Japanese noodle house

While down in our old South Bay haunts around New Years, we ran into a new restaurant in Mountain View, which is a hotbed of Asian food for those of you who don’t know the town. This was apparently a branch of a Japanese noodle house that had opened very recently. Their specialty was “black ramen” which was pretty much caramelized garlic soup with ramen noodles with a collection of other items (hard boiled egg, pork cutlet, vegetables) to complete the dish. I was just amazed at what this tasted like, and wanted to go back the next day if I didn’t have to head home.

Anyway, it occurred to me that I haven’t run into any places like that here in SoCo. I used to eat at Japanese noodle houses quite a bit when I lived down there – the usual Udon and Soba noodle dishes (think of the movie Tampopo). This is pretty much Japanese comfort food – filling and inexpensive. I know where to find Pho and some Chinese noodle soups, but not Japanese noodle dishes. Any suggestions? Santa Rosa preferred since I live and work here, but I’m certainly willing to drive a bit.

I don't know of any Japanese noodle houses in Santa Rosa, but when I'm craving noodles I go to Yau-Kiku on Yulupa ave and order their Soba noodle salad. I love it...cold soba noodles and greens and crispy fried tempura bits, it's delish.

Hana in Rohnert Park is best known for their sushi, but their ramen is amazing. It has the hard-boiled egg and pork belly in a rich, cloudy broth. It's only available at lunch, but we love it so much that we sometimes request it at dinner. If they're not too busy, they will oblige. Their soba is also good, but I always go back to the ramen.

There is "Lee's Noodle House" at Coffey & Airway ---> Southwest corner strip mall.