We Need to Talk about Ramen Talk
Cultural cuisine in Williamsburg is limited, so when a new Asian restaurant popped up, foodie Arianna Stewart ’24 had to try it. Continue reading to learn how it compares to other Asian restaurants in the area.
ZACHARY LUTZKY // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE
Being a student at the College of William and Mary means you’ve probably gone on a ghost tour, visited Busch Gardens, or explored Colonial Williamsburg. Entertainment here is fairly limited beyond that, and I often get bored and restless with the swamp life. I have begun to rely on trying new foods as a way to pass the time. Now, let’s be honest, the cultural cuisine in Williamsburg is ... lacking. To all my NoVa friends: I just know you’re missing the Asian food back home. I’m constantly on the lookout for “Coming Soon” signs indicating the new arrival of restaurants with authentic ethnic cuisine. So when a friend informed me about a new ramen place on Richmond Road, I was elated to try it. The restaurant is called Ramen Talk, and it was all I could talk about the whole week.
On an adventurous Friday night, I gathered a few friends together, and we moseyed down to 1640 Richmond Road to eat. It was freezing, and the chilly wind only increased my cravings for the warm, salty, comforting broth of ramen. When we arrived, there was a beautiful reproduction of a cherry blossom tree at the entrance. Glowing paper lanterns painted in Japanese characters were found throughout the restaurant, along with cute canvas prints displayed on the walls. My first impression skyrocketed because of the adorable aesthetic that tied the place together.
At Ramen Talk’s soft opening, we had an initial miscommunication with the host, who told us that the kitchen might stop taking orders even though it was an hour and a half before closing. Hearing this made my heart sink into my growling stomach. I had been looking forward to this food for two days! My disappointment was apparent, but I didn’t let it stop me from being hopeful.
After a few minutes, a server started clearing tables and finally motioned for us to follow to be seated.
My friends and I picked up menus, admiring the pictures and growing more excited with each passing dish. My heart was set on the tonkotsu ramen and bao bun ever since I heard about Ramen Talk — like any food-obsessed person, I had browsed the menu as soon as I learned about the restaurant. Unfortunately, as we began to order, the waitress informed us that they were out of rice and that sushi and other dishes were unavailable. We were all surprised to hear they didn’t have rice because the rice items hadn’t been crossed out on the menu. Although most of us remained unbothered, one of my friends had come prepared to order the mango sushi roll.
The wait was a bit long, and I got restless. While I enjoyed the table conversation, I fought to ignore my impatient stomach. After about 40 minutes, the waitress arrived with our appetizers. The marinated juices from the tender pork belly seeped into the bao bun as I gripped it with both hands. The bun was marshmallow-soft, and my fingers formed small imprints as I brought it up to eat. Taking a bite, the food melted into my mouth, creating a heavenly, sweet flavor. It was incredible; I finished the small dish in roughly four bites, and I immediately wished I’d ordered two.
The appetizer would suffice, but my stomach would only be content for a bit longer before it would need more food. My friends and I returned to our pleasant chit-chat. We grazed over various topics, including current events, politics, Bob Marley, and ghost hunting.
Fortunately, our meals arrived quickly. The ramen was served inside a black koudaidon, a traditional ramen bowl, along with a chirirenge (ramen spoon), and a pair of chopsticks. Steam rose from what seemed like a bottomless lake of broth, wafting the fragrant aroma into my nostrils and making my mouth water.
My ramen came with a side of soft-boiled egg, bamboo shoots, corn, seaweed, and wood-ear mushrooms. The plentiful flavors of the toppings melding with the pork bone broth made the ramen delectable. The thick texture of the noodles felt high-quality, and it tasted like the dough had been hand-kneaded. As our chopsticks hit the bowls, the table grew silent. Only the eager “SLURP, SLURPs” of our hunger were evident. We were all marveling at how good the food was — we didn’t have time to talk. Only after about 20 minutes did I begin feeling full, the warm broth finally contenting my stomach. Although I wished I could have finished it all, I had to urge myself to lower my chopsticks.
I visited the restaurant again a week later. This time, the number of staff had grown, the service was quicker, and all menu items were available. Not to mention, the food was just as fabulous as before. I even got to try their fried rice!
Ramen Talk surpasses all competitors — including Domoishi, Oishii, and Poke Sushi Bowl — in the flavor and quality of food. The confusing service on my first visit was likely due to Ramen Talk being a new business. Supply chain and staff-shortage issues are completely understandable, and they have improved significantly since then.
Overall, Ramen Talk has a cute atmosphere, comfortable seats, and tasty food — it’s well worth the experience.
ZACHARY LUTZKY // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE
ZACHARY LUTZKY // FLAT HAT MAGAZINE