After reading of some of the many wonderful noodle shops throughout the world, I was glad to discover that there was a restaurant right in my own backyard (well, not literally - I have trees in my backyard), In Ohio. It is located in a fancy shopping center called Easton in Columbus, our capital. I'll talk of each of the many components of this particular eating establishment.
Interior :
The inside was very nice. It was large, and clean, and (when I went) not very crowded. The floors were wooden and the tables covered in white. The chairs were of a nice polished wood-like substance which is common in coffee houses and the like. I noticed that they were spaced out some, which, if I were opening a shop, would definitely have - space between tables is a nice thing and of course helps the servers.
Against the far wall there was a long row with more chairs, as is seen often in noodle soups in many places. It resembles a bar of sorts.
The menu :
Restaurant Hama currently only offers ramen and noodles during their lunch menu time. Their website notes that a new lunch menu will be coming soon. I certainly hope that they continue to have ramen! Some of their selections, besides sushi (being a Japanese establishment of course) include miso and wonton soup, as well as ramen. Soba and udon noodles are both offered. One may order miso soup by itself, or with other items. One may also order ramen, however I myself do not remember seeing the option of ordering just a bowl by itself. However I am sure that if you ask, they would be happy to provide you with one. The menu itself had pictures as well, so it was easy for people to show what they liked if they so desired.
The food :
Glad to find a place which served ramen, I naturally ordered that. It was freshly made (of course) and came on a black tray. I ordered a ramen 'meal', so I also recieved 6 Califorina roll sushi, some wasabi sauce, some ginger / pickle leaves and some pickled cucumbers, which had been sliced and lightly dusted with seeds.
The noodles themselves were very good, though I found a few which were stuck together. It was only one time that it happened, so I was not too concerned. Overall they were very tasty and fresh - soft without being too soft. The soup was topped with the traditional green onions, maa shu (pork), mushrooms which had been sliced into long, narrow strips and a small slice of what tasted like fish - it was something white with a pink swirl in the center. I imagine it was fish, however I myself do not know the name of this common topping. Oh well! It's okay.
Other notes :
As well, I also had some hot tea. Green tea, which I like very much was the kind the shop served. It was very thick and the liquid was literally a dark green color.
* a special note - At the restaurant Hama, the tables do not have silverware on them - they have chopsticks. It is assumed that one knows how to use them. However, if you need a fork (I did not, myself) I am sure they can get one for you.
The meal I ordered was delicious and very filling. The bowl of soup was large and quite tasty. I shall definitely come back for lunch again!
(Posted by Geoff (twilightboy), 2002.11.13)
