Miso Ramen has reopened for indoor dining. Located at 189 Newark Avenue along the Jersey City Pedestrian Plaza, the BYOB eatery had remained closed during much of the pandemic. (The restaurant was only accepting pickup and delivery orders). However, indoor dining has returned for budget-minded ramen fans who don’t want to trek across the Hudson for their ramen fix.
The restaurant features both bar/counter seating and traditional table seating. Tables are generously spread apart and on a recent visit, all of the staff were masked. Despite its location on the heavily-trafficked Pedestrian Plaza, Miso Raman is relatively quiet and makes for a great spot for a casual date or dinner with the fam.
As for the food — the dishes I tried were worth the wait. The vegetable dumplings are an excellent appetizer. They’re perfectly crisp along the bottom, but soft and light at the top.
Broths at Miso Ramen range from salt, tonkatsu (pork), seaweed, or miso. I opted for the seafood ramen (in miso broth), which is simmered with squid, mussels, shrimp, and scallops. Toppings include bamboo shoots, scallions, mushrooms, sesame seeds, and a soft boiled egg. Portions are generous and the house-made noodles are the star of the dish.
The mushroom ramen (in miso broth) is made with kikurage and golden mushrooms. At $14, it’s one of their less expensive ramen entrees, but don’t let its price fool you. It’s just as filling as the seafood ramen. Vegetarians might want to inquire with the kitchen as to which broths are vegetable-based.
Miso Ramen offers a few bottled teas, sodas, and mochi ice cream. With regards to price, an appetizer and two ramen bowls came out to just shy of $40, making it one of downtown’s better dinner deals.
Miso Ramen | 189 Newark Avenue | www.ramenmiso.com
