There are few things better on a cold and blustery day than a deep bowl of hot soup. O Ramen was the first place I ever tried Tonkotsu ramen some time ago when they first opened. The rich, creamy pork-bone based broth hasn't gotten any less rich or hearty in the intervening years, nor has it at all reduced in its ability to warm me pleasantly from the inside. I didn't recall the ability to shift the flavoring to shio, shoyu, or miso when I first came here, but I like the extra step in the ordering process, as well as the ability to choose the level of spice before the great, steaming bowl of yumminess comes to the table.

Raz went for the Deluxe O Ramen with shio flavoring at spice level 4. I was feeling a little less bold and famished, so I went for the basic Tonkotsu with miso flavoring at spice level 2. Level 2 is just enough siracha to make your lips tingle after every bite and helps clear my chronically stuffy sinuses so that I can fully enjoy the nuances of the rich broth. I couldn't even get a spoon of Raz's level 4 to my lips before my face started burning from the capsaicin fumes alone, thus I can't really comment on the difference that shio v miso make on the overall flavor of the broth, and I will simply have to go back more often to decide which is my favorite. What I can say for certain is that the noodles are quality product, and have just the right level of stretchiness and slurpability to make devouring the beautifully presented bowl of ramen downright fun.

I'm definitely looking forward to going back for more on the next blustery day that finds me in the University district!