What an era to be alive! San Francisco's Ramenaissance continues this weekend with the grand opening of Mensho Ramen, the seventh location of the mini-chain from chef-owner Tomoharu Shono and the first shop outside of Tokyo as Inside Scoop observes.
The menu we'll get on Geary is going to be identical to those of the Tokyo spots, and, flattering us more than a little, Eater quotes Shono as saying we're the "most suitable as a place to send culture of the ramen to." I think he means he loves us?
Shono's business card reads: Ramen Creator, and he's known for his fanciful plays on the form, but Abram Plaut calls him a "legit ramen master," and as Hoodline explains, Plaut ought to know. The Bay Area native is a Japan-based Ramen aficionado who serves as Tokyo's Weekly Playboy Magazine ramen critic.
Plaut's influence on Shono no doubt played a part in selecting San Francisco, and here he says "I think it'll be a big hit."
Ingredients like seaweed will come from Japan, while local ingredients from farmer's markets will also play a role — Shono says they're like Disneyland to him here. One setback, though: The restaurant is still building out its noodle room, making way for a large noodle maker to create their own. So, house-made noodles won't be on the menu for another six months. We'll wait!
Mensho Tokyo, 676 Geary Street, between Leavenworth Street and Geary Boulevard
Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday to Saturday until 2 a.m.
