What: Menya Sandaime is Jersey City’s newest ramen house located at 570 Washington Boulevard, just steps away from the PATH Newport stop. Originally based in Fort Lee, NJ, this is Menya Sandaime’s first location in Jersey City.
Interior: Bright and spacious, Menya Sandaime’s Newport location has a playful Japanese theme complete with a giant Daruma doll that overlooks the restaurant. The atmosphere is inviting, but tends to lean more on the modern side with high ceilings and iPads for placing orders. The restaurant is self-service, meaning there is no wait staff to seat you. Instead you walk up to the counter, place your order, and wait for your number to be called out.
The Menu: The menu features seven types of ramen — tonkotsu, karakuchi, black, shoyu, miso, tsukemen, and ankake yaki — priced from $10.50 to $13. The shoyu, miso, and ankake can be prepared vegetarian. Extra veggies or ramen cost an additional $2, whereas extra pork belly or shrimp can be had for $3. There are also pork and shrimp gyoza as well as a mini gyudon (beef bowl). 
We Loved: I’m by no means a ramen expert, but Menya Sandaime’s house-made noodles are excellent. They’re soft, tender, and cooked to perfection. I tried their Karakuchi Ramen — which I was told is their most popular — which comes with three thick, but not overly fatty, slices of grilled pork belly. It comes in a tonkotsu broth with bean sprouts, scallions, spinach, and a marinated egg. You can get the Karakuchi Ramen as mild, medium, or hot. I ordered it medium spicy, but could have taken some more heat. Meanwhile the shrimp gyoza are pillowy and golden to perfection.
Could Be Better: They were all out of every vegetarian option the night we went. A small gripe as they’re still breaking in their new space, but still a small bummer if you don’t eat meat.
Final Take: The house-made noodles at Menya Sandaime live up to the hype and are reason enough to visit. And with prices that top off at $13, it’s one of the more affordable ramen restaurants in Jersey City.
Menya Sandaime | 570 Washington Blvd | www.menyausa.com
