Honestly I'd save my money with this crew and make ramen at home with a box of chicken broth, leftover meat, and some frozen peas. Maybe make soy sauce eggs so it feels more exotic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just do pho bc the flavors are more straightforward…if you’re dead set on forcing someone to eat Asian noodles.

I have to disagree. For the novice, the Pho broth can be overwhelming. Ramen broth is more subtle in flavors (Shoya) and close to the Top Ramen they've probably had already.

Pho broth is spice forward with lemongrass and other things - not spicy but not "plain" broth.

I am also confused by the pho suggestion. The broth is definitely less familiar. Ramen noodles, especially if you get curly, are way easier to manage than pho noodles.

I love pho, but if you are looking to chain from something like chicken noodle soup, ramen broth with noodles and meat is a good next step.

+1. I love Japanese food, but do not like the flavor profile of pho at all. I find ramen to be much more mild and (to me) palatable as someone who doesn’t love unfamiliar spices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would just do pho bc the flavors are more straightforward…if you’re dead set on forcing someone to eat Asian noodles.

I have to disagree. For the novice, the Pho broth can be overwhelming. Ramen broth is more subtle in flavors (Shoya) and close to the Top Ramen they've probably had already.

Pho broth is spice forward with lemongrass and other things - not spicy but not "plain" broth.

I am also confused by the pho suggestion. The broth is definitely less familiar. Ramen noodles, especially if you get curly, are way easier to manage than pho noodles.

I love pho, but if you are looking to chain from something like chicken noodle soup, ramen broth with noodles and meat is a good next step.

Anonymous wrote:Who are these people you are taking?

Are they your children, where it's your job to introduce them to food in which case this is reasonable, or are they other people?

If they are your children, I'd pick some place that is available something like Uber eats, so you can pull up the menu, see exactly what's in each dish, and talk them through before you go. Usually you can leave anything off, and I would approach it as "We're going to get noodles and broth, and here are some choices of what you can add if you want . . . " and then go through each thing.

Then write down what they chose to order, and help them order in the restaurant.

If these are not your minor children, then plan an outing that doesn't involve value judgment.

Why? Enabling picky eating should be value-judged.

Anonymous wrote:I would just do pho bc the flavors are more straightforward…if you’re dead set on forcing someone to eat Asian noodles.

I have to disagree. For the novice, the Pho broth can be overwhelming. Ramen broth is more subtle in flavors (Shoya) and close to the Top Ramen they've probably had already.

Pho broth is spice forward with lemongrass and other things - not spicy but not "plain" broth.

Not OP but appreciate the ideas for kids at Jinya. So helpful!

At Jinya, my picky eaters ordered the chicken ramen, no vegetables. Broth, noodles, chicken. Over the years they've added in other elements but Jinya is VERY easy for ramen novices.

I think any local place near you is good enough to introduce new people to ramen. They really aren't going to know the difference between decent vs good vs amazing. Then have the one newbie get shio (salt) and and the other shoyu (soy sauce) and taste test each one. (These are the most basic tastes that most Americans can deal with) Then other people get Miso and/or Tonkatsu and let them taste the broth.

Ask for their toppings to be put on the side. Most people like the chashu pork and the ramen eggs (ajitsuke tamago or ajitama)but having it on the side allows them to try at their own pace.

If you want to make really good ramen at home, buy Sun Noodles. You can find it at Wegmans (Asian frozen or refrigerated section) some Whole Foods and Lotte. But only get it if it's in the freezer. The noodles are very fresh and go bad really easy if they are just refrigerated. If you do buy it refrigerated, check to see if they've gone moldy and cook immediately.
https://www.sunnoodle.com/

I would just do pho bc the flavors are more straightforward…if you’re dead set on forcing someone to eat Asian noodles.

My picky eater likes the shoyu at Menya Hosaki. We get take out and add steamed tofu at home.

Anonymous wrote:Jinya ramen

This is most approachable

Jinya Pike and Rose has a kids’ meal that has “noodles and broth” with a side of Japanese fried chicken, a few fries, and comes with a lollipop and a tiny scoop of ice cream for dessert. It’s a hit with my six year-old. There’s a vegetarian kids’ option too, we haven’t tried that one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jinya ramen

This - you can get fancy or plain, with whatever you want. So if you want miso broth and noodles only, that’s what you order.

The Jinya menu is very confusing. No go for newbies.

You can literally just get noodles and broth there.