Who knew there'd be not one but two ramen joints opening in San Diego this year. 2012 has been good and we still have couple months left to spare so what are the chances that there will be a third? Don't know but while I've yet to do a more thorough post on Yamadaya SD (Update: Have since posted here) I've managed to drop by RakiRaki Ramen And Tsukemen this evening and wanted to share. This is a Quick Visit post, meaning - Single meal.., First impression.., Not a review.., Your experience may vary.., etc... Also need to mention on top that they are in soft opening at the moment. Currently only operating during dinner hours from 6PM but hear will be serving lunch eventually (sweet..) after their actual grand opening end of October.

So I noticed RakiRaki mentioned in the Japanese free publication Lighthouse SD in their '18 ramen in San Diego to try..' article and even received an email about the place (thanks Faye!). I was there earlier the day and had a chance to check out the temporary menu and shop info taped on their window. Supposedly owned by a Nagoya based food service group (and water ionization equipment producer) called Jyosui with a slew of restaurants under their belt. One of which is Riki Maru (力丸) where I noticed the large chochin paper lantern with its name but according is not related, at least directly.

The interior is done up really nice. Very modern and chic cafe like. The menu for the time being is fairly simple. A chicken based Shio Ramen in different richness and a tsukemen (also chicken based) available in different spice levels. A choice of pork or chicken Chashu, and several other ramen toppings, most your usual suspects except the oxtail. Karaage and fried rice. A couple rice bowls.

Well enough background, onto the ramen. I debated to try the tsukemen but went for the "Premium" (..ramen, $7.75) which is described to be richer than the "Original" ($7.25).

Pretty darn good. If the soup were any more cloudy it would maybe be in a light Tori Paitan category but this definitely remains a classic torigara shio. I really appreciated the subtle dried fish flavor (which my guess is bonito but could be niboshi or both). Noticeable enough for me to appreciate but I think subtle enough that it wouldn't be a turnoff for some sensitive to the marine flavor. The noodles are thinner-side medium straight, pale yellow in color and has decent resiliency. Halfway through I did have thoughts if it were ever so slightly salty but my final conclusion was that the namesake sodium flavoring was very rounded (unlike if msg) and a pleasant experience that I wouldn't change much. If anything I wouldn't mind a stronger wa-fu dashi dried fish flavor but that's how I am. As for richness, for me it was hovering only just above just right and not quite a Shio I would consider truly rich (like maybe the gyokai shio I had at Ramen Setagaya). Any case it easily hit the spot.

The chicken chashu was very tasty too, a tender thigh portion, well attended in trimming of fat and connective suji. Well flavored with light shoyu and sake/mirin notes. The menma bamboo shoots were also larger with a nice lightly marinated fresher crunch. Only bummer was the egg (not shown) which was hard boiled but some ramen shops just roll the way.
As I've been having a gradual year-long falling out with our Ramen Yakyudori (strictly for the ramen and will explain in a future rambling post) I've been wondering where I'd be getting my lighter assari-kei ramen fix in SD and RakiRaki couldn't have come in a better timing. I'll save the actual praising after I try the tsukemen though, but I am hoping that they'd be the first San Diego ramen shop that I can recommend to my out of town friends without a long laundry list of cautionary do's and don't's. :P

Last, I didn't mean to give a five-dollar tip today but was asking if I could have change for a five so that I can tip. But things like this can happen during soft openings. Nervous new servers, heck new everything. Wouldn't have bothered mentioning here except that I didn't want the management to think I was a dork hitting on the waitress!!? Haha. Anyway looking forward to be back. Plan to ask what the name is all about then.
RakiRaki Ramen And Tsukemen, 4646 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111