff take down phone numbers and issue courtesy calls, which is the equivalent of getting the pager/buzzer at other restaurants. While it would be nice to have other ramen options on the menu, the two that are currently available are well-constructed, and while I did not have the mushroom miso ramen, the tonkatsu was delicious and satisfying. Give this place a try if youre on the East Side!
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Stacie Domingo
I came here once before they started the check in system. My sister checked us in and the guy said the wait was 35 minutes. So we went back to the car to warm up. We came back 15 minutes later and waited outside for our names to be called. We were waiting for a while so I checked with the guy and asked how much more do we have to wait. He said that he called us a long time ago and gave the seat to the next person on the list. I told him we only left for 15 mintues and the whole time we didnt hear our names. He tells me he didnt tell us to leave like it was our fault. We only left for 15 minutes to warm up in car cause he said the wait is 35 minutes. He then asked us to be put back on the end of the list. I had enough of it and told him never mind we are leaving. My sister like this place a lot that she suggest this place to eat when i get the chance to visit her. I like their food here but Im not a fan of their service. I rather have them go back to the line system than the check in.
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pablo gutierrez
To be clear this review is not about the food. I have been here before when it was 11:30 Ramen and the food was great. I went to check out the new location that now opens at 6:00 starting Wednesdays. Told someone I wanted seating for 1 and he said about half hour. Asked if I can just come back in half hour and he said that they will just call put the name and if Im not there they go down the list. Fair enough. Went outside to wait, saw a man come out from the bar area. Waited for them to call me but a couple minutes later someone wandered in and sat down at the bar. Maybe he assumed I wanted a table for 1? Either way horrible experience.
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Wesam Abdallah
I wanted to like this place, but the food was just OK and their business model wonky for a ramen shop. Nothing to really write home about in terms of the ramen, and not worth repeating. What I REALLY dislike however is having the word ramen in your restaurant name and then offering what are essentially two choices on the menu. To a lesser extent, opening at 6:00 p.m. when ramen is typically thought to be a lunch fast-food is also super obnoxious. I had high hopes, but this concept was a total let down. Yokohama is opening soon, and from the looks of the menu, it looks to be a more proper ramen shop. The search continues.
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Kevin Cheung
I go to try this Japanese Ramen restaurant because the high rating in Yelp. However, I find that it is not in that way. That is not what I know about Japanese Ramen. I have no idea why the Nori got pickled and the Ajitsuje Tomago(Ramen egg) was too salty. I try to tell the waiter he egg was too salty after the bill and he replied me that it is salty because the ramen egg is pickled with soy sauce. However, I can tell you that the ramen egg should be with soy sauce and MIRIN and I cannot taste any mirin at all but just salty. This is not real Japanese taste ramen.
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Andrea Schmidt
We were told it was a 30 minute wait. We ended up waiting outside, in the cold for an HOUR AND 15 MINUTES! The menu is very small. Our appetizer was not very good. The top half was room temperature and the bottom half was cold. There were chunks of salt in it. The main dish and drinks were overpriced for the quality. I couldnt even eat my main dish as it had so much salt in it and nothing tasted fresh. If I could give 0 stars, I would. Worst experience ever.
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Dimitrios G Tsioutsiopoulos
Ive been here a few times with friends, and every time the food, drinks, and atmosphere have been consistently excellent. Its clear they use the highest quality broths and recipes for their ramen. The restaurant itself is extremely quaint and "hole-in-the-wall", but thats perfect for the market theyre targeting. If youre looking for a place that will never let you eat instant-ramen again, this is the one.
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Erin Heinz
This place is very small and cozy and has a modern Japanese atmosphere. Although it is a small place, the service was phenomenal. It is difficult to express how amazing their ramen is. Their mushroom ramen had three different kinds of mushroom in it, and the best part is that it was made with mushroom broth. So its vegetarian friendly! I cant wait to go here again.
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Ron Johnson
Super small, and super busy, this place is a must if you like ramen. Very small menu here because they focus on doing one thing really well, and they hit it out of the park. Its a hidden gem easily missed if you dont look for it. Be prepared to wait as there is often a line, but my wife and I have always found it well worth it.
