Ramen Gaijin in Sebastopol, California.

A UNIQUELY SONOMA COUNTY RAMEN HOUSE & IZAKAYA

The proprietors here are dedicated to the pursuit of the ‘perfect bowl’ for each and every guest who visits. With each bite, the ingredients displayed in a delicate balance. Flavor, after flavor layer exposed. Where the locals eat.

Ramen Gaijin, opened full time in Sebastopol in December of 2014. Before that, the were a favorite local pop up. The noodle house is the brainchild of Chef / Owners Matthew Williams & Moishe Hahn-Schuman.

I enjoy sitting at the bar to get the ‘whole experience’ and watch what goes into creating that PERFECT bowl of noodles.

With an open kitchen plan, the wine country restaurant boasts a large dining room and two bar areas. One of which includes the view of all the fast paced and highly skilled kitchen action.

I dine here often. The ultimate comfort food. A nice Sparkling wine, a fruit forward Pinot Noir and a crisp German Riesling ALL pair nicely with their dishes. What fun this menu is!!

When I first was introduced to Ramen Gaijin, they were still a weekly popup which quickly found it’s own location due to the overwhelming demand, Lines out the door kinds stuff. People need their ramen, and they need it now… Damnit. Vegetarian options are very available. So are fabulous unusual specialities from Japan.

There are sooo many great reasons to visit, most notably, for the authenticity. Your Japanese grandmother would be proud. If you have a Japanese grandmother… that is. Noodle length, shape, color and thickness are all of the utmost important. So are custom made broths.

Starting with premium sourced, mostly local, ingredients and finishing with a display of skills from chefs well practiced and quite passionate about the art of the ramen bowl… Yes, please. The BEST ramen join in Northern California’s Wine Country, Sonoma County.

My favorites on the menu include:

PICKLE PLATE…
selection of seasonal tsukemono,
traditional & new

KARA-AGE…
fried chicken thigh / frill mustards
miso ranch / lemon

SHOYU RAMEN…
rye noodle / pork belly chashu / wakame
woodear mushroom / shaved leek / menma
6 minute egg

SPICY TAN TAN RAMEN…
sapporo noodle / sesame / scallion / pork belly chashu
spicy ground pork / charred cabbage / woodear /
mustards / 6 minute egg

MAGURO POKE…
line caught ahi / strong arm nori / avocado
mustards / puffed rice / chile & shoyu
vinaigrette

MARIN MIYAGI OYSTER…
raw oyster / yuzu & pomegranate mignonette / sorrel

ENJOY!!!!

My compliments to the chef.

From the Web: “Committed to honoring traditional techniques combined with the finest ingredients Sonoma County has to offer. We make all of our noodles in house and strive to produce and preserve as much as possible in season. We offer a seasonal menu consisting of traditional regional ramen styles informed by the offerings of our local farmers and ranchers. We also offer an ever changing selection of robata-yaki and small plate izakaya dishes to compliment our craft cocktails, beer, wine and sake. Ramen Gaijin is dedicated to providing a shared community space that brings together all walks of life under the umbrella of good food, good drink and joyous atmosphere.

We take pride in ensuring that everyone that comes to Ramen Gaijin has the best experience possible. We love the fact that our clientele represents all of Sonoma County. From families, to farmers, students to seniors, Ramen Gaijin does everything possible to offer an experience that all can enjoy.”