Zuru Zuru Ramen

As an Asian, having studied Japanese for 6 years, having lived in Kagoshima on exchange, and having returned to Japan last year on vacation... Zuru Zuru's ramen is easily the best in the city. The owner (Nick) and his team are respectful of Japanese culture and cooking technique, and the results speak for themselves. The broth is rich and tasty, the pork belly is executed very well. The side dishes, i.e. chicken karaage and gyoza are good, too. While some complain of the tight space, and the line of excited customers, it's got it's charm, and it's pretty authentic. :) As others have mentioned, the only downside are the prices. In recent times, the cost has risen and can be prohibitive to some. ---- The cheapest ramen on the menu (and luckily my favorite) is the "Shoyu" ramen which comes in a creamy, soy sauce and pork based soup, topped with fresh BIO noodles and expertly grilled BIO pork belly (Chāshū), spring onions, bamboo shoots, soybean sprouts, and marinated free-range egg, starts from EUR 20.95, but other ramen like the spicy miso start from EUR 23.50. Then, with one extra slice of grilled pork belly or chicken karaage (my partner has a good appetite), it bumps the price up to at least EUR 25.45-28.00 per bowl. I've been coming to Zuru Zuru from the start and the technique is undeniable, but for some, the portion vs price for the base ramen is a little off at the moment. Still very tasty!

Let's start with the good points which is atmosphere and interior, it's indeed very good. However, the restaurant is conflicting with its prices and atmosphere. Usually you expect bigger portions and lower prices with that kind of crowded, social japanese atmosphere. However, it was quite the oppossite.(Gyoza was 5 pieces, btw). Normal ramens around 20+ euros, you'll pay +1 for increase the spiceness and you'll pay +6 7 ish for doubling the ingredients, we ordered normal size ramens with gyoza on the side and 2 japanese style beers, we paid around 70 euros. Portions were really normal, barely make you full, with gyozas. Broth was okay, average in terms of taste. Noodles were so mediocre you expect much more in terms of price, meat and other stuff were way less than expected. Staff was kind, service was quick enough. I visited this place in 17.55, it was opening in 18.00, still i waited around 5 minutes to get seated after the opening. Place is always crowded and there is a line in front of the restaurant ,however i think restaurant is overhyped and overpriced. I won't be suprised if I eat something similar with the half of the price in somewhere around the Ghent to be honest. It was good dinner experience overall, but the concept and prices are not matching and place is unneccesarily popular than it should be. And it will be too hard for you to get seated unless you are less than 2 or 3 person.

I came here having (too?) big expectations. I LOVE ramen and been to many places for this. But I was kinda dissapointed here... although the service, atmosphere and "Japan-vibe" was really nice, the food was just okay. The broths were quite avarage for a taste, just as the noodles inside. The toppings like meat and egg were really nice though. Then, the Vegi option only had 1 small piece of tofu... c'mon? (which we also told the staff). I enjoyed the dinner but expected more.

The ramen was great and the portion sizes were good. The fried chicken/karaage was ok, nicely cooked but nothing special without the miso mayonnaise. Overall a great experience and the staff were fantastic.

The ramen, side dishes, ice tea drinks all are great, the staff is also nice and friendly, but still a little bit overpriced. We share the enthusiasm and love for Japan though.