For any restaurant, Friday night is typically associated with cramped parking lots and bustling patrons: not Aji Ramen. Although customers frequently  filtered in and out of the Japanese Ramen Shop, the restaurant had a tangible sense of  "calm" to it. No one who was seated was obnoxiously loud, no one seemed stressed. Quiet conversation could be heard at every table, a comforting background noise that well mirrors the nightlife of a suburban town. The ambiance created by the restaurant through its well-decorated walls and tastefully selected lighting gave me a sense of comfort that usually is only found within the confines of my own home.

          On the pure basis of aesthetics, Aji Ramen does an excellent job: the restaurant has a particularly rustic feel to it.  The hardwood floors are a deep, dark brown. Instead of sitting on chairs, you sit on metal stools. The relatively cold temperature the restaurant is kept at emphasizes the warmth of the cuisine. One wall has a comic-like black and white mural, while other walls are decorated with strong accents of red, brown, and symbols from Japanese culture. Little trinkets or toys from Japan also line shelves, adding to a sense of genuine authenticity. The cozy atmosphere created by the restaurant makes me inclined to believe that this is one of the few restaurants that would make eating a meal by oneself not feel lonely.

          My table began our meal by splitting a "Small Plate" (which, if you did not understand, is an appetizer), the Chicken Karaage, essentially pieces of fried chicken accompanied with a small cup of Ponzu sauce (a rather uncultured member of my table claimed with certainty that it was soy sauce - he is no longer being invited to our dinner plans). The chicken was cooked to perfection - it had been fried thoroughly to achieve more of a dark brown crusted exterior compared to traditional fried chicken. It was evident that a longer time in the fryer was intentionally used in order to create a firmer, crunchier meat. Aji Ramen also seasoned the chicken well to create an excellent flavor, much different from many restaurants that serve incredibly bland fried chicken (I'm looking at you, any place that serves Dijon Honey Mustard). The Ponzu sauce was a little sweeter than what I had previously been exposed to, yet it paired incredibly with the chicken. Its thin consistency allowed it to not only coat the chicken, but also go into the meat itself. We followed up the Karaage with two orders of "Chicken Skewer Ramen". The Chicken Skewer Ramen's Spicy Miso Broth was more creamy than other Miso broths served at different restaurants, and this allowed the spice-induced heat to sit on one's tongue more, letting the flavor permeate thoroughly. I surmise that a bit of coconut milk/oil was used to give the broth this quality, which also allowed for a more diverse flavor profile compared to traditional broth. The egg in the Ramen had been boiled for the a little less than the ideal amount of time, as although the yolk was still a little fluid (which is wonderful), it broke too easily for my liking. The egg should have also been cooked within the broth for a longer amount of time, as the flavor did not necessarily marinate enough into the egg whites. The use of corn, cilantro, bok choy (nice!), and onions provided freshness and texture diversity to the dish, although I do wish there had been more variety in the vegetables as well as more vegetables altogether. The noodle used absorbed flavor very well, yet got more difficult to eat when the dish cooled substantially. The chicken skewers had been cooked excellently, giving a sweetness that complemented the nature of the broth well - the meat was firm and flavorful. The dish should be praised for creating a spicy and sweet flavor that is very palatable as well as affordable. The last portion of the meal came in the form of "Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream" - the treat managed to avoid the unpleasant bitter aftertaste of other renditions of the dessert. The mochigome shell tore well and offered a good bit of resistance, something that I find very pleasing (it's about the experience). 

          To conclude, Aji Ramen makes for an excellent restaurant through its supreme aesthetic sense, delicious food, and incredible customer service. There exists a feeling of authenticity and comfort in the air of the venue, and Aji Ramen should be thanked for the taste of Japan that they provided to Katy.

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Must Tries: Chicken Karaage, Aji Tonkotsu, Mochi Ice Cream

Price Range: Under $15

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​Overall Score: 8/10